There have been previous studies that have suggested that immaturity may contribute to some behaviors that were attributed to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). There was a recent study that supports that claim. Specifically, there was an insurance database study of >407,000 children that highlight the need for a practitioner considering the patients maturity level when making an ADHD diagnosis. In states with a September 1st deadline for enrollment in kindergarten, children with August birthdays had higher rates of diagnosis of ADHD at age four to seven years than children with September birthdays (8.5 versus 6.4 per 1000); they also had higher rates of pharmacologic treatment.
This new study spotlights the importance of considering relative immaturity and adhering to ADHD diagnostic criteria when evaluating children for ADHD.
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