Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

ADHD is a way of describing unwanted and asocial conduct including inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness. This conduct is frequently observed when a child starts school and may previously have been understood simply as naughtiness. The conduct is typically diagnosed as ADHD between the ages of 6 and 12 years. The most frequent response is medication. Conduct typical of ADHD may be considered normal in boys under age 7 years; hence, boys are more than twice as likely to be diagnosed as girls. This entry examines the history of ADHD, its prevalence and treatment, and critiques of the ADHD diagnosis.