Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder diagnoses are increasingly rampant among children in the state of Kentucky, nearly double the national average, according to a recent article in The Courier-Journal.
The latest statistics from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show 19 percent of Kentucky children ages 4-17 have been diagnosed with ADHD at some point, the highest state percentage in the nation. The national average is 11 percent.
ADHD levels have risen steeply in the past decade nationwide, with 6 million children diagnosed at some point in their lives.
The reason for the increase in diagnoses is unclear. Some say overworked primary care doctors who aren't experts in the disorder may be over-diagnosing - and possibly over-prescribing - both locally and nationwide. Others theorize the numbers in Kentucky could be linked to rampant poverty or that children statewide may be genetically prone to the disorder.
"We're probably over-diagnosing it to a certain extent," said Dr. Christopher Peters, a psychiatrist and assistant professor in the University of Louisville's pediatrics department. "But these numbers indicate a problem. There are many kids in need." Read the full details here:
If your child suffers from ADHD, you should read this article.
If you or anyone in your family has suffered serious side effects or damages from a medication error you should seek legal investigation immediately. Crandall & Pera Law is available to help answer your questions and guide you in determining your next steps.