ADHD and race: What Black families need to know

Is ADHD more likely to be overlooked in Black kids? Or is it overdiagnosed?  

In this episode, pediatrician Dr. Tumaini Coker shares insights on ADHD and race. Learn about Dr. Coker’s research into health equity and how clinics can help reduce the racial disparities in diagnosing and treating ADHD in children of color.  

You’ll also get practical tips for parents from an expert who has a personal connection to ADHD. Listen as Dr. Coker talks about stigma and other challenges her family faced when her twin boys showed signs of ADHD in grade school. 

Get a transcript for this episode and check out more Opportunity Gap episodes at u.org/opportunitygap.  

Comments? Email us at opportunitygap@understood.org.  

Research cited in this podcast

• Diagnostic and Medication Treatment Disparities in African American Children with ADHD: A Literature Review
• Racial and Ethnic Disparities in ADHD Diagnosis and Treatment

Related resources for families

• Common signs of ADHD at different ages
• What an in-depth ADHD evaluation should look like
• How can I find out if my child was misdiagnosed with ADHD?

Listen to Everyone Gets a Juice Box, a new podcast from Understood.org where host Jessica Shaw has honest talks with parents raising kids who learn and think differently.

Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

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