- New research is reporting that children diagnosed with ADHD who are the youngest in their class are just as likely to retain the diagnosis as their older peers.
- The new study, which used the largest dataset ever compiled to investigate the impact of birth month on ADHD persistence, analyzed information from more 6,500 people worldwide tracked over periods ranging from 4 to 33 years.
- While experts previously questioned the validity of ADHD diagnoses in younger students, this research suggests that age within the class does not significantly affect the stability of the diagnosis.
Researchers are reporting that children who are the youngest in their class and are diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are equally likely to retain the diagnosis as their older peers in the same grade.
In the United States, approximately 8% of children are affected by ADHD.
Common symptoms of ADHD include impulsivity, lack of organization, challenges in managing time, trouble concentrating, and restlessness.
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The findings were published in the journal The Lancet Psychiatry.
In total, the study analyzed information from more than 6,500 subjects worldwide who were followed for durations ranging from 4 to 33 years.
Previously, some scientists had raised doubts about the accuracy of diagnosing ADHD in younger students, suggesting that they might receive the diagnosis due to their relative immaturity compared to their older classmates.
However, the researchers highlighted that children who are the youngest in their grade are often more prone to receiving an ADHD diagnosis, possibly due to their developmental lag…
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