Do 1 in 10 Children have ADHD?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),  close to 10 percent of children aged four to 17 in the United States have ever been diagnosed with ADHD.  This number has continued to rise in recent years.   The National Institutes of Health, states ADHD is the most common behavioral disorder among children.

Lara J. Akinbami, a medical officer with theNational Centerfor Health Statistics says, “It would be hard for me to argue that what we see here is a true change in prevalence,” Akinbami added. “Instead, I would say that most probably what we found has a lot to do with better access to health care among a broader group of children, and doctors who have become more and more familiar with this condition and now have better tools to screen for it. So, this is probably about better screening, rather than a real increase, and that means we may continue to see this pattern unfold.”

 Children diagnosed with ADHD, are often thought of as not having the ability to control themselves, sit still for very long or concentrate on anything for a length of time.  While this may true for some, it is not the same for all.  As I always say, a diagnosis is simply one factor determining how a child will find their fit within the world.  When it comes to the use of therapies, such as pediatric massage therapy, just knowing a diagnosis does not give you the full picture.  It is imperative that we meet each client and learn what they need to best succeed.

 However, the question for the massage therapy profession, what are the benefits for children with ADHD?

Tiffany Field and her colleagues at the Touch Research Institute have published studies on just this subject.  After receiving massage for two weeks, participants rated themselves as happier and they appeared to “fidget” less in classroom settings.   Anecdotally speaking, through my practice, I have noticed children who will sit still longer and focus more effectively after massage.  Parents have reported their children are more successful in school settings if massage is the first part of their day.

With this diagnosis on the rise, pediatric massage therapists need to arm themselves with tools, techniques and approaches to best serve children with ADHD.  By doing our part now to support these children, we positively impact their future.