You will be reviewing that Web site https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/adult-adhd/symptoms-causes/syc-20350878 with at least three of the five criteria currency, objectivity, accuracy,

Increase in ADHD Diagnoses

ADHD has been a long-standing disorder that has severely affected the performance of children educationally and socially, causing lots of concern and pain to parents and other stakeholders like doctors, psychologist, counselors and the society. With the rate of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Syndrome (ADHD) increasing by 24% since 2001(USA today, 2013), such a significant jump should raise much concern and interest. Increase in the diagnosis of the disorder has raised much awareness and effort to manage the disorder and give a clearer vision on planning has increased. ADHD has been under-diagnosed due to certain reasons that has made the assessment of its scope difficult (Hamed, Kauer,Stevens,Pradeep & Lyons, 2015). Moreover, because it is under-diagnosed, much wrong information pervades society and effective treatment remains a mirage. An increase in ADHD diagnoses is beneficial to children, parents, and the public in providing information about the disorder, statistics, and its challenges.

First, the provision of adequate information about the ADHD disorder will make effective and increased diagnosis possible. Parents and their children’s knowledge about the disorder (USA today, 2013) likely caused the rise in the diagnosis of the ADHD disorder. When parents have information about the prevalence, signs and symptoms of the disorder, it raises the need to go for a test and receive help if indeed the disorder is present in their wards. The DSM-5 criteria for ADHD helps significantly in the diagnosis of ADHD (CDC, 2015) and explains the various signs and symptoms to look out for in effectively diagnosing the disorder. Patterns of inattention and impulsive behaviors are signs that affects the Childs concentration in school and will affect the Childs grade (AAP, 2016). The Childs inability to focus on studies and to pay attention in class is a thing of much worry, as this will be a problem for the childs future since one third of these symptoms in children will persist into adulthood (Hamed, et al., 2015). The community do have a stake in this trend also as increase in information about the signs, symptoms and general information about ADHD will increase the diagnosis of the disorder. A society with lots of dysfunctional individuals may not prosper, as it should since a large percentage of gifted people are unable to tap into their enormous talent that could contribute positively to the prosperity of the society because of un-diagnosed or wrongly diagnosed cases of ADHD.

Next, an understanding of the statistics about the increase of ADHD diagnosis will improve the points and areas of concentration about the disorder. With the rate of ADHD increasing by 24% since 2001(USA Today, 2013), it becomes needful to plan on effective ways of giving this percentage of people, a better life by helping to manage and provide treatment for them. Statistics points to the facts to where a problem or solution lies and in this case, it informs on the facts about ADHD. With the knowledge of these facts, the issues could gain attention and be addressed accordingly as this is still an ongoing process (Tarver, Daley & Sayal, 2014).This study points into the likelihood of an intervention that will help manage and curb the disorder. A study in the Monday’s issue of JAMA pediatrics (USA today, 2013), break down the statistics of people diagnosed by gender, race, family income and age. The discovery highlighted that boys could be three times more likely for diagnosis with ADHD than girls could. Though girls could also show signs of inattention, the study may have overlooked the disorder among girls, says pediatrician Craig Garfield of Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine and Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago. The study also shows that Children of high-income families are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than those from low-income families. Getahun, (as cited in USA today, 2013) says, maybe because high-income families show more concern for school performance and are more likely to seek a diagnosis. Hammerness, (as cited in USA today, 2013), an ADHD expert at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital says that the ADHD rates are relatively stable and that effort be placed on providing quality care for people with ADHD. Though opinion may vary, one benefit of the study is to raise awareness about the increase in the diagnosis of the ADHD disorder.

Finally, the stage and level of recognition of the ADHD disorder could be a challenge to the increase in ADHD diagnosis. Parents play a very vital role in the lives of children from the birth and growth of the child. The understanding about ADHD among parents could either help increase or decrease the diagnosis of ADHD (Hamed, et al., 2015). When the child’s behavior is of no significance and having a belief system that triggers the notion that ADHD do not exist are factors that could be a challenge. Access to healthcare can also be a challenging factor to increase in diagnosis to ADHD. Affordability and economic factors play a role here since parents with low-income may not be able to readily afford the type of health care that could help for effective diagnosis of the ADHD disorder. With different types of treatments by health personnel (Hamed, et al., 2015), finding the right professional to give an effective diagnosis can also be a factor. All stakeholders needs to inform and educate parents, medical professionals and the public in right approaches to curb these challenges.

Overall, the increase in the diagnosis of the ADHD disorder is a good news in the effective treatment of ADHD and should be a collaborative effort from all. Increase in diagnosis could largely be because of increase and awareness about the disorder and statistics do show its prevalence and areas of focus and attention. The challenges in the increase of diagnosis begins from parents (Hamed, et al., 2015), whom are the first custodian of children since their attitude concerning ADHD could either benefit or harm the cause. Availability and affordability of treatment could hinder the diagnosis as well. If the increase of ADHD diagnosis decreases, it could greatly affect the next generation negatively and an increase will help children maximize their full potentials and be helpful to themselves, families and society.

References

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (2015) retrieved March 15, 2016 from https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/adhd/Pages/Attention-Deficit-Hyperactivity-Disorder.aspx

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2013). Facts about ADHD. Retrieved March 17, 2016 from http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/facts.html

Hamed, A. M., Kauer, A. J., Stevens, H. E., Pradeep, J., & Lyons, J. (2015). Why the Diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Matters. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 1-10. doi:10.3389/fpsyt

Tarver, J., Daley, D., & Sayal, K. (2014). Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): an updated review of the essential facts. Child: Care, Health & Development, 40(6), 762-774 13p. doi:10.1111/cch.12139

USA today. (2013).ADHD diagnostics in kids is increasing. Retrieved March 21, 2015 from http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/01/21/adhd-diagnosis-kids-hyperactivity/1852083/