Misdiagnosis

of ADHD in Gifted StudentsBy Monique Sims

Webb, J. T., Amend, E. R., Webb, N. E., Goerss, J., Beljan, P., & Olenchak, F. R. (2005). Misdiagnosis and Dual Diagnosis of Gifted Children and Adults. Great

Potential Press, Inc: Scottsdale, AZ.

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

0 1800’s

0 Causes

0 Focus on identifying and remediating symptoms

0 Increase in referrals both gifted and non-gifted

0 What is it?

0 DSM-IV

Similar but Different

0 Overexcitabilities

0 Ex. Psychomotor

0 Asynchrony vs. ADHD

0 Ex. Impulse control

0 Social Relationships

0 Inattention

0 Question authority

The Key!

0Environmental influence

Differences

Adapted from Lind, (1996)

Problems with Misdiagnosis

0 Parent/teacher referrals

0 Strict focus on behavior

0 Lack of training

0 Lack of comprehensive evaluation

0 Medication

0 Inappropriate education placement

Counter Argument

0Underrepresentation and late referral

0Compensation strategies

Other Misdiagnosis and Dual Diagnosis

0 Oppositional Defiant Disorder

0 Bipolar Disorder

0 OCD

0 Learning Disabilities

0 ADHD

The Future

0 CONTEXT!

0 Educational Intervention

0 Comprehensive evaluation

0 Pre-service training an professional development

0 More empirical research