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11.2: The History of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

  • Page ID
    178869

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    ADHD has gained attention in recent years, but the condition was first described in 1902 by George F. Still, a British physician. He presented a series of papers to the Royal College of Physicians describing children with a variety of characteristics, including attention problems and hyperactivity. In the 20th century, professionals began recognizing what would eventually become ADHD as a specific disorder and that students with this disorder had unique educational needs.

    In the 1960s, the second edition of the DSM defined the term hyperkinetic reaction disorder of childhood. In the 1970s, professionals shifted their research interest from hyperactivity to attention problems, which resulted in the introduction of the term attention deficit disorders with or without hyperactivity in the third edition of the DSM. In 1987, the DSM removed the hyperactivity option and replaced it with undifferentiated attention deficit disorder. In 1994, the current term, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, was introduced (Smiley et al., 2022).


    Smiley, L. R., Richards, S.B., & Taylor, R. (2022). Exceptional students: Preparing teachers for the 21st century (4th ed.). McGraw Hill.