Do you think ADHD is occurring more often, or is it simply being diagnosed more?

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HOW PROFESSIONALS CAN EXPECT IT TO INFLUENCE CHILDREN’S BEHAVIOR AND DEVELOPMENT.

Like autism, ADHD has become a prominent children’s issue, in large part due to rapidly increasing rates of diagnosis. According to a report released by the CDC in 2010, 1 in 10 children between the ages of 4–17 is diagnosed with ADHD, which represents a 22% increase from 2003. The dramatic increase in children diagnosed with ADHD inevitably provokes questions about what is causing this trend. Moreover, with so many children afflicted with this disorder, debate about the best course of treatment, and particularly the safety of psychoactive medications, has also become ubiquitous. Stimulants such as Ritalin and Adderall have helped many children better manage symptoms of ADHD. At the same time, there are concerns that these medications are being overprescribed, may have harmful side effects, and/or may mask symptoms children will eventually need to learn to cope with without medication. In this Discussion, you will consider why rates of ADHD in children have increased, and what the implications of treatment might be. Reflect on the following:
 

  • To what do you think the increase in ADHD among children can be attributed? Do you think ADHD is occurring more often, or is it simply being diagnosed more? Is the increase in diagnosis due to a combination of several factors? Explain.
  • What are your thoughts on the treatment of ADHD? Do you think drug therapies should be a primary option? Or should they only be a last resort, or not used at all? Why?

 
With these thoughts in mind, follow the instructions below to post your response to this Discussion topic.
Post an explanation of your thoughts on the factor(s) that have contributed to the increase in children with ADHD over the past decade. In addition, explain how you think ADHD should be treated in children, particularly if and how drug therapies should be used, and why. Be sure to use the Learning Resources to support your thinking..
 
 

  • Web Resource: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: National Institute of Mental Health. (2008). Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Retrieved fromhttp://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder/adhd_booklet.pdf
    • Read pp. 1–11 onlyThis pamphlet provides an overview of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, one of the most common childhood disorders. Focus on possible causes, symptoms, and treatments of this condition.
  • Article: Brown, T. E. (2007). A new approach to attention deficit disorder. Educational Leadership, 64(5), 25–29.Retrieved from the Academic Search Complete database.
    In this article, Thomas Brown describes the implications of ADHD for professionals working with children in group or classroom settings. Focus on the prevalence of ADHD in children as well as how professionals can expect it to influence children’s behavior and development.
  • Article: Stolzer, J. M. (2009). Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: Valid medical condition or culturally constructed myth? Ethical Human Psychology & Psychiatry, 11(1), 5–15.Retrieved from the Academic Search Complete database.