51.2 CHALLENGES WITH MANAGING CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS WITH ADHD DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC: A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly altered the lives of children and families Children with ADHD, one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders, are vulnerable to the effects of the pandemic This literature review examined the potential challenges of management and risks to children with ADHD and their families during the pandemic Methods: A literature review was conducted on the topic of children with ADHD during the pandemic We searched the following online databases: PubMed, Google Scholar, PsycINFO, and Web of Science using keywords related to “ADHD” and “COVID ” All article types were included and published in English PubMed and Google Scholar yielded 9 articles that met the relevance criteria Results: The literature indicates that externalizing behaviors significantly increased in children with ADHD during the pandemic and that both children and parents\u0027 overall mood state significantly predicted those behaviors Impulsivity was found to interfere with compliance with public health guidelines, such as hygiene and social distancing Hyperactivity was difficult to manage during quarantine restrictions that reduced access to physical activity outdoors Social isolation could exacerbate underlying social vulnerability Emotional dysregulation and oppositional behavior increased strain on families Parents of children with ADHD have increased child-rearing stress, which may be amplified during the pandemic Finally, school closures and reduced primary care visits have decreased access to mental health care and reduced referral rates Guidelines were published to help navigate remote management and treatment of this population during the pandemic Conclusions: This review identified children with ADHD as a vulnerable population that requires research and clinician attention during the pandemic The risk for worsening ADHD symptoms under quarantine highlighted the need for more home-based interventions and symptom monitoring by families and providers There is a need to identify interventions to address challenges associated with parenting children with ADHD under quarantine and to assess the efficacy of telehealth in this population during a pandemic Additional studies are warranted to better understand the impact of the pandemic on children and adolescents with ADHD ADHD, OTH