Context:There is a lacuna of studies on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in the Indian context.Aims:(i) To identify the prevalence of ADHD in primary school children, (ii) To identify the gender difference in the prevalence of ADHD, (iii) To compare the distribution of ADHD among different socioeconomic status, (iv) To identify the presence of any co-morbid factors associated with ADHD.Settings and Design:This is a cross sectional study of school aged children selected from four different schools in Coimbatore district.Materials and Methods:Seven hundred seventy children aged between 6 and 11 years were selected from four schools in Coimbatore district after obtaining informed consent from their parents. The presence of ADHD was assessed by using Conner's Abbreviated Rating Scale (CARS) given to parents and teachers. The children identified as having ADHD were assessed for the presence of any co-morbid factors by administering Children's Behavioural Questionnaire (CBQ) to the teachers and Personal Information Questionnaire to the parents.Statistical Analysis:Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) 10 software, Mean and Standard Deviation, and student's t test were used for statistical analysis.Results:The prevalence of ADHD among primary school children was found to be 11.32%. Prevalence was found to be higher among the males (66.7%) as compared to that of females (33.3%). The prevalence among lower socio-economic group was found to be 16.33% and that among middle socio-economic group was 6.84%. The prevalence was highest in the age group 9 and 10 years.Conclusion:The present study shows a high prevalence of ADHD among primary school children with a higher prevalence among the males than the females.

Caregivers' mental health plays an important role in the quality of care delivery and outcome. Use of appropriate coping styles can reduce the impact of these symptoms.

Background: Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) require well-balanced care and a comprehensive therapeutic approach. Mental health problems often go unnoticed in mothers of children with ASD due to the focus on training for the children. The presence of stress and depressive symptoms in mothers can interfere with the quality of care and therapy given to the child. The present study aimed to assess the quality of life, coping styles, and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress in mothers of children with ASD. Methods: This study recruited thirty mothers of children with ASD, to whom Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS 21), WHO Quality of Life Scale (WHOQOL-BREF), and COPE Inventory were administered. Results: Results indicated the presence of depressive and anxiety symptoms and impaired quality of life among the mothers. Despite this, they exhibited positive coping styles. Conclusion: As part of a comprehensive intervention for children with ASD, there is also a need to address the psychological distress and coping styles of mothers.

The present study, aims to establish the reliability and validity of the NIMHANS Index for Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD) for a sample of children with SLD. The NIMHANS Index for Specific Learning Disabilities was initially developed by Kapur, John, Rozario and Oommen in 1991 in the Department of Clinical Psychology, NIMHANS, Bangalore. The study was conducted on a sample of 40 children selected from the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Unit, (CAMHU), NIMHANS after meeting the inclusion criteria of the study. Each child was individually assessed using MISIC and NIMHANS SLD index. The parents were also seen separately and administered the DPCL. They were also asked to bring the Checklist for School Report completed by the class teacher. Out of the 40 children tested, 35 children were confirmed as having Specific Learning Disability and five did not SLD as per the NIMHANS Index for SLD. There was significant correlation between teachers rating and clinical rating when compared with the presence of SLD. There was moderate association found between severities of SLD as assessed on the NIMHANS Index Specific Learning Disabilities with the Parental rating on the Learning Difficulties subscale of the DPCL.

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