Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is more likely to be misdiagnosed for the youngest children in classrooms according to an international study published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry. 

After researchers at Western Australia’s Curtin University reviewed 17 studies covering more than 14 million children, they found that a child’s age relative to their classmates affected ADHD diagnosis. 

The studies were ranged from the United States, Spain, Canada, Finland, Germany, Netherlands, Iceland, Israel, Norway, Sweden, Taiwan and Australia. 

“It appears that across the globe some teachers are mistaking the immaturity of the youngest children in their class for ADHD. Although teachers don’t diagnose it, they are often the first to suggest a child may have ADHD,” lead researcher Dr Martin Whitley said. 

“Our research shows that the ADHD late-birthday effect occurs in both high prescribing countries, like the USA, Canada and Iceland and in countries where ADHD is far less common, like Finland, Sweden and Taiwan. Our findings challenge the notion that misdiagnosis only happens in countries where there is a high rate of prescriptions for ADHD,” Dr Whitley added. 

Child and adolescent psychiatrist Professor Jon Jureidini from the University of Adelaide said the study highlighted the importance of teachers in a classroom and the dangers of labelling. 

Jureidini added that it was important for teachers to give the youngest children in the classroom extra time they need to mature.  

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