Quality Management Information for Providers
Preventive Behavioral Health Program
Attention Deficit Disorder: Your Child and You
Information for Providers
QUEST BEHAVIORAL HEALTH (QUEST) offers a preventive health program for parents of children who are being assessed for, or have been diagnosed with, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). This program is designed to improve clinical outcomes for both children and their parents by educating parents about the disorder and how to work more effectively with their children.
This educational program complements the care which you provide. Together with your support, QUEST can help parents recognize the effect of ADHD on their lives, and the lives of their children. This program can help teach parents to take active steps to foster communication, help modify problem behaviors in the home, and reduce the distress which they and other family members may experience in caring for a child with ADHD.
Information about the program follows along with a description of what you can do to assist us in this important preventive health initiative which we believe will have a positive benefit for the children in your care.
Why has QUEST implemented this program?
Attention deficit and disruptive behavior disorders are among the top diagnoses for children (ages 0-12 years) whose behavioral health care is managed by QUEST. Care for children with ADHD extends beyond medication management and behavioral therapy with the child. Important in helping children with ADHD is the development of a family environment in which the child can prosper and feel supported. In treating a child with ADHD, the role of the parents in helping their child is critical. This program helps parents learn how they can shape their child's behaviors and how they can provide an emotionally supportive and productive environment for their child with ADHD.
Parenting a child with ADHD can be an exhausting and frustrating experience, one often leaving a parent feeling helpless and without support or understanding. Such parents may be strained or unable to meet the special demands which parenting a child with ADHD requires. Empowering parents through education and training can be an effective way to help parents learn to cope. Teaching parents skills, which translate into parenting approaches appropriate to the unique needs of children with ADHD, can help restore a sense of capability and confidence for parents and can help their child become more focused and productive.
What are the goals of QUEST'S program?
The goals of this program are to
- Educate parents about ADHD.
- Help parents develop more effective ways or relating, rewarding and disciplining their children.
- Help parents cope with the emotional toll which parenting a child with ADHD can have.
What are the criteria for inclusion in this program?
This program is directed at parents of children age 12 and younger who have been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (DSM-IV codes 314.00; 314.01 and 314.9) as a primary or secondary Axis I diagnosis.
What interventions does the program include?
This program consists of several educational modules, which will be mailed to parents of children who have recently received authorization for evaluation or treatment of ADHD. Copies of these modules are included with this program overview.
The first module helps educate parents about ADHD and suggests ways in which they might begin to assess how ADHD affects their child's life. The second module educates parents about effective ways to think about their child's experience. It teaches parents how to communicate with their child and how to use structure reinforcements and discipline in an optimal way. Finally, because parenting a child with ADHD can be difficult and stressful, the third and last module addresses ways parents can take better care of themselves by suggesting ways they can creatively cope with the stress which they may experience.
How will this program be made available to members?
At least annually, QUEST will inform its members about this preventive behavioral health program. This information will be communicated to members through member newsletters, materials mailed along with authorization letters or by asking you to make materials available in your office. Members will be encouraged to take advantage of the program and will be told how to obtain the materials. Parents of children who meet diagnostic eligibility criteria based on authorization and treatment plan data will automatically receive an introductory letter describing the program and information on how to opt out of the program if they desire.
The educational modules described above will be mailed out to participating members. Following the introductory letter, newsletters will be mailed out approximately every four weeks. If members choose not to participate in the program or wish to have the newsletters sent to a different address they can call a toll-free number.
How will this program be evaluated?
Assessing the effect of this program is important for improving and further developing materials and services offered through QUEST. Two weeks after the final educational module is mailed out, a sample of members will be contacted by mail or phone to assess the perceived benefit of the overall program using a brief questionnaire.
What can you do as a provider?
This prevention program is designed to increase parental knowledge of how to more effectively work with, and cope with, the problems their child faces. Helping parents develop effective skills can have a more positive clinical outcome for the child whom you have evaluated or to whom you may be providing services.
Your support for this program is important to us. While QUEST will contact members automatically through the identification processes discussed above, you are encouraged to inform parents of children with ADHD about the program and to call us at 1-800-364-6352 with the name of any member who meets inclusion criteria.
Participating parents may have questions or may seek further information from you regarding issues discussed in the educational materials. We've included ADHD information that we request you copy and distribute to member's who meet the criteria for inclusion in the program. We believe the educational materials will help parents understand the basics upon which you can build to help them further develop or practice the skills necessary for effectively parenting a child with ADHD.
Included with this program description are copies of the introductory letter and the three educational newsletters that will be mailed to members participating in the program. Please take time to read these materials and give us your feedback. It is our hope that you find these materials a valuable addition to the care you provide.
Should you have any questions or concerns, we would be pleased to address them. To discuss the program, please contact Quality Management at 1-800-364-6352.
