DIAGNOSING ATTENTION-DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER IN CHILDREN/

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a heterogenous beha vioral disorder of uncertain etiology that is always evident first in childhood. The correct diagnosis of the ADHD patient thus requires fam iliarity with how the diagnosis should be established across the life span. This article provides a description of the DSM-IV syndrome of AD HD, information on prevalence, and an overview of standard methods use d in office practice to diagnose ADHD in children. These practice para meters will be examined in the light of the practitioner's current con cerns about the validity of the diagnosis.