Sample by My Essay Writer
Between 1.5 and 3.5 million elementary and high school students throughout the United States suffer from attention deficit/hyperactive disorder (ADHD), researchers from the University of Washington say (ADHD, 2005). That represents approximately 5 per cent of boys and 2 per cent of girls. The National Institutes of health stated that over one million children in the U.S. are medicated to control their hyperactive behavior. While it is unknown why ADHD appears to affect boys more than girls, it is clear that up to 60 per cent of children who suffer from the disorder will continue to struggle in adulthood. In this essay, I will discuss whether ADHD is over or under diagnosed, by investigating the opinions from around the world, and by analysing studies on the subject matter. It is important to establish whether ADHD is as prevalent as many doctors and parents say it is. Because while many children show a complete lack of ability to concentrate in class, the children’s behavior is a natural part of their development.
Definition
Before investigating the various studies related to ADHD, it is important to clearly define the disorder. The basic feature of ADHD is a consistent pattern of hyperactivity and/or inattention. This is impulsive and while many people display a degree of these traits, those with ADHD are believed to have a harder time concentrating and controlling themselves. Many of the ADHD symptoms are evident in people prior to age 7. People who have ADHD have some impairment of the symptoms in more than one setting. These could include at school and at home. Also, people with the disorder have interference with their developmentally appropriate social, occupational or academic functioning. “The disturbance does not occur exclusively during the course of a Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Schizophrenia, or other Psychotic Disorders and is not better accounted for by another mental disorder,” (Definition, n.d.). ADHD also consists of three subtypes.
