ADHD Service Use Patterns in Youth

ObjectiveTo review what is currently known about service use by youth with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and discuss research and policy implications.MethodsLiterature review.ResultsThe primary care, mental health, and educational service system sectors all play an essential role in caring for youth with ADHD. Recent studies also suggest increasing use of stimulants and other psychoactive medication for youth with ADHD, decreasing mental health visits for ADHD unassociated with medication use, increased use of other psychotropic medications, and a number of barriers to care coordination across primary care, mental health, and schools.ConclusionsFour important services, research, and policy areas that need to be addressed over the next decade include: 1) delving deeper into current service use, 2) paying attention to the context in which service use occurs, 3) operationalizing evidence-based care for real-world settings, and 4) learning what changes clinician and educator behavior.