Assessment of comorbid symptoms in pediatric autonomic dysfunction.

Purpose: Pediatric patients with autonomic dysfunction and orthostatic intolerance (OI) often present with co-existing symptoms and signs that might or might not directly relate to the autonomic nervous system. Our objective was to identify validated screening instruments to characterize these comorbidities and their impact on youth functioning.

Methods: The Pediatric Assembly of the American Autonomic Society reviewed the current state of practice for identifying symptom comorbidities in youth with OI.

Brief educational "curbside consultation": Impact on attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder referrals in an integrated healthcare setting.

Introduction: As behavioral health providers integrate into primary health care clinics, it is important to examine methods used to increase primary care providers' (PCPs) knowledge of behavioral health providers' areas of expertise and service provision. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been identified as one of the most common behavioral health disorders PCPs diagnose and treat in children.

Method: This study examined whether 2 brief educational "curbside consults," during which a psychologist provided information regarding the assessment and treatment of ADHD, had an impact on PCPs' referral practices.