Two new studies have found that students who are the youngest in their classes are significantly more likely to be diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) than are the oldest kids in the class. One of the studies, out of North Carolina State University, raises concerns about misdiagnosis.
North Carolina State University researchers found that children born just after the kindergarten eligibility cutoff date were 25 percent less likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than children born just before the cutoff date.
For example, in schools where the cutoff date is Sept. 1, children born on Aug. 31 make the cutoff and are the youngest in their class; children born on Sept. 2 will wait an additional year to enter school and will be among the oldest in their class. [Source: NC State University]
Though these kids are just a few days apart in age, there is a significant statistical difference in the number of kids born just before the cutoff date (consequently, the youngest in their class) who are diagnosed with ADHD. Researchers are concerned that kids are being misdiagnosed when, in fact, they’re just less mature than their older classmates.
Posted By: Stefanie Hamilton
