The Advantages of an Attention Deficit

In recent years, major advances have been made in our understanding of ADHD. Consider
these striking facts:
ADHD is the most commonly diagnosed psychiatric condition in children and is a
major reason for referral to a pediatrician, family physician, pediatric neurologist, or
child psychologist. Over 11 percent — more than 1 in 10 children — of school-age
youngsters are affected — more than 6 million between the ages of 5 and 18 (CDC).
A significant number of them also are diagnosed with associated learning disabilities.
Boys are more than 3 times more likely to develop and be diagnosed with the
disorder than girls.
Researchers no longer believe that the symptoms of ADHD fade with the passage of
time for most people with the diagnosis.
It is estimated that more than 4 percent of adults have ADHD as well (CDC). Many
adults with ADHD were never diagnosed when they were young and may not even
be aware they have the disorder. Some may have been wrongly diagnosed
with depression or a personality disorder in childhood or as adults.
ADHD crosses ethnic boundaries; researchers have found it exists in every nation
and culture they have studied.
ADHD presents many challenges, both for the individuals who grapple with it as well as for
society. At its worst, some experts say, ADHD saddles individuals with an increased risk of
accidents, drug abuse, failure at school, antisocial behavior and criminal activity. And
people with ADHD frequently battle associated problems. These include:
anxiety
various learning disabilities
speech or hearing deficits
obsessive-compulsive disorders
tic disorders
or behavioral problems such as oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) or conduct
disorder (CD)
Yet others insist ADHD sparks creative genius and is the mark of an inventive mind.
The causes of ADHD have not been pinpointed, though many psychologists and
researchers believe that psychological, neurobiological, and genetic elements likely play a
role. In addition, numerous social factors such as family conflict or poor child-rearing
practices may complicate the course of ADHD and its treatment.
The public health significance of ADHD was emphasized by the National Institutes of Health
in November 1998, when it convened the NIH Consensus Development Conference on
Diagnosis and Treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. This meeting was
attended by leading national experts who reviewed the current scientific facts. Additional
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