Symptoms, Cognitive Abilities, Demographics Tied to Age of ADHD Diagnosis

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com.

By Lori Solomon HealthDay Reporter

THURSDAY, July 18, 2024 -- IQ, sex, internalizing symptoms, externalizing symptoms, and sociodemographic factors all affect the age of diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children, according to a study published online June 23 in the British Journal of Clinical Psychology.

Carolynn Hare, from the University of Western Ontario in London, Canada, and colleagues examined how child sex and cognitive abilities together are related to the age of ADHD diagnosis and whether symptom presentation (current internalizing and externalizing symptoms) and demographic factors are related to age of diagnosis. The analysis included 1,380 children with ADHD.

The researchers found that higher IQ was related to a later age of diagnosis. Earlier diagnosis was associated with higher hyperactive-impulsive symptoms and externalizing symptoms. In girls, internalizing symptoms tended to be associated with a later age of diagnosis. Later age of diagnosis was associated with higher socioeconomic status and non-White maternal ethnicity.

This study "provides evidence that individual differences, such as cognitive abilities, sex, ADHD symptom presentation, and internalizing and externalizing symptoms, may be related to when an individual receives an ADHD diagnosis. Additionally, it provides evidence that demographic factors, such as ethnicity and socioeconomic status may be related to when an individual receives an ADHD diagnosis," the authors write. "Clinicians should be mindful of these individual differences and demographic factors, and these should be considered when giving diagnoses. On the other hand, these factors may be inhibiting individuals from seeking a diagnosis."

Abstract/Full Text

Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

Source: HealthDay

Read more

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Popular Keywords