Psychiatry Research EG

Background Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a public health concern affecting about 7% of the school-age population. Aim The present study aimed at screening for ADHD among kindergarten children as a part of early detection in school settings. Participants and methods A total of 153 children were assessed by their teachers (56.9% boys and 43.1% girls) and 133 (86.9%) children by their parents using the teacher/parent ADHD screening scales (kindergarten versions). Further assessments – both parent and teacher assessments – were carried out for positive cases (18 children) using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th ed. (DSM-IV) criteria for ADHD and the Stanford–Binet Intelligence Scale 4th ed. Results Twelve (10 boys and two girls) preschool children fulfilled the DSM-IV criteria for the diagnosis of ADHD (five KG I and seven KG II children); 2 cases were diagnosed with mild mental retardation and two cases belonged to borderline intelligence quotient (IQ) category. Overall, 6–10 ADHD cases were having more than two functional problems (reading, understanding, expressive language, mathematical abilities). Conclusion Overall, 7.8% of the children included in the present research were ADHD cases. An early diagnosis is a priority in kindergarten stage for better management and follow-up.