Alternative Title

Overdiagnosis of ADHD in minority boys with the potential of PTSD

Publication Date

2016

Document Type

Masters Thesis

Study Type

Qualitative

Department

School for Social Work

Keywords

Hispanic American boys-Mental health, Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder-Diagnosis, Post-traumatic stress disorder in children-Diagnosis, ADHD & PTSD in Latino boys

Abstract

Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder is a common diagnoses for school aged children. Studies have indicated that within these diagnoses children of color are disproportionately diagnosed in comparison to their white counter parts. Many have questioned whether this disproportionately comes from a lack of cultural awareness on the part of the clinician and/or a potential misdiagnosis of trauma that be being missed throughout the evaluation process. In this study 6 licensed social workers who have worked with Latino boy in the past were interviewed. They were asked to discuss their evaluation process and what measures they take to rule out a potential trauma diagnosis. The study was able to not only explore their varying methods but also the barriers they encounter throughout their process. Findings indicate that every participant varied in their techniques of diagnosing. While their techniques seemed to differ there was found to be commonality in the barriers they faced when diagnosing and how that impacted their work.

Language

English

Comments

iii, 38 pages. M.S.W., Smith College School for Social Work, Northampton, Ma., 2016. Includes bibliographical references (pages 31-32)

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