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Diagnosis and management of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in children and adults with and without learning disability

Lucena Clinic, 59 Orwell Road, Rathgar, Dublin 6, Ireland and Centre of Disability Studies, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland, e-mail: sarahbuckley{at}o2.ie

Philip Dodd, Consultant Psychiatrist in Learning Disability

St Michael’s House, Dublin and Centre of Disability Studies, University College, Dublin

Amanda Burke, Consultant Childand Adolescent Psychiatrist

Child and Family Guidance Centre, Roscommon

Suzanne Guerin, Lecturer in Design and Psychology

Department of Psychology and Centre of Disability Studies, University College Dublin

John McEvoy, Lecturer in Psychology

Centre of Disability Studies, University College Dublin and School of Nursing, Health Studies and Allied Sciences, Dundalk Institute of Technology, Dundalk

John Hillery, Consultant Psychiatrist in Learning Disability

Centre of Disability Studies, University College Dublin and Stewart’s Hospital Services, Palmerstown, Dublin 20, Ireland

Declaration of interest

None.

AIMS AND METHOD

Anecdotal evidence suggests that attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is underdiagnosed in adults and people of all ages with learning disability. This study examines the clinical practice of Irish consultant psychiatrists when assessing and treating symptoms of ADHD in children and adults with and without a learning disability. A postal questionnaire was sent to 302 consultant psychiatrists working in Ireland.

RESULTS

Ninety-seven consultants (32%) responded, 62 working in general adult psychiatry, 23 in child and adolescent psychiatry and 12 in learning disability. Overall, respondents were more confident about making a diagnosis of ADHD in people without a learning disability. Those working with children were significantly more confident in diagnosing and treating ADHD than those working with adults, irrespective of whether the patient had a learning disability.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

There is general agreement that symptoms of ADHD exist in children and adults both with and without a learning disability. It is likely that ADHD may be undertreated in patients with learning disability, especially in the adult population.

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