Nursery World - Sign of the times (2)

Children who are called hyperactive are more likely to be responding understandably to the unique pressures of our times, argues <B> Professor Priscilla Alderson </B>

Children who are called hyperactive are more likely to be responding understandably to the unique pressures of our times, argues Professor Priscilla Alderson

Why are so many children today seen as having ADHD (Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder)? There are some deeply disturbed children who need medical and psychological help, but thousands of others are also being diagnosed with ADHD and many have drug treatment for it. Yet in the past, they would not have been considered sick.

ADHD is about behaviour, not illness. Some children might have biochemical or brain disorders, but no definite medical signs have yet been found that would prove that a child has ADHD. Reading tests are used to assess ADHD in six- to 16-year-olds. Yet many children find reading hard and boring, so this is bound to shoot up ADHD rates. Diagnosis of ADHD is an opinion, rather than proof.

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