Practical Management of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Children who fulfil the diagnostic criteria for ADHD are found in almost all cultures that have been studied so far· The rates differ to some extent often reflecting the different instruments of assessment used. Cultural environment may affect a child's behaviour, but the differing attitudes of parents, teachers, clinicians and the society towards acceptable behaviour will also influence diagnosis • Some European countries (e.g. Italy, Spain) and India and other Southeast Asian countries can be more accepting of boisterous, noisy behaviour and hence more 'child friendly' and more accepting and absorbing of the 'ADHD' like behaviour as 'normal'. At present there is a pressing need and scope for research looking into culture /ethnicity sensitive research instruments to explore this area further. Issues in diagnosis Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is the diagnostic category in DSM-IV (American Psychiatric Association