ADHD/LD, the Non-Disability Disability

A Not-So-Silent Epidemic

Brice Johnson

How may of these kids have ADHD?

Answer: 3

One receives appropriate treatment

ADHD/LD, the Non-Disability Disability

What is ADHD-LD? a neurobehavioral disorder

characterized by pervasive inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity that often results in substantial functional impairment

(CDC, 2005)

What is ADHD-LD?

Approximately 4.4 million children aged 4 to 17 years were reported to have a history of ADHD diagnosis; of these,

2.5 million (56%) were reported to be

taking medication for the disorder

(CDC, 2005)

Societal Cost of ADHD

The “cost of illness” for ADHD, is between $36 & $52 billion

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

CDC data understates the number of children with ADHD,

many parents are apprehensive about diagnosing and treating their ADHD children and

the resulting underassessment negatively affects access to special education.

Our system of educating children is not equipped to educate these children and may not be funded appropriately to do so.

A significant percentage of ADHD – diagnosed children are also diagnosed with Learning Disabilities (LD).

What are the barriers to treatment?

1.Social stigma – seen as misbehavior/bad parenting

2.Fear of drug treatment

3.Admission that child is not “normal”

4.Denial/disbelief

5.No access to health care

2.9% of children between ages 6-11 have both ADHD and LD but

4.4% of 12-17 year olds are diagnosed with both

This means 33% of diagnosed 12-17 year olds suffered until adolescent age before they were provided help

Onset of these disabilities is not age dependant

What CDC Data Missed

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Of children between 6-17 years 2.6% have both ADHD and LD & are also

uninsured, 5.9% have both ADHD and LD & are also

users of Medicaid, and 3.1% have both ADHD and LD & are also have

private health insurance

The disabilities are not tied to socio-economics

What Else the CDC Data Missed

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

2.9%

5.9%

3.1%

What Else the CDC Data Missed

6.1% of children living with Mother only

3.1% of children with mother and father

The disabilities are not tied to family makeup

What Else the CDC Data Missed

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Education level of mother influence: 5.2% Some college - were most likely to have

both disorders 5.1% HS diploma or GED 3.1% ≤ HS diploma 2.3% Children of mothers with a bachelor

degree - were least likely to have both disorders

The disabilities are not tied to education level of mothers or financial status

What Else the CDC Data Missed

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

How widespread is ADHD-LD?

4.5 Million Kids w/ ADHD

4.6 Million Kids w/ LD4.1 Million Kids w/ Both

Special Education

59.3% of students with ADHD and LD are receiving special education

What of the 48.7% who are not?

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

In the Classroom 2 boys with ADHD 2 boys with LD 1 boy with both 1 each category for girls = 3 Total is 8 of 24 kids (typical

class)

In the Classroom

The DOEd recommends an IEP for each child.

$8,472 per Spec. Ed. Student = $67,776 per classroom PLUS prop tax $11M/kid

Clearly there is enough funding for trained teachers aids

Conclusion 8.4% of kids have ADHD 8.7% have LD $52 Billion cost Only includes diagnosed kids –flawed stats Many barriers to diagnosis –denial - finance Schools get funding but it doesn’t make it to

classroom so… Teachers can’t or don’t apply DOEd

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