It is widely acknowledged that the prevalence of ADHD has been increasing, with the CDC reporting in 2011 that approximately 6.4 million children between 4 and 17 years of age have been diagnosed with ADHD.  7.8% of children in America were diagnosed with ADHD in 2003, but by 2011 that percentage had increased to 11%.   Many factors most likely contribute to this increase, and a few recent articles provide some clues.  Some theorize the affected children are manifesting an immaturity of their prefrontal cortex, the area of the brain responsible for strategizing and controlling impulses.  Genetics also seems to play a role, as does parenting, nutrition, and environment. 

This month's newsletter provides information from recent research that may help you as you parent your child - with or without ADHD.

Another significant factor is the increased exposure to screen time which has been addressed in previous newsletters.  See the archived newsletters on Video games, Cell phones, and Inattention.  Dr. Dimitri Christakis has a powerful lecture on TEDx on the relationship between increased screen time in young children and later problems with inattention. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BoT7qH_uVNo#t=947