Purpose: This study examined concentration difficulties experienced by adolescents with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). We explored the differences in adolescent and parent perceptions of these difficulties. We predicted that the adolescent and parent perception would differ, with adolescents perceiving greater difficulties.

Method: Twenty families of adolescents with SCD were recruited from Akron Children’s Hospital Hematology/Oncology Unit. Adolescents were asked to complete the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire, while their parents were asked to complete the Strength and Difficulties – Parent Version.

Results: We found that parents and their adolescents with SCD do not disagree when reporting on concentration problems. In fact, parents (M=1.85) reported greater problems than the teens (M=1.73). Overall, only 23% of adolescents and 9% of parents reported significant concentration issues.

Conclusions: While past research has shown that adolescents with SCD usually report concentration difficulties, our sample did not show similar results.