final project artifact chandler owens
TRANSCRIPT
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American ADHDvs. French ADHD
Why are the numbers so significantly different?
Author: Chandler Owens
Parents
Doctors
Counselors
Teachers
Anyone working or dealing with children on a daily basis
Target Audience
I made this artifact in hopes to make aware the huge difference in number of children diagnosed with ADHD in American and in France
Why do we have so many more children with this condition?
Is there anything we can do?
Why?
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a chronic condition that affects millions of children and often persists into adulthood. ADHD includes a combination of problems
Definition of ADHD
Difficulty paying attention Frequently daydreaming Difficulty following through on instructions and apparently
not listening Frequently has problems organizing tasks or activities Frequently forgetful and loses needed items, such as
books, pencils or toys Frequently fails to finish schoolwork, chores or other tasks Easily distracted Frequently fidgets or squirms Difficulty remaining seated and seemly in constant motion Excessively talkative Frequently interrupts or intrudes on others' conversations
or games Frequently has trouble waiting for his or her turn
Symptoms of ADHD
9% of children in the United States have been diagnosed with ADHD
Only 0.5% of children in France have been diagnosed for the same
Let’s Look at the Numbers
This year, 11% of children ages 4-17 have been diagnosed with ADHD in the United States
Out of 6.4 million children who are diagnosed, most of them have no psychological differences dealing with being distracted than any other child without the diagnosis
More Numbers..
American psychiatrists state that ADHD is a biological disorder that can be treated with biological medications
There is no scientific evidence of this
French psychiatrists believe it to be a medical condition resulting from situational causes
The French believe in treatment by finding the root of what could be causing stress on the child, not medication
More of a social aspect than a brain aspect Counseling is a top priority Only 25% of ADHD diagnosis’ in the United States are given
behavioral therapy
The Main Difference
The definition of ADHD in France is much more narrow, resulting in fewer diagnosis
The French have a classification known as CFTMEA This focuses on finding the true root of the psychosocial problems Rather than just giving medication Counseling is number 1
American has a classification known as DSM Most children are given medicines, such as Adderall, to treat the
symptoms of ADHD Instead of figuring out what could be causing these things
When making the diagnosis
DIET
Preservatives, artificial ingredients, chemicals all play a role in our brain function
American food isn’t known for its “health” benefits We are a pretty unhealthy country
French food is much more fresh and free of fake ingredients
When a child is diagnosed with ADHD in France, the diet is one of the first things to be examined
In America, the diet gets ignored with most children
Other Factors
Child Rearing How a child is raised varies parent to parent
It also varies significantly from America to France
France: more strict and structured American: more laid back and leisurely
The French emphasize self control in children early on, which results in adolescents and young adults who know how to control themselves
In the US, children are more free to do as they please and act out how they want, resulting in uncontrolled behavior
Other Factors
TV Any shows geared toward children under
the age of 3 are banned in France Not so much in the United States
TV has been shown to cause attention and concentration problems
Studies are shown that watching TV at a young age can slow development
America has numerous shows aimed at children of three years and younger
This isn’t saying that French children don’t watch TV, it is just not supported and encouraged as much as it is in America
Other factors
According to PBS Frontline, “The US drastically outpaces the rest of the world in its consumption of stimulant drugs used to treat the symptoms of ADHD;
we produce and consume about 85 percent of the world’s methylphenidate (the active ingredient in Ritalin).”
Stanler, The Cincinnati Post 2000
France –find and treat the root of the social causes for the ADHD
America – treat the symptoms and cover them up enough to be dealt with
**If we can find the stresses and causes, then maybe so many cases in America can be avoided and our numbers won’t be so high
To Sum it up…
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. (2013, March 5). Retrieved June 10, 2015, from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/adhd/basics/definition/CON-20023647
Garbarino, C. (2013, May 20). Why American Kids Have ADHD and French Kids Don’t. Retrieved June 10, 2015, from http://www.firstthings.com/blogs/firstthoughts/2013/05/why-american-kids-have-adhd-and-french- kids-don't/
Jannelli, V. (2014, October 30). Why french kids don't have ADHD? - actually, they do. Retrieved June 10, 2015, from http://pediatrics.about.com/b/2012/03/12/why-french-kids-dont-have-adhd-actually-they-do.htm
Koerth-baker, M. (2013, October 19). The not-so-hidden cause behind the A.D.H.D. epidemic. Retrieved June 17, 2015, from http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/20/magazine/the-not-so-hidden-cause-behind-the-adhd-
epidemic.html?_r=0
Svitak, A. (2015). Berkeley political review. Retrieved June 17, 2015, from http://bpr.berkeley.edu/2014/11/15/children-left-behind-the-adhd-epidemic-and-problems-in-american-education/
Wedge, M. (2012, March 8). Why french kids don't have ADHD. Retrieved June 10, 2015, from https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/suffer-the-children/201203/why-french-kids-dont-have- adhd
Wedge, M. (2012, September 22). Why french kids don't have ADHD-Part 2. Retrieved June 10, 2015, from https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/suffer-the-children/201209/why-french-kids-don-t-have-adhd- part-2
References