A new study by Scientists at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC) reveals that two million more children in the United States have been diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and one million more U.S. children were taking medication for ADHD than 8 years ago( J. Am. Acad. Child Adolesc. Psychiatry, 2013.) Half of children diagnosed with ADHD are diagnosed by 6 years of age. And 1/2 of children with more severe ADHD tend to be diagnosed by the age of 4. As of last year, 11 percent of U.S. children 4-17 years of age had been diagnosed with ADHD and 1/2 were taking medication. 70% of all ADHD diagnosed children take medication. States vary widely in terms of diagnosis, ranging from 15 percent in Arkansas and Kentucky to 4 percent in Nevada. Nearly one in five high school boys and one in 11 high school girls in the United States were reported by their parents as having been diagnosed with ADHD.

According to Dr Levinson, these rising statistics reflect better understanding and treatment. Levinson believes the Male/Female incidence of ADHD and dyslexia are the same. Different diagnostic rates are due to the fact that boys with ADHD act- out more whereas girls compensate better. Although the reported incidence of ADHD was recently reported to be less in sun states such as Nevada, referral differences based on other factors are considered to be important considerations. Susanna Visser, a researcher from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and lead author of the study, says, "I don't think we have our doctors out there labeling children irresponsibly. In general, physicians are trying to help children with their needs."

About Harold Levinson, M.D.

Formerly Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry at New York University Medical Center, Dr. Harold Levinson is currently Director of the Levinson Medical Center for Learning Disabilities in Great Neck, Long Island, New York. He is a well known neuropsychiatrist, clinical researcher and author. His "highly original" research into the cerebellar-vestibular (inner-ear) origins and treatment of dyslexia and related learning, attention-deficit/hyperactivity and anxiety or phobic disorders has evolved over the past four decades. Initially supported by Nobel Laureate Sir John Eccles and other outstanding cerebellar neurophysiologists and inner-ear scientists, Levinson's research has more recently been independently validated worldwide by highly sophisticated neuroimaging brain studies.

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