Misdiagnosis Of Adhd – What Are The Implications If Your Child Is Misdiagnosed?

As far as the misdiagnosis of adhd is concerned, the fact is that this does happen. According to some recent reports, it is suggested that this happens all too frequently and parents are understandably concerned. The CNN report that confirmed the suspicion that there are a high number of incidences where a child has been wrongly diagnosed has caused somewhat of a furor among parents and professionals alike. However, the report is currently being backed up by studies that that lending it considerable credence.

Todd Elder of the Michigan State University did an analysis that concluded that a significant number of kids diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder do not in fact have ADHD at all. The analysis actually places the figure at around 900,000! One of the main reasons that might account for the high number of misdiagnoses is that children who are less mature than their peers are perceived to be suffering from ADHD. Teachers might deduce that a child's immaturity, when compared with the level of maturity displayed by others in the same grade, is beneath average and therefore likely to indicate that the child is ADHD.

Younger children are therefore more likely to be considered ADHD than older kids. Sadly, younger children also make up the most of those that are medicated using stimulant and non-stimulant ADHD medications. These findings are supported by yet another study, this time conducted by Mr. William Evans of the University of Notre Dame. According to the studies conducted by Mr. Elder and Mr. Evans, a child who is young in a grade is twice as likely to be diagnosed and treated for ADHD.