ADHD Diagnosed Younger, CDC Study States

A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that the number of children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is growing, particularly over the last two decades.

"The increased rate is probably tied to kids getting diagnosed younger," Dr. Michael F. Troy, Medical Director of Behavioral Health Services at Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, told CBS News.

However, the increased rate has prompted concerns of a possible over-diagnosis, revealing how one-third of children in the United States were diagnosed with ADHD between the ages of 3-17.

This recent study examined 3,000 parents of children who had been diagnosed with ADHD. Half of the children in the study were diagnosed before the age of 7, while more than one-third had been diagnosed before
ADHD affects a child's ability to learn, oftentimes characterized by inattention, hyperactivity and impulsive behaviors. In 2011 to 2012, researchers noted a 42 percent increase from 2003 to 2004.

"ADHD is a description of behavior, of how someone presents, not of the etiology [the cause] of it," Troy added. "You could have a severe cough and it could be because of a lot of different reasons. You could have disregulated behavior and have difficulty focusing and concentrating and it could be ADHD or it could be a combination of other conditions."

Furthermore, the study also showed that for close to 20 percent of the children, family members were the only ones who provided information regarding the ADHD assessment. The American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines also notes that information for an ADHD analysis must be collected via various sources, including teachers, coaches and other adults involved in the child's care.

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