- Normalization and hesitation
- Stigmatization and fear
- Action and advocacy
- Communications and navigation
- Care and validation
- Preparation and transition
Difficulties and conflicts can occur when parents and health care providers are at different stages in the process, which the researchers call stage mismatch.
Throughout each stage, interventions can be offered to support families and help them make a successful step to the next stage. Many Black parents in stage two note that they faced discrimination based on race or ethnicity intersected with ADHD stigma in their community, which led to delays in care. Those discriminations note a further need for interventions, which would target discrimination and bias among healthcare providers, as well as address misconceptions about ADHD within families and communities.
“Parents were successful when support was provided in a way that matches their own stage of engagement,” Spencer notes.
“Using the Six Stages framework could allow the health system to better match the needs of children with ADHD whose families are at different stages of their engagement process.”
You May Also Like
The authors said future research to refine the model should examine: the experiences of families with undiagnosed and untreated children; age of diagnosis and years of treatment, and how families of specific racial or ethnic groups may progress differently through the stages.
RELATED: Calm Parents Can Help Calm Kids With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
What else can you do to support your child?
Although parenting a child with ADHD may come with some challenges and unconscious bias, your child can still accomplish success as long as you are patient, honest and transparent with them.
It also helps to remember the following:
You May Also Like
- Everyone responds differently to ADHD medication
- Medication for ADHD is more effective when combined with other treatments
- ADHD medication should always be closely monitored
- If you choose to put your child on medication, that doesn’t mean they have to stay on it forever
Additionally, remember that treatments start at home. So making sure your child is eating a healthy diet, getting plenty of exercise and sleep, and making other smart daily choices can help manage any symptoms of ADHD.
