title: Disparities in identification of comorbid diagnoses in children with ADHD.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study explores disparities in identification of educationally relevant comorbidities and medication prescribing practices for children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and either comprehensive neurodevelopmental evaluations or evaluations limited by insurance to behavior management with medication.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was a retrospective chart review of 5- to 10-year-old children with ADHD diagnosed at the initial evaluation. Data collected included demographics, rates of comorbid conditions, medication management, and educational interventions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 2 groups were similar in age, educational supports, and medication management. The group with insurance permitting comprehensive evaluations was more likely to be Caucasian, have higher parental education levels, and have more comorbid conditions identified with academic impact.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  School-aged children with ADHD are likely to receive similar educational and medication management despite differences in evaluations. However, our data suggest that children who received comprehensive evaluations had greater identification of comorbid conditions that may influence academic, behavioral, and social outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Tanjala T
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Gipson
authors.affiliation: Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA lance@kennedykrieger.org.
authors.forename: Eboni I
authors.initials: EI
authors.lastname: Lance
authors.affiliation: Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Rebecca A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Albury
authors.affiliation: Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Maura B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Gentner
authors.affiliation: Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Mary L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Leppert
mesh_terms: D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015897:Comorbidity; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D054625:Healthcare Disparities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007349:Insurance, Health, Reimbursement / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies
keywords: attention-deficit hyperactive disorder; comorbidity; polypharmacy