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Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder Essay

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Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, also known as ADHD, is one of the most prevalent childhood and adolescence disorder. ADHD world prevalence rates is around 5% and “range from 1% to 20% among school-age children (Sciotto, …2016, p. 35). There is a variability in prevalence rates across countries, which has led to researchers to question whether ADHD diagnosis reflects the norms and biases of western cultures. Even though the diagnosis are thought to reflect western cultures and norms, it has been difficult to agree professionally on what ADHD is, what should be done about it, and how it should be approached (Timimi, S. & Taylor, E., 2003, p. 8). There is a lack of specific cognitive, metabolic, or neurological procedures and medical tests for ADHD. In addition to this lack, considering the different cultures adds to the difficulty of accurately identifying ADHD. It is, however, important to realize that culture plays an important role in identifying, diagnosing, and treating ADHD. Variations in diagnostic practices, medication treatment prevalence, school system policies, and cultural attitudes influences the availability to services for ADHD (Scuitto et al., 2016, p.35). Since it is evident in every culture, Malaysia, a country in Asia, is not immune to attention deficit hyperactive disorder. Based on a parent-teacher ratings of Malaysian primary school-aged children, the prevalent rates for the three ADHD types, summarized by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual

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