Diagnosing Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Children

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a heterogenous behavioral disorder of uncertainetiology that is always evident first in childhood. The correct diagnosis of the ADHD patient thusrequires familiarity with how the diagnosis should be established across the life span. This article providesa description of the DSM-IV syndrome of ADHD, information on prevalence, and an overviewof standard methods used in office practice to diagnose ADHD in children. These practice parameterswill be examined in the light of the practitioner’s current concerns about the validity of the diagnosis.