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

Product Volunteering at Wendell Baptist Preschool