Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Abstract

Abstract This chapter focuses on attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children, which in the United States has become a highly prevalent diagnosis for many reasons and has been associated with controversies, which are discussed. Underdiagnosis, particularly of Black children, has become a recent concern. The current formulation of ADHD as a neurodevelopmental disorder means that biological contributors are emphasized. However, social factors may also play a role in development. School intervention and behavior therapy, the most researched psychosocial interventions, are reviewed, as are stimulant medications. Assessment and intervention strategies are applied to a case example. Recovery from ADHD may happen over time, but it often continues in adolescence and into early adulthood; therefore, interventions should focus on helping clients learn to cope with, compensate for, and accommodate to symptoms.