We’ve all known them, kids who sit quietly at home or at school, lost in their own thoughts and unable to concentrate on the task at hand. Children who struggle to concentrate and have learning difficulties, often become lost in their own thoughts. These 'daydreamers' may be diagnosed with ADHD. But Russell Barkley, a leading expert in ADHD in the U.S., says many of these children are diagnosed incorrectly.

Psychiatrists diagnose people with schizophrenia, ADHD, bipolar disorder and other mental illnesses by spending time with them, looking for the particular behavior symptoms of each. What follows can be a hit-or-miss series of medications and dosages until disruptive behaviors go away. By deciphering the circuitry of the medial frontal cortex—an area beneath the top of the head—those diagnoses could become much more efficient and precise by allowing physicians to diagnose based on how neurons respond to a simple series of behavior tests.

Children with symptoms of ODD are often judged or viewed negatively because of their behavior. ODD may become a label to describe them. This stigma can have a negative effect on development and growth, especially when it stems from the (false) assumption that ODD can’t be treated...Here are some common myths about ODD—and the facts to dispel them.

A new Hong Kong study, published in the journal PLOS ONE, finds that when preschoolers are connected to nature, they have fewer behavioral and emotional difficulties, show improved prosocial behaviors and are less distressed and hyperactive.

When a child is diagnosed with ADHD, parents confront the difficult decision about which treatment(s) to pursue to best help their child succeed. While deciding on an initial treatment plan is important, equally important is establishing a plan to monitor how well that treatment is working on a sustained basis, regardless of what specific treatment(s) is being used.

Psychologists refer to the act of reframing how you view a stressful situation as positive reappraisal. Positive reappraisal is about taking a negative event in your life and finding a way to see it in a more positive way. Research suggests that from a mental health standpoint, this is a valuable coping skill to have. For example, a study published last summer identified positive reappraisal as one of three coping strategies linked with higher wellbeing.

It was before bedtime when we go over our highs and lows of the day when my six-year-old son said, “My low today was when my friend said that his mom told him he couldn’t play with me anymore.” My heart broke. It’s not unexpected. My son has ADHD and has struggled with impulse control and inappropriate behaviors his entire life.

There is increasing evidence that girls with the disorder are underdiagnosed. And while the symptoms might change over time, ADHD doesn’t just disappear when you reach adulthood. So what does that mean for adult women with the disorder? Sari Solden is an Ann Arbor-based therapist, who has authored books on women with ADHD. Solden has also been diagnosed with ADHD herself.

Neurodiversity is the idea that neurological differences are the result of normal, natural variations in the human genome. They do not need to be cured. Instead they need help and accommodation. Organizations where leaders make such accommodations reap tremendous benefits. Common disorders that fall into this category include: autistic spectrum disorders; dyspraxia; dyslexia; and, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) among others.