Graduation Year
Fall 2010
Document Type
Open Access Senior Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts
Department
Psychology
Reader 1
Mark Costanzo
Abstract
In recent decades a growing number of individuals in preschool, middle childhood and adolescence have been diagnosed with ADHD. Accompanying increasing rates of diagnoses is an increase in the use of stimulant medication in preschool populations, a practice not approved by the Food and Drug Administration. This paper reviews the current literature pertaining the social and developmental consequences of ADHD, its effect on the child and family, treatment strategies with and without the use of stimulants, and cultural and diagnostic trends which may be contributing to the rising number of diagnoses. A review of the literature suggests that there is a dire need for further empirical research into the use of stimulant medications in preschoolers, and a number of cultural factors unique to the United States have contributed to increasing rates of ADHD diagnosis.
Recommended Citation
Bean, Nelson M., "ADHD: Culture, Treatment Strategies and their Relevance to Preschool Children" (2010). CMC Senior Theses. 16.
https://scholarship.claremont.edu/cmc_theses/16
Included in
Child Psychology Commons, Developmental Psychology Commons, Education Policy Commons, Health Psychology Commons
