Co-Chairs

Anne Arnett, PhD
Boston Children's Hospital
(term expires 2026)

Veronica Meneses, MD, MSHS
Yale University School of Medicine
(term expires 2027)

Goals/Mission
  • To provide a forum for dialogue among SDBP members on ADHD clinical care, practice issues, quality improvement efforts, and research advances.
Past/Current Projects
  • Development of ADHD Maintenance of Certification Modules for the American Board of Pediatrics
  • Participation in the ADHD Forum on the SDBP Discussion Board
  • Leadership of ADHD SIG meeting (with provision of CME) at the SDBP annual conference
  • Formation of ADHD Resource Clearinghouse for SDBP site
  • Development of DB Peds-specific ADHD clinical practice guideline
  • Establishment of alliances with related professional organizations

New Members always welcome! Please contact the SIG chairs for further information.

Members' Expected Time Commitment/Involvement

  • Participate in group activities of interest
  • Attend ADHD SIG meeting at SDBP annual conference
Recent Activity
  • An ADHD SIG subcommittee is currently working on developing a new American Board of Pediatrics ADHD Maintenance of Certification Module based on recent research advances.
  • The SDBP Board is currently reviewing our recently submitted Statement of Intent to develop a DB Peds-specific clinical practice guideline for the treatment of complex ADHD. The proposed guideline will focus on the following high-priority clinical content areas, as determined through a recent survey of SDBP members: ADHD comorbidity with learning, anxiety, depression, and externalizing disorders. The guideline will emphasize interprofessional collaborative practice as a norm. We intend to address the following areas that were beyond the scope of the AAP guidelines:
    • Pharmacological treatment for complex ADHD (ADHD with comorbid learning and/or psychiatric conditions), to the extent that evidence exists or expert consensus is available
    • Evidence-based behavioral and psychological interventions for children and adolescents with ADHD who have more complex mental health and learning needs
  • Our ADHD resource committee, led by Dr. Michael Ching, is gathering patient and professional resources for posting on the SDBP website.
  • The ADHD Forum is thriving on the SDBP Discussion Board. The SIG leadership makes periodic posts to the Forum about recent research advances, clinical issues, and public/media controversies. Dr. Adrian Sandler is currently serving as our ADHD Content Expert who is called upon to weigh in as needed for ADHD-related queries and issues on the SDBP Discussion Board.
  • We are currently working to forge alliances with related professional and patient organizations. Many of our SIG members have strong relationships with Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD) nationally as well as with their local CHADD chapters. This year Dr. Tanya Froehlich presented a CHADD webinar entitled “Developmental-Behavioral Pediatricians: Who We Are and How We Can Help Kids with ADHD.” At present, the SIG is also exploring the benefits and logistics of an alliance with the American Professional Society of ADHD and Related Disorders (APSARD).

Useful Resouces/External Links

Clinical Practice Guidelines

Websites for Professionals

Contains Vanderbilt forms and tons of useful handouts on topics such as educational rights, how to establish a school/home daily behavior report card, sleep issues, ADHD on-line resources, etc.

The ADHD Medication Guide© is a visual aid for professionals caring for individuals with ADHD. The guide includes only medications indicated for the treatment of ADHD by the FDA.

A multi-disciplinary, professional organization, APSARD's goal is to improve outcomes for individuals with ADHD and their families by promoting research throughout the lifespan on ADHD and disseminating evidence-based practices and education.

Websites for Families

The foremost ADHD-related organization for families whose mission is to provide education, advocacy and support for individuals with ADHD.

A program of CHADD that contains a wealth of information for professionals and families about ADHD diagnosis, treatment, educational issues, dealing with systems (legal, insurance, and public benefits), and living with ADHD (e.g., information on coaching, parenting, relationships, managing money, recommended books, etc).

Books

Books for Parents - General ADHD

  • Taking Charge of ADHD - Revised Edition: The Complete Authoritative Guide for Parents by Dr. Russell BarkleyWritten by one of the world's foremost experts on ADHD, in this book Dr. Russell Barkey provides parents with well-documented effective strategies and interventions that they can use to improve their child's ability to pay attention and stay focused.
  • Driven to Distraction: Recognizing and Coping with Attention Deficit Disorder from Childhood through Adulthood by Dr. Edward Hallowell and Dr. John RateyThis book provides an excellent overview of ADHD, discusses the strengths of people with ADHD and shows how positive outcomes can be achieved. It helps the readers recognize some of the difficulties posed by the educational and social environments.
  • Thom Hartmann's Complete Guide to ADHD: Help for Your Family at Home, School and Work by Thom HartmannIn this book, Thom Hartmann combines the best of his previous books with important new information. In the new chapters, Hartmann looks at how and why America's school system fails to assist children diagnosed with ADHD and urges parents to find alternative means of educating their children when this happens.
  • Attention Deficit Disorder: A Different Perception by Thom HartmannThe view of the positive aspects of ADHD is presented in this book and tries to balance them with the difficulties encountered.
  • You Mean I'm Not Lazy, Stupid or Crazy?! A Self-Help Book for Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder by Kate Kelly and Peggy RamundoThis book was written with the adult population in mind. It addresses all aspects of ADHD and how it affects daily life. It is especially refreshing for adults who see that they have had the condition their whole lives.
  • ADHD Book: Living Right Now by Dr. Martin L. KutscherThis title was written by a physician when he heard parents of ADHD kids say that they did not have time to read long books. He does a good job of discussing the features of ADHD and the various treatments and helps parents to see the value of strategies at home.
  • ADD/ADHD Behavior Change Resource Kit: Ready to Use Strategies and Activities for Helping Children with Attention Deficit Disorder by Dr. Grad L. FlickThe author has provided a set of strategies for use by children, parents, teachers, physicians, counselors and mental health professionals to help people with ADHD in school, at home and in social situations. It contains various charts and tables that can be copied for use in the various settings.
  • How to Reach and Teach Children with ADD/ADHD: Practical Techniques, Strategies, and Interventions, 2nd Edition by Sandra F. RiefThis volume covers grades K-12 and offers many strategies that can be used at school and home. It contains stories of students and their outcomes over time. It is a good reference and selected sections can be used depending upon need.
  • ADHD: What Every Parent Needs to Know. Reiff, M. I., & Pediatrics, A. A. of. (2011). American Academy of Pediatrics.
  • The ADD/ADHD checklist. Rief, S. F. (2008). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
  • The ADHD Book of Lists: A Practical Guide for Helping Children and Teens with Attention Deficit Disorders. Rief, S. F. (2015). John Wiley & Sons.

Books for Parents - Organization

  • Get organized without losing it. Fox, J. S., & Espeland, P. (2006). Minneapolis, MN: Free Spirit Pub.
  • The organized student: teaching children the skills for success in school and beyond. Goldberg, D., & Zwiebel, J. (2005). New York: Simon & Schuster.
  • How to do homework without throwing up. Romain, T., & Verdick, E. (1997). Minneapolis, MN: Free Spirit.

Books for Parents - Executive Functioning

  • Academic success strategies for adolescents with learning disabilities and ADHD. Minskoff, E. H., & Allsopp, D. (2003). Baltimore, Md.: P.H. Brookes.
  • How to reach and teach children with ADD/ADHD: practical techniques, strategies, and interventions. Rief, S. F. (2005). San Francisco, Calif.: Jossey-Bass.

Books for Parents - General Behavior/Emotion

  • SOS help for emotions: managing anxiety, anger, and depression. Clark, L. (2002). Bowling Green, KY: SOS Programs and Parents Press.
  • SOS help for parents: a practical guide for handling common everyday behavior problems. Clark, L., & Robb, J. (2005). Bowling Green, KY: SOS Programs & Parents Press.
  • 1-2-3 Magic: Effective Discipline for Children 2–12. Phelan, T. W. (2014). ParentMagic, Inc.

Books for Children

  • Otto Learns About His Medicine: A Story about Medication for Children with ADHD by Dr. Matthew GalvinOtto is a high-octane young car whose motor runs too fast. Otto and his parents visit a pit crew of special mechanics who prescribe a medicine to help slow down Otto's racing motor and help him find ways to be more focused and organized. This new edition of a classic resource for young children and their families includes the latest advances in the understanding of ADHD. An expanded Note to Parents by the author discusses treatment approaches and current findings about medications, including their possible side effects. Ages 4-8.
  • Jumpin' Johnny, Get Back to Work! A Child's Guide to ADHD/Hyperactivity by Dr. Michael GordonThis animated cartoon, aimed for grades K-5, tells Jumpin' Johnny's story so cleverly that even the most fidgety of youngsters will play close attention. ADHD children can learn about their problem in a format that will hold their interest and motivate them to become part of the treatment process. Ages 5-10.
  • Pay Attention, Slosh! by Smith & PiazzaAlthough he's smart when it comes to computers and math, Josh also has ADHD--Attention Deficit with Hyperactivity Disorder. After talking to his teacher, Josh's parents decide to take him to a doctor, and things start looking up. Best of all, over time, Josh's classmates come to appreciate him as just another one of the guys. This book is done in a Superfudge/Judy Blume chapter book style that resonates well with the 1st-4th grade set.
  • Making the Grade: An Adolescent's Struggle with ADD by Roberta ParkerThis is a story of a seventh grader who finds his problems with self-control and inattention threaten his chances of success scholastically and athletically. There is a section of the book which provides answers to commonly asked questions about ADD which offers vital information to young readers. Ages 9-12.
  • The Adventures of Captain Underpants by Dave PilkeyThis is a series based on the adventures of two boys who have ADHD. It is written for children but provides some imaginable examples of what can happen.
  • Learning Outside the Lines by Jonathan Mooney and David ColeThis book was written by two students who both have ADHD and learning disabilities and who ended up at Ivy League schools. It is targeted at students and provides them with strategies to use at school.

Helpful Articles for Professionals (a nascent list)

  • Childress, A. and F. Sallee (2014). "Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder with Inadequate Response to Stimulants: Approaches to Management." CNS Drugs 28(2): 121-129.
  • Cortese, S., et al. (2013). "Assessment and Management of Sleep Problems in Youths With Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder." Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry 52(8): 784-796.
  • Cortese, S., et al. (2013). "Practitioner Review: Current best practice in the management of adverse events during treatment with ADHD medications in children and adolescents." Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry 54(3): 227-246.
  • Evans, S. W., et al. (2013). "Evidence-Based Psychosocial Treatments for Children and Adolescents with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder." Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology 43(4): 527-551.
  • Harstad, E. B., et al. (2014). "ADHD, Stimulant Treatment, and Growth: A Longitudinal Study." Pediatrics 134(4): e935-e944.
  • Humphreys, K. L., et al. (2013). "Stimulant medication and substance use outcomes: A meta-analysis." JAMA Psychiatry 70(7): 740-749.
  • Koolwijk, I., et al. (2014). "“Complex” Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, More Norm Than Exception? Diagnoses and Comorbidities in a Developmental Clinic." Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics 35(9): 591-597.
  • Rapport, M. D., et al. (2013). "Do programs designed to train working memory, other executive functions, and attention benefit children with ADHD? A meta-analytic review of cognitive, academic, and behavioral outcomes." Clinical Psychology Review 33(8): 1237-1252.