The number of children diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) continues to climb, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2013/11/22/adhd-diagnoses-rise-to-11-of-kids/
Today, 6.4 million children between the ages of 4 and 17 – 11% of kids in this age group – have received an ADHD diagnosis, according to a recent study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, which is based on a survey of parents. That’s 2 million more children than in 2007. http://www.medicaldaily.com/adhd-diagnoses-reach-64-million-us-35-million-children-prescribed-medication-cdc-report-263545
The links above show the new numbers that were released in November showing a significant rise in the number of school aged children diagnosed with ADD (or ADHD).
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) ranks among the most frequently diagnosed behavior disorder today. ADD affects about eight percent of school aged children in the United States. There are three types of ADD:
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) where the hyperactivity/impulsive characteristics predominate.
- Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) where inattention predominates and there are fewer behavioral problems characteristic of children with ADHD.
- Combined Type where there are both inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive characteristics.
The syndrome is characterized by more than expected degrees of:
INATTENTION
- Trouble focusing on activity
- Trouble sustaining attention
- Seeming not to listen
- Trouble following instructions
- Easily distracted
- Easily bored
- Trouble Organizing
- Making careless errors
- Not finishing or not doing homework
- Losing things
- Having to have things repeated
IMPULSIVITY
- Inability to wait her turn
- Blurting out answers in class
- Interrupting
- Bossiness
- Acting like the class clown
- Having little control of his actions and not being able to put thought between feelings and actions
- Having hair-trigger tempers
- Bullying
HYPERACTIVITY
- Trouble sitting still
- Fidgeting
- Rarely slowing down
- Talking too much
- Rarely finding quiet time
It’s true that many of these characteristics, to some degree, are common to all children. This in no way lessens the validity of the disorder. A child’s ability to focus, sit still, follow commands, control activity, show patience, and manage feelings develops at different rates. There is no such thing as a perfectly normal timeline and because of this, it’s important not to jump to conclusions. A good measure is that by kindergarten these areas of development should be growing, and by the end of first and second grade, they should be well along. If not, then chances are your child is in a great deal of discomfort and might be suffering from ADD. Don’t be fearful of an ADD diagnosis. There are many ways to treat it and children can find success in school and their daily lives with the proper help and support.
In my next blog I will discuss diagnosing ADD, what causes it and how it is treated.
DISCLAIMER
Information contained in this blog is intended for educational purposes only. It is not intended as medical or psychiatric advice for individual conditions or treatment and does not substitute for a medical or psychiatric examination. A psychiatrist must make a determination about any treatment or prescription. Dr. Paul does not assume any responsibility or risk for the use of any information contained within this blog.
