Should ADHD/ADD be diagnosed in children under the age of five?

Why I Chose This Topic

• I love working with kids• I’ve always wondered how doctors can

differentiate between normal and abnormal behavior in young children

• I plan to study this type of thing in the future

What is ADHD/ADD?

• Most common behavioral disorder• Approximately 2 million children diagnosed

each year• Causes children to not do as well in everyday

tasks

Statistics

• 3%-5% of school-aged children may have ADHD/ADD

• One out of every 30 children are suspected to have ADHD/ADD

• 1%-4% of preschool aged children are suspected to have ADHD/ADD

Types of ADHD/ADD

• Combined Type• Hyperactive/Impulsive Type• Inattentive Type• Combined Type is most common

Symptoms

• Poor Attention• Hyperactive• Impulsive• Distracted• Destructiveness• Children ages 3-7 are commonly hyperactive

& easily distracted

Treatment

• Medication: Methylphenidate• Behavioral Intervention• Environmental Change• Practice Social Cues

Diagnoses

• Diagnostic and Statistic Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV)

• Compare behavior to that of a child without the disorder

• Monitor behavior in class setting • Neuropsychological Testing

Misdiagnoses Consequences

• Medication is not made for children under the age of 7

• Medication given to a child that does not need it just to have a diagnoses

• Lack of data about ADHD/ADD in children under 7

ProductVolunteering at Wendell Baptist

Preschool