| Title: |
ROAR-Early Childhood: Pilot Testing a Brief Telemedicine Parent Training Program for Rural Children Diagnosed with ADHD |
| Language: |
English |
| Authors: |
James T. Craig; Michael T. Sanders; Christina C. Moore; Erin Barnett; Kady F. Sternberg (ORCID 0009-0008-1262-1222); Nicole L. Breslend; Lauren C. Vazquez; Nina Sand-Loud; Mary K. Jankowski |
| Source: |
Journal of Attention Disorders. 2026 30(7):857-871. |
| Availability: |
SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com |
| Peer Reviewed: |
Y |
| Page Count: |
15 |
| Publication Date: |
2026 |
| Sponsoring Agency: |
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) (DHHS/PHS) |
| Contract Number: |
H79SM082302 |
| Document Type: |
Journal Articles; Reports - Research |
| Education Level: |
Adult Education |
| Descriptors: |
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder; Rural Areas; Teleconferencing; Parent Education; Outreach Programs; Program Effectiveness; Young Children; Empowerment; Behavior Problems; Symptoms (Individual Disorders); Feasibility Studies; Telecommunications; Educational Technology; Access to Education |
| Geographic Terms: |
New Hampshire |
| Assessment and Survey Identifiers: |
Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory |
| DOI: |
10.1177/10870547251415434 |
| ISSN: |
1087-0547; 1557-1246 |
| Abstract: |
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: We conducted a pilot RCT to assess the feasibility, acceptability, engagement of mechanism, and exploratory group × time effects of the ROAR-EC program compared to a control group in a sample of 44 children diagnosed with ADHD from a predominantly rural area (ages 3-7; Mage = 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. |
| Abstractor: |
As Provided |
| Entry Date: |
2026 |
| Accession Number: |
EJ1507677 |
| Database: |
ERIC |