Through the years, in my teaching profession, I have seen the diagnoses of A.D.H.D. and A.D.D.H.D. rise. I am concerned since A.D.H.D., as mentioned in a New York Times article on March 31, 2013, has no definitive test and is determined only by speaking extensively with patients, parents, and teachers, and ruling out other possible causes. Teachers are given surveys to fill out to help diagnose. This process of ruling out other possible causes can be subjective and is time consuming, and is sometimes even skipped under "time constraint" and pressure from parents.
I was surprised to find out that fifteen percent of school age boys have received A.D. H.D. diagnoses, the rate for girls was 7%.
Most alarming was the rate of diagnoses among those of high school age, those from ages 14 to 17, these rates were particularly high, 10% for girls and 19% for boys. According to the New York Times article, "About one in ten high school boys are currently taking A.D.H.D. medication."
Resources:
The New York Times
March 31, 2013
"A.D.H.D. Seen in 11% of U.S. Children as Diagnoses Rise."
By Alan Schwarz
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