ADHD diagnosis mainly affects the youngest

Many first graders with ADHD diagnosis - Early enrollment increases the risk

21/10/2014

Many children receive the diagnosis attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in the first years after enrollment - colloquially also „Hyperactivity syndrome“ called. The age of enrollment seems to play a not to be underestimated role, reports the „world“ citing the results of a previously unpublished study by the AOK. Meanwhile attention and hyperactivity disorders in this country are one of the most commonly diagnosed developmental disorders in children.

The AOK study is based, according to the „world“ on nationwide about 3.5 million children and adolescents aged between three and 17, who are insured with the AOK. Analysis of the data showed that the frequency of ADHD diagnoses has doubled within seven years. In many cases first-graders are diagnosed with ADHD, with children of lower school age being at greater risk than those who had been enrolled for a longer period of time. Since younger students are generally much lower in development than older classmates, the increased ADHD diagnoses may simply be due to their lower age and not medically justified. „In many cases, the age-appropriate level of development is given too little consideration“, quotes the „world“ the author of the AOK study and vice-director of the Scientific Institute of the AOK (WIdO), Helmut Schröder.

Doubling of ADHD diagnoses in six years
According to the AOK study, 2.3 percent of children were diagnosed with ADHD in 2006, compared with 4.6 percent of children in 2012, according to the report „world“. Thus, the frequency of diagnoses has doubled in a relatively short time, but the children today do not appear more behaviorally conspicuous than six years ago. Only the tangible findings, which were issued by the doctor in at least two quarters, were considered, reports the news journal. Suspected diagnosis had not flowed. Striking is the widespread use of diagnoses in boys. So receives according to the information „world“ Almost one in ten boys between the ages of nine and eleven have an ADHD diagnosis, while only half of the girls are affected.

Early schooling as a risk for ADHD diagnosis?
In many cases, the behavior of children is first discussed in the first years after school enrollment. The first graders are just beginning to get used to the school and are struggling with the first difficulties, followed by the consultation with the class teachers, in which the restless behavior and the lack of concentration of children are discussed, the announcement of the „world“. Not infrequently, the keyword ADHD falls here for the first time. In particular, children with a low enrollment age, who turned six years old shortly before the cut-off date, are increasingly diagnosed with ADHD, according to the newspaper, citing the results of the AOK study. Overall, the diagnosis rate for the youngest children in the 2012/2013 school year was 6.3 percent, while only 5.4 percent of the oldest classmates in the same year received ADHD. The youngest children of the year are therefore significantly more likely to have ADHD than their older counterparts, which may be accompanied by the early prescription of psychotropic drugs and may have a long-lasting effect on the age-appropriate development of children.

Children under premature ADHD suspicion
According to the results of the AOK study, for the very young first graders there is a risk that age-appropriate playfulness and typical immaturity are misinterpreted as symptoms leading to premature ADHD treatment „world“. But „There are many reasons for children to get up in school, walk around, and not respond to teachers' exhortations“, the newspaper quotes study author Helmut Schröder. Either it is because the child is still very young and only follows his usual age-appropriate play instinct or the child actually has ADHD. Often in the school by the teachers on a possible ADHD pointed and this assumption then carried on by concerned mothers and fathers to the pediatrician. „Thus, the affected child may be prematurely under suspicion of ADHD“, quotes the „world“ the criticism of the study author.

Increased treatment with psychotropic drugs
In general, according to the results of the AOK study, the probability of treatment with psychotropic drugs for schoolchildren is relatively high. So start with the start of school and the use of drugs, writes the „World. If children with ADHD diagnosis in preschool age are still mainly treated with occupational therapy and speech education, the proportion of patients taking remedies to increase their concentration at primary school age increases to 34 percent. Every third primary schoolchild with ADHD diagnosis receives psychotropic drugs, although in professional circles - not least due to the side effects - expressly called for restraint with drugs such as methylphenidate (trade name for example Ritalin). In addition, the drastic increase in ADHD diagnoses has triggered a critical discussion on the supposed clinical picture of ADHD. Often, spirited children who have difficulties with classical schooling are classified as behavioral and are diagnosed with ADHD, critics say.

Difficult diagnosis in ADHD
Basically, diagnosing ADHD is relatively difficult because there are no universal biological tests or thresholds to detect the complex disorder „world“. However, criteria for the diagnosis of ADHD have been developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and various professional associations. For example, the symptoms must have been present for at least six months and have first appeared before the sixth birthday. Also, the symptoms must be a significant impairment for the daily life of those affected and it requires a clear distinction from other mental disorders. Furthermore, it must be ruled out that the symptoms are a consequence of the intake of medicines or organic diseases „world“. Overall, the risk of misdiagnosis is relatively high, which is why teachers, parents and doctors should do thorough cause research here, reports the newspaper, citing the author of the AOK study, Helmut Schröder. For example, some analysts also view the increased ADHD diagnoses as a consequence of the zeitgeist, with high expectations and expectations that trigger the symptoms that can lead to ADHD diagnosis. (Fp)