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Attention-Deficit/
Hyperactivity Disorder
Prevalence
Overview
ADHD is one of the most common disorders among children, and rates of diagnosis have
continued to increase in recent years. The most recent data from the CDC states that as of
2011, about 11% of children (ages 4-17) were diagnosed with ADHD. ADHD Diagnoses
among boys occur at four times the rate of ADHD diagnoses among girls.
Background Information
ADHD is very difficult to diagnose. For children with predominantly HyperactiveImpulsive ADHD, their disruptive, agitated behavior may be misdiagnosed as an
emotional-behavioral disorder. On the other hand, those with predominantly
Inattentive ADHD are often quiet, yet their minds wander off. In these children, the
disorder may go completely unnoticed. Also, it is common for ADHD to occur
alongside other disorders (a phenomenon referred to as comorbidity), which may
complicate the process of diagnosis.
Signs/Symptoms of ADHD
ADHD has three subtypes, each with different signs/symptoms. To
be categorized in either the predominantly Inattentive or
predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive subtype, a child must exhibit
6 or more behaviors in the corresponding cluster. To be categorized
as the combined subtype, a child must exhibit 6 or more behaviors
in both clusters.
Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive
Hyperactivity
Fidgets
Moves around at
inappropriate times
Restless
Constantly active
Extremely talkative
Difficulty being quiet
during play activities
Not detail-oriented
Trouble staying on-task
Problems with listening
Difficulty following
directions
task-avoidant behavior
Resources
For further information, visit these
websites:
Presenters: Stephanie Bove, Nicole Rechtzigel, Erik Rodriguez, and Cody Smieja
References
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). (n.d.). Retrieved October 12, 2015, from
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorderadhd/index.shtml
Data & Statistics. (2015). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved November
22, 2015, from http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/data.html
Parigger, E.M. (2012). Language and executive functioning in children with ADHD (Masters
Thesis). Retrieved from http://dare.uva.nl/record/1/378400.
Thapar, A., Cooper, M., Eyre, O. & Langley, K. (2013).Practitioner Review: What have we learnt
about the causes of ADHD? Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 54(1),3
16.doi:10.1111/j.1469-7610.2012.02611.x