Shire plc, the global specialty biopharmaceutical company, announced results of a European survey that found a child's Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) symptoms at school were a key concern for parents, yet outside of school their child's ADHD also had significant impact on parents' personal time.

The survey also revealed key findings surrounding parents' role in assessment and treatment for their child. Additionally, the survey suggested that informational needs may not be met adequately for these children with ADHD and their families.

Conducted in partnership with ADHD advocacy groups in four EU countries, the survey analysed parental impressions surrounding the impact of ADHD on their child, themselves and their family, as well as their child's ADHD treatment plan.

In the survey, nearly 50 per cent of parents across Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK indicated that they played a key role in determining whether their child had ADHD symptoms requiring assessment. Parents also reported being most concerned about their child's ADHD symptoms at school (67 per cent), compared with ADHD symptoms at home (17 per cent), and that medication was usually taken on school days. Further, the survey showed that most parents see a specialist at least twice a year, and that parents' level of knowledge about ADHD is directly linked to the support provided at the time of diagnosis. However, only half (51 per cent) of these respondents felt 'well informed' by the informational support provided by the specialist, which included written information for families of children with ADHD, information on local or national support groups, written information for the child with ADHD, and online information.

"ADHD is a commonly diagnosed psychiatric disorder in children and adolescents.2,3 In fact, ADHD affects an estimated 5.3 per cent of children and adolescents 18 years of age or younger worldwide, with large variability between countries," said Dr Myriam Menter, president of ADHD-Europe. "Keeping this in mind, it is important that physicians know how ADHD is currently being perceived by parents of children with the disorder and that they fully understand parents' concerns about managing their child's symptoms. With the help of this survey, physicians can better devise management and support solutions for patients with ADHD and their families."