Comparing School Based Interventions for Adolescents With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Approximately 50% to 70% of children who had ADHD continue to meet its criteria in adolescence, but the problems stemming from adolescent ADHD can be more serious-including an increased risk of substance use, delinquency, academic failure, serious social impairment, and legal problems. Problems in school more than double when students with ADHD move from elementary school to middle and high school.

Treating ADHD with medications alone is often ineffective, but adding other methods, such as behavioral treatments, may be beneficial. Researchers have developed a psychosocial treatment for adolescents with ADHD, called the Challenging Horizons Program (CHP), that is delivered in school and targets social impairment, family conflict, and academic failure. Two versions of CHP were developed, an after-school model and a consultation model. The after-school model involves 2 to 3 days of individualized treatment per week and has a higher cost than the consultation model because it involves hiring specialized counseling staff and finding space to house the program after school. The consultation model involves teaching CHP intervention strategies to school staff, who then mentor students with ADHD and deliver interventions as needed to solve problems. This model is less expensive, but it does not deliver treatment as often or consistently as the after-school model. This study will compare the after-school and consultation models of the CHP to determine their relative efficacy and cost effectiveness. The study will also evaluate factors that may predict which adolescents would benefit most from either of the two models.

Participation in this study will last a full school year. Participants from schools taking part will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: after-school CHP, consultation CHP, or standard community care. Participants receiving after-school CHP will attend two 2.5-hour after-school sessions per week in which they will work with counselors on homework management, educational skills, and interpersonal skills. Participants receiving consultation CHP will be assigned a teacher mentor (who will volunteer to work with the student), and the mentor and student will meet as needed. A study clinician will provide support to the teacher mentors, who will learn the same interventions as counselors in the after-school condition. Participants in the community care condition will not receive any intervention but will receive a list of community psychosocial and medical service providers for children and their families. All participants will undergo study assessments pre-treatment; in November, January, and March of the school year; post-treatment; and at a 6-month follow-up. Assessments will include questionnaires and clinical interviews completed by student, their parents, and their teachers. ADHD symptoms, academic performance, relevant skills of adolescents, and program costs will be assessed.