NPR reports two studies (here and here) showing that younger kids in a classroom are more often (60% of the cases) diagnosed with ADHD when compared to their older classmates. The researchers looked at birth dates and school cut off dates to compare kids who can be up to a year apart in age, but placed in the same grade. Both studies conclude that teachers, usually the first to suggest the need for an ADHD evaluation, are evaluating kids to each other even when the younger ones are less mature due to their age, not to attention problems or hyperactivity.
This is similar to Malcolm Gladwell’s finding that, “a hugely disproportionate number of professional hockey and soccer players are born in January, February and March (his blog).” His findings are, in short, that older kids in the same grade show more promise only because of their physical maturity, not inborn talent; nonetheless, they are given more practice, praise and coaching because of their skills.
Since a misdiagnosis of ADHD can lead to a mental health diagnosis, special placement with in a school system and psychotropic medications, parents and teachers should note the child’s age, not the school grade. Those making the diagnosis should also attend to this.
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