A recent study from the University of Nottingham revealed that teachers may misinterpret age-related immaturity in young students as symptoms of ADHD or ASD. The study found that the youngest children in a class were more likely to receive an ADHD diagnosis or medication, highlighting a potential bias in identifying these conditions. Patricia Wu and Jessica Reyes discuss the study’s findings with Jojo Venant.
The setbacks younger children face
Researchers emphasize the importance of considering a child’s age relative to their classmates when evaluating potential ADHD or ASD. This is particularly crucial as teachers tend to rate younger students as having more ADHD symptoms compared to parents.
Is more research needed on “relative age”?
While the study confirms existing research on the “relative age” effect, it suggests that this knowledge hasn’t significantly changed how these conditions are diagnosed. The researchers reviewed 32 studies, primarily focusing on ADHD, and found consistent evidence of this bias. More research is needed on ASD due to limited available data.
Supporting those who misinterpret symptoms
The study concludes by urging for better support for teachers in understanding the relative age effect to ensure accurate diagnoses of ADHD and ASD.
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