Early Childhood Adversity and ADHD with Dr Mark Kennedy

Why is there such a large disconnect between the research and practice with adopted children?

In this episode of the All Aboard ADHD Podcast, Claire is joined by expert guest, Dr Mark Kennedy to discuss the link between early adversity and ADHD in adopted children.

Dr Mark is a Senior Lecturer program lead and a researcher on the English and Romanian adoptees study at King's College London. His PhD focused on modern applications of attachment theory and his postdoctoral work has focused on the developmental outcomes of extreme early adversity, including ADHD, neurodevelopmental disorders, attachment, and mental health. 

Mark and Claire begin by looking at connections between early adversity and ADHD in adopted children. Mark highlights how misdiagnosis of ADHD can often occur due to assumptions about attachment issues that stem from studies carried out in the 1980s and 1990s. He goes on to shed light on some of the more recent research and the incorrect assumptions that have led to an under-diagnosis of ADHD and over-diagnosis of attachment issues. For example, children who have a history of issues such as institutional deprivation have a much higher likelihood of having ADHD than people without those experiences.

Mark also shares some fascinating insight from research studies on the adult outcomes of children with ADHD symptoms in childhood, stressing the importance of early intervention to ensure better outcomes for adopted children. Shockingly, the rates of unemployment were 88% in one study, alongside outcomes such as higher rates of mental health problems and lower rates of educational attainment. However, with the right information, alongside evidence-based treatment or support options, outcomes can be significantly better.

One of Mark’s driving forces is raising awareness of ADHD and supporting adoptive parents with good-quality information. Therefore Mark created the King's College London “Understanding ADHD, Current Research and Practice” MOOC (massive online open course) accredited by the CPD.

You can undertake this course for free to learn more about ADHD, including symptoms, the latest research, and treatment. So far, over 114,000 people have enrolled for the course designed to help change attitudes around ADHD.

Sign up for Mark’s FREE course here.