In 2002 a consortium of distinguished scientists, researchers, and physicians gathered to issue a statement of their agreement about ADHD. Concerned about some of the portrayal of ADHD in media reports, the group expressed the fear that inaccurate stories about ADHD were spreading myths or were reporting that ADHD was either a fraud or a benign condition. Misperceptions may cause many individuals not to seek help of treatment. Such stories lead people to trivialize the condition and not consider it a valid condition. The group sought to help people understand that the views of a handful of nonexpert doctors who claim that ADHD does not exist are not substantiated by mainstream scientific views and studies.

Because of overwhelming scientific evidence, the U.S. Surgeon General, the American Medical Association, the American Psychiatric Association, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, the American Psychological Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and others recognize ADHD as a valid disorder. The groups recognize that individuals who suffer from the disorder have a serious deficiency or failure that is universal to humans and that deficiency leads to harm for that person. The deficiency affects the life functioning of that individual.

The consortium emphasized the following points in this statement:

- Through numerous studies, specific brain regions, including the frontal lobe, its connections to the basal ganglia, and certain parts of the cerebellum link to ADHD.

- Most people with ADHD have less electrical activity in some areas of the brain and show less stimulation in one or more of these regions.

- Numerous studies of twins in the United States, Norway, Australia, and other countries have shown the condition to be inherited.

- Studies of twins have shown that family environment does not make a significant difference, although the consortium does recognize that the home environment does have an effect on individuals.

- Hundreds of studies show that education combined with family, education, and social accommodations can make a difference in the lives of individuals.

- ADHD is not a benign condition and can cause devastating problems for an individual.

The group laments that less than half of those with the disorder are receiving treatment. They implore the media to portray ADHD and the science about it as accurately as possible. Eighty-six scientists, researchers, and physicians signed the document.

Bibliography:

Barkley, R. A. 2002. International consensus statement on ADHD. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review 5(2):89-111.

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