Teachers May Overestimate ADHD

The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in the United Kingdom recently reviewed referrals and outcomes of children who were referred by teachers for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder observation. The study was designed to determine the accuracy of teacher-based ADHD identification.

"Between November 2006 and October 2007, 52 children were referred to CAMHS with ADHD-like symptoms. Enough concern was raised of 14 children to warrant school observation. Of these, only five were diagnosed with ADHD..."

Researchers are unsure why ADHD is being overestimated by teachers, but suggested that more resources be made available to enable teachers to more accurately identify the symptoms related to the disorder. Source: PsychCentral

Labels: classrooms, diagnosis, teachers