Stop, look, and listen: the challenge for children with ADHD

Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neuropsychiatric disorder that appears in 4% to 13% of the U. S. population. Contrary to earlier beliefs, ADHD frequently persists into adolescence and adulthood and is associated with poor health choices and risk-taking behavior. Despite a vast amount of scientific literature addressing the disorder, many misconceptions and myths prevail creating confusion for children, their families, and health professionals as they attempt to make treatment decisions. One new theoretical model of ADHD shows promise in its ability to provide a more comprehensive explanation of the disorder; it could prove useful in the development of interventions and research programs to improve health maintenance and decrease health-risk behavior in the ADHD population.