Youngest children in school are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD, new research reveals. Greater immaturity compared to their classmates may prompt youngsters to receive the behavioral condition diagnosis, a study found.
Younger girls in a year group are 31 percent more likely to receive a diagnosis, while such boys are 26 percent more likely to be told they have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), the research adds.
Lead author Professor Kapil Sayal from the University of Nottingham, said: ‘Teachers and parents may misattribute a child’s immaturity.
‘This might lead to younger children in the class being more likely to be referred for an assessment for ADHD.’
Youngest children in school are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD, new research reveals
How the research was carried out
The researchers analyzed data from all children in Finland born between 1991 and 2004 who were diagnosed with ADHD from the age of seven.
In Finland, children start school in August of the year they turn seven. Consequently, the eldest in a school year are born in January aged seven years and seven months and the youngest in December aged six years and seven months.
Key findings
Results reveal younger girls are 31 percent more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD. Boys are 26 percent more likely to receive the diagnosis.
Between 2004 and 2011, children born in May to August were 37 percent more likely to be diagnosed, while those born in September to December were 64 percent, compared to the oldest children born in January to April.
The findings were published in the journal The Lancet Psychiatry.
Greater immaturity may prompt youngsters to receive a behavioral condition diagnosis
‘Parents may misattribute a child’s immaturity’
Professor Sayal said: ‘The findings of this research have a range of implications for teachers, parents and clinicians. ‘With an age variation of up to 12 months in the same class, teachers and parents may misattribute a child’s immaturity.
‘This might lead to younger children in the class being more likely to be referred for an assessment for ADHD. ‘Parents and teachers as well as clinicians who are undertaking ADHD assessments should keep in mind the child’s relative age.
‘From an education perspective, there should be flexibility with an individualized approach to best meets the child’s needs.’
The researchers add there should be more flexibility in school start dates to accommodate younger, and therefore more immature, children.
ADHD: The symptoms
ADHD’s symptoms include inattentiveness, restlessness, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness.
These tend to be noticed at an early age and become more obvious when a child’s circumstances change, such as when they start school.
ADHD is typically identified at a young age and tends to become more noticeable in unfamiliar settings.
Most cases are diagnosed when children are between six and 12 years old. The NHS notes many children go through phases of being restless or inattentive and this does not necessarily mean they have ADHD.
How many children are diagnosed?
It is estimated around five percent of school children around the world have ADHD. Yet there are large differences internationally in the rates of diagnosis and treatment, which might partially reflect the availability of services.
Perceptions of parents and teachers play an important role in diagnosing ADHD, as the information they provide is used as part of the assessment.