ADHD Facts

The Mahoning County Juvenile Justice Center, under the direction of Judge Theresa Dellick, is concluding a two-year study of the relationship between Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and anti-social behavior. Dr. Michael A. Kachmer is medical director for the study, which was paid for with two grants, totaling $83,344, from the Ohio Department of Youth Services, and other court prevention funds. About ADHD:

Symptoms are attention deficit, hyperactivity, impulsivity and bad temper. To be diagnosed with the disorder, it is not necessary to have all the symptoms. Some children have only one or two symptoms.

ADHD affects 6 percent to 8 percent of the U.S. population and is the most-heritable disorder seen in psychiatry.

Nationally, an estimated 20 percent of people in prison and 50 percent of drug abusers have untreated ADHD. It is the No. 1 condition co-occurring with other problems, such as depression, substance abuse and anti-social behavior.

Nationally, an estimated 46 percent of students in the juvenile justice system have ADHD.

A single delinquent career can cost the public $1 million to $1.3 million.

Harvard University studies say that 30 percent of children will outgrow ADHD, while for 70 percent, it persists into adult life. Of the 70 percent who retain the condition into adulthood, if they go untreated, 70 percent of that group will become drug abusers.

Students with ADHD are at increased risk for academic problems and dropout, anti-social behavior, drug and substance abuse and depression. They display social and emotional problems as a result of misunderstanding social cues, their feelings of lacking control over situations and low self-esteem.