70 percent increase in ADHD among black children, study finds
Many parents lament over their children not following directions, lack of focus or inability to sit still. These actions are often seen “out of control” and “bad” behavior. However, it may be a sign of ADHD. According to a recent study by Getahun and colleagues published in JAMA Pediatrics, ADHD diagnoses are increasing among youth.
What is ADHD?
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity-disorder is the most common child disorder, which affects about 4.6 million American (eight percent) school aged children. ADHD is ‘a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity.” These symptoms should have begun before age seven, must be present for at least six months and cause problems in everyday functioning in at least two settings (e.g., school vs. home).
A recent study by Getahun and colleagues found a 70 percent increase in the number of ADHD diagnoses among African-American children, with a 90 percent increase among African-American girls. This is compared to smaller increases in other groups — 60 percent among Hispanic youth and 30 percent among white youth. Dr. Richard Gallagher of the Institute for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity and Behavior Disorders at NYU Child Study Center cautions to not be alarmed that there has been a huge jump in the use of the diagnosis of ADHD. In fact, several studies show youth of color have previously been under-diagnosed for ADHD.
How does ADHD affect children?
Children with untreated ADHD are more likely to have problems in school because they are easily distracted and have difficulty learning. Untreated ADHD also impacts social relationships because children with ADHD often don’t get along well with others. An additional consequence of untreated ADHD is an increase in physical injuries due to hyperactivity and disruptive outbursts.
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This study is total bulls**t. It’s not ADHD that black kids suffer from, what it is is that inante knowledge that they are being trained into a white culture that says you are to be a negroe forever. That means being what white America has put in place for these black clones of white people to teach you. The only thing real is the math and the sciences and all other thought is that of what whitey want black kids to learn in order to become mindless people of themselves, just like their parents. Stop lisrening to these cracker polls and studies, naturally they are no different than the time of the original Jim Crow teachings. This is a form of the new Jim Crow.
There are 2 main causes for this increase in ADHD. (1) Poor nutrition….kids are eating too much junk food…like chips, candy, cookies, etc. They are not getting adequate “brain food”…vitamins, minerals, protein, enzymes, etc. — from good fresh fruits and veggies. They are not eating lots of fish and foods that build up the body.
(2) Too many schools are not using good teaching methods (reducing the use of CREATIVITY) …and children are expected to perform like little robots. Classes are designed to turn the students in to “standardized test takers.” This problem came about with NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND. In some schools they have cut out RECESS, SPORTS and classes like BAND, DRAMA, etc. — where the students get to move around, think, talk to others and be CREATIVE.
And in far too many cases — there is nothing taught about BLACK HISTORY or similar topics..which inspire and build up self-esteem.
It is NOT some kind of medication, drugs, or treatments that the kids need. Too many doctors are too quick to make such a diagnosis.
It’s easy to overcome this, turn off the TV, and electronic games.
Sit them down each and every day and go over there home work, if they don’t have any, you create some work for them to do.
By the age of 4 the child should be able to read a book to you.
At the age of 6 the child should be able to count, and do simple math, 5 minus 3.
The Children get hyped up on “sponge bob” and the like from the time they are 2 years old and it never stops!
If we as children never had the problem what would make you believe your childern now have “ADHD” and they cure it with drugs! Do not allow your child to take the drugs, particularly if they pay you to be in a program!
Why is the program seldom implemented in the surburban schools!
You have to understand the power of theTV! Turn it off!
Your childeren have no need to be in front of it for 4, 5, and 6 hours per day!
Lord help us!!! I just finished reading the article about Black males and the prison industry. Now they want to shoot our children up with drugs!! Heaven help us Black people!
If anyone comes near my Black child with a needle or drug pills, I’ll SHOOT them!
ADHD is simply the ability of an individual to learn faster than the brain factory is able to provide knowledge. For this individual group think does not work. It takes an ADHD teacher to teach an ADHD child. Without knowing the learning style of the individual and engaging them within it one cannot impart knowledge. Drugs only make zombies out of brilliant children. A hyperstimulated culture needs individuals that can learn at hyper speeds. These are your ADHD individuals. Engage and use their skills or loose their valuable contribution to the community and the nation as a whole.
A lot of you have good intentions with your comments. But, unfortunately you’re mistaken. First of all, I am an educator with a child with ADHD. No, he does not have a poor diet, no he does not watch a lot of television, and no his mother never used drugs ever. No, he was not able to focus in class, he was not able to remain seated (there are times when one must remain in his seat); no he could not learn what he needed to learn. Yes, he had an excellent teacher, yes, he had great parents, and yes he needed medication. Now he’s in his second year of college. There are too many parents denying their child and others an opportunity to learn because they don’t want to give them the prescription that may save them. But, if he had cancer you would medicate, when he gets the flu you medicate, if he had a mental illness you all would medicate. There are children diagnosed as ADHD with parents refusing to give them the meds that they need. Maybe not all of them but a large percentage of them would be helped by this. But, instead he runs around the school torturing him self and other students. He shouts out in class, hits, kicks, and all other disruptive behaviors. Not because he’s bad, or undisciplined. But, he has ADHD. So, please stop spreading ignorance with your words.
I agree with Teach. Yes, poor nutrition, allegeries and environment can plpay a role, but one of the reasons that more kids in general are getting diagnosed is that the medical profession knows more about the disorder. My oldest son was diagnosed with ADHD in late 2011. On a 10 point scale, his ADHA rates about a 5. The disorder definitely affected his academic performance. All of his teachers knew that he was smart, gifted even in some areas (He is 10, but reads at the 9th/10th grade level), but he just couldn’t focus for long priod of time on certain subjects, especially math. It broke my heart that he worked hard, and only got Cs, Ds and Es in most subjects. It started to take a toll on his self esteem because of his poor grades, and because he got in trouble due to poor impulse control. I jumped in at that point. I took on his father and my extended family (both of whom thought that he just needed a beating), and paid a pretty penny to get him tested, outside of the school system, by a company recommended by is pediatrician. The testing took 3 days, but now I have a comprehensive picture of how my son processes information. Now, after being on medication (low dosage, and slow release), he earns all As and Bs easily. He does have an individual education plan (IEP) in place, but with minimal accommodations. He completes assignment quickly and accurately, and even has time to help his classmates with their work, especially in art, science and computer classes. He even gets along much better with other kids, including his younger brother, and with adults. I’m glad that he got tested and is progressing well academically and socially. I encourage parents to observe your kids (You spend more time with them than doctors and teacher), be engaged in the school, and use the system to be an advocate for your kids.
Do you feel that the curriculum is not challenging for your son? Does your son feel this way?
My son is currently going through this outburst and constantly getting in trouble and horrible relationships with other kids. I don’t feed him junk food, as a matter of fact he eats a home cooked meal every night, has chores, gets reprimanded for his behavior and I have sought out family, friends, medicine and nothing has helped. At some point, kids have to take responsibility for their actions. As a parent who has come to every meeting, I feel society punishes parents for the issues their children have while at the same time punishes parents for trying to discipline their kids.
Yes it is the parents responsibility, at the same time, not all parents believe taking the pills will give them “me” time. I have tried sports, activities, bribes, money, punishment, taking away of activities, positive rewards, spanking, talking, praying. Sometimes the kid has to want to do better on their own and NOTHING you do as a parent can make that happen for them.