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Children with ADHD have more difficulty concentrating and completing their homework. Credit: image of the public domain
A new global study involving the University of Adelaide found that the youngest children in their class were more likely to suffer from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) than their peers older.
The research, led by Curtin University and published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, systematically reviewed studies that examine the relationship between a child's age in relation to their classmates and their chances of being diagnosed or treated with ADHD.
Seventeen studies involving more than 14 million children – five in the United States, two in Spain and one in Canada, Finland, Germany, the Netherlands, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, in Taiwan and Australia – revealed that it was more common among younger children in a classroom to be diagnosed with ADHD and medication.
Professor co-author Jon Jureidini, a psychiatrist for children and adolescents from the University of Adelaide, said the results have highlighted the importance for teachers, doctors and parents to take Awareness of the relative age impact and give the youngest children the extra time they need. gain in maturity.
"Confusing ADHD with perfectly normal age-related immaturity is just one of the many problems associated with this label." Children deprived of sleep, victims of bullying, abuse or suffering from many other problems are often labeled ADHD, "said Professor Jureidini.
"Not only does this allow them to obtain potentially harmful drugs that they do not need, but their real problems are not identified and resolved."
The lead author, Dr. Martin Whitely, a researcher at the Curtin University John Curtin Institute of Public Policy, stated that there is no biological marker or physical test for ADHD and that the diagnosis was based on largely on reports of a child's behavior.
"It seems that all over the world, some teachers confuse the immaturity of the youngest children in their class with ADHD.Even if they do not diagnose it, they are often the first to suggest that it's not the same. a child could have ADHD, "said Dr. Whitely.
"Our research shows that the effect of ADHD at the end of the birthday is present in the two high-prescribing countries, such as the United States, Canada, and Iceland, and in countries where ADHD is much less common. as in Finland, Sweden and Taiwan. Our results challenge the misconception This only occurs in countries where the prescription rate for ADHD is high. "
Dr Whitely explained that only two studies, both Danish, showed a low or no late onset of birth, with the majority of late-born Danish boys being delayed by one year, which makes it uncertain whether this prevents or conceals only a disguise. l & # 39; effect.
"Further research could help us determine whether allowing parents to decide if their child is ready to start school helps reduce this effect as well as other effects on late birthdays." it may help the child delayed at entry but other children suffer, "said Dr. Whitely. .
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ADHD or just immature?
More information:
Martin Whitely et al. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Late Birth Date Effect Common in International Jurisdictions Where Prescriptions Are High and Low: A Systematic Review, Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry (2018). DOI: 10.1111 / jcpp.12991
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