Research Exercise ADHD Among Preschoolers

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You must read each slide, and complete any questions on the slide, in sequence.

Research Exercise

ADHD Among Preschoolers

Young children, especially preschoolers, may be inattentive and hyperactive, but when should such behavior be a concern to parents? When is it not developmentally typical or normal? Many parents and teachers struggle with these questions. The diagnosis of ADHD becomes difficult to make because of the inattention and hyperactivity typical of developing young children. However, accurate diagnosis is critical since research has shown that early intervention can decrease the impact of symptoms both academically and socially. This article from the American Psychological Association discusses the difficulty of identifying and treating attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in very young children and suggests a possible different approach.

After reading the article “ADHD among Preschoolers,” read the “DSM-5 ADHD Fact Sheet,” consider the questions below. Then submit your responses.

1 of 5

According to some researchers, how early can ADHD be diagnosed after a comprehensive evaluation?

3 of 5

According to the article, approximately how many children have been diagnosed with ADHD?

4 of 5

What drug side effects occurred in the NIMH multi-site Preschool ADHD Treatment Study?

One possible answer might be that, among the 303 preschoolers, common side effects included weight loss, insomnia, anxiety, emotional outbursts, and loss of appetite.

5 of 5

Although, for diagnosis purposes, the DSM criteria for ADHD have not changed from DSM-IV-TR to DSM-5, what has been included in DSM-5 to assist in accurate diagnosis?

One possible answer might be DSM-5 includes examples to illustrate the types of behavior children, older adolescents, and adults with ADHD might exhibit. The descriptions will help clinicians better identify typical ADHD symptoms at each stage of patients’ lives.

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