ADHD Linked with Dropping out of High School, British Officially Investigate Rise of LD Kids, and More

ADD/ADHD Teens Least Likely to Graduate High School Ofn Time

According to a study published in the Journal of Psychiatric Research, teens with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADD/ADHD) are less likely to graduate from high school on time than those without the condition. While ADD/ADHD is the most common childhood psychiatric condition in the U.S. and is often considered less serious than many other mental health disorders, students with the condition are the most likely to have difficulty graduating, even surpassing children with disciplinary problems. Researchers from the UC Davis School of Medicine found that one-third of students with ADD/ADHD did not graduate on time -- twice the rate of students overall. [Source: Medical News Today]

Rise in LD Kids Prompts British Investigation

A sharp increase in the number of cases of children with special needs has drawn concern from the British government, prompting the country's new Children's Minister, Sarah Teather, to open an official investigation. Officials fear that children are potentially being over-diagnosed -- either as a means of explaining bad behavior or to get more funding for schools. [Source: The Telegraph]

Chemical Common in Consumer Products May Contribute to ADD/ADHD

A team of Boston University School of Public Health researchers has found a potential link between polyfluoroalkyl chemicals (PFCs) and ADD/ADHD in children. PFCs are highly stable industrial compounds widely used in consumer products like stain-resistant coatings, food packaging, and fire-fighting foams. The authors of Environmental Health Perspectives explain that while they think there is a clear correlation between ADD/ADHD and the levels of PFCs found in a child's bloodstream, it is unclear whether children with ADD/ADHD engage in behavior leading to increased PFC exposure or if higher PFC levels in children result in the disorder. [Source: Medical News Today]

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