ADHD Problems Extend Beyond Classroom

Children diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder have problems outside the classroom, a new survey reports.

The survey reveals that socialization problems with peers and other family members are much more prevalent among children with ADHD than generally thought.

Parents of children diagnosed with ADHD are nearly three times more likely to report that their child has difficulty getting along with neighborhood children and more than twice as likely to say their child gets picked on, the survey reports.

The I.M.P.A.C.T. -- Investigating the Mindset of Parents about ADHD & Children Today -- 2001 Survey, believed to be the first of its kind, was developed by the New York University Child Study Center. It examines and compares the attitudes and perceptions of parents about their children with and without ADHD. More than 500 parents participated in the study.

Findings include views on children's participation in after-school activities, their interaction with peers and family members and management of ADHD.

The survey reveals that children diagnosed with ADHD face serious social development issues that affect their relationships with family and friends and impede their participation in after-school activities.

"ADHD is not just a school-day disorder; it is an all-day disorder," said Dr. Harold S. Koplewicz, director of the New York University Child Study Center. "In addition to its proven impact on academic performance, ADHD also affects how children get along with family and friends, complete homework assignments and participate in after-school activities. Successful management of this condition needs to address all aspects of a young person's daily life."

Furthermore, parent responses indicate that many children are not following recommended treatment for their condition.

"Parents should talk with their physician about available behavioral modification programs as well as longer-lasting medications that can help children with ADHD effectively manage the symptoms of their condition before, during, and after school, including weekends," Dr. Koplewicz said.

"New treatment guidelines for ADHD issued by the American Academy of Pediatrics state that, if appropriate, physicians should recommend behavior therapy and/or stimulant medication to improve specific symptoms in children with ADHD," he said.

ADHD is a medical condition characterized by inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that affects millions of children and adults, and often has a significant impact on a person's life.

Left untreated, children with ADHD can suffer academically and experience behavioral, social and emotional problems through adulthood.

According to the National Institutes of Health, ADHD is one of the most common mental disorders among children. Today, ADHD affects approximately 3 to 5 percent of the U.S. school-age population, with boys diagnosed three to four times more often than girls.