Is attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) underdiagnosed or overdiagnosed? The answer seems to depend on the population. A study published in the journal Pediatrics showed that minority children were less likely than white children to receive an ADHD diagnosis. However, 15% of children have been told during a physician encounter that they have ADHD by the time they reach high school.

How can a balance be reached? Possibly by embarking on a complex, thoughtful process that reflects an understanding of the patient’s capacities and incorporates input from teachers, family, and friends.

Craig Surman, MD
Neuropsychiatrist, ADHD Researcher, and Author