ROAR-Early Childhood: Pilot Testing a Brief Telemedicine Parent Training Program for Rural Children Diagnosed with ADHD

OBJECTIVE: Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a chronic and impairing neurodevelopmental disorder diagnosed in approximately 2% to 4% of preschool-age children and 9% of all children. Behavioral parent training (BPT) and high-quality education are effective treatments for young children with ADHD; however, poor rates of treatment access and participation limit the reach of BPTs to rural and underserved communities. In this study, we tested the newly developed Rural Outreach and ADHD Research-Early Childhood (ROAR-EC) program, a clinician-led, 7-session education and parent training program designed for delivery over telemedicine. METHOD: = 4.8; 62% male; 96% White; 89% non-Hispanic/Latinx). Families were randomized into either ROAR-EC or treatment as usual through developmental pediatrics and followed for 24 weeks. Assessed were metrics of feasibility, acceptability, parenting practices, caregiver empowerment, disruptive behaviors, and ADHD symptoms. RESULTS: Results indicated that ROAR-EC was feasible to implement and acceptable to caregivers. Repeated measures ANOVAs found significant group × time interaction effects in favor of the treatment group compared to control for family empowerment, parenting practices, total behavior problems, impairment, and inattentive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated the promise of brief telemedicine programs as feasible, acceptable, and likely beneficial alternatives to traditional BPTs for young children with ADHD in rural and low-resource areas.