Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a diverse behavioral syndrome affecting 3% to 7% of children in the United States, characterized by inattention, over activity, and impulse control problems. This disorder, as currently understood, can manifest in one of three ways: Individuals with this disorder may be primarily inattentive, may be primarily impulsive/ hyperactive, or may present with a combination of both inattention and impulsive/hyperactive behaviors. Research indicates that boys are 3 times more likely than girls to be diagnosed with this disorder and tend to demonstrate the more visible externalizing aspects of the condition, which include overactivity and behavioral dyscontrol. The disorder, which has gained increasing recognition and research over the past 3 decades, affects the educational, social, and behavioral functioning in lives of ...