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Photo of David Dopkin

CDC finds more kids being diagnosed with ADHD

On Behalf of | Dec 4, 2013 | Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

It can be understandably difficult for parents to learn that their child has been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. In fact, they find themselves experiencing very legitimate concerns about the long-term wellbeing of their child and about how they can cover the expenses associated with this condition.

Fortunately, parents in these situations may be able to secure much-needed assistance for their children via the Supplemental Security Income program if their child meets the rather exacting criteria set forth by the Social Security Administration.

While parents of children diagnosed with ADHD can take comfort in this fact, they may also take comfort from recently released data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showing that they are not alone.

Based on a 2011 survey of nearly 100,000 parents and published online in most recent edition of the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, the CDC data reveals that more than one out of every ten kids between the ages of 4 to 17 were diagnosed with ADHD.

Breaking the numbers down, the CDC found 6.4 million children — 11 percent — were diagnosed with the chronic pediatric condition and that more than two-thirds of these children were currently taking some type of medication.

Curiously, CDC data from 2007 found that 9.5 percent of children were diagnosed with ADHD, and CDC data from 2003 found that 7.8 percent of children were diagnosed with ADHD.

While it would be tempting to draw the conclusion that the number of ADHD cases has exploded over the last decade, CDC officials stopped short of making any sort of definitive statement, claiming that it’s unclear whether this is indeed the case or whether doctors are now better able to recognize and diagnose the condition.

If you believe that you have been wrongly denied SSD benefits or would like to learn more about SSI benefits, consider speaking with an experienced attorney dedicated to securing the assistance you need and deserve.

Source: The Disability Scoop, “More than 1 in 10 kids diagnosed with ADHD,” Shaun Heasley, Nov. 25, 2013