2. Parents
Doctors
Counselors
Teachers
Anyone working or dealing with children on
daily basis
Target Audience
3. I made this artifact in hopes to make aware the huge
difference in number of children diagnosed with ADHD in
American and in France
Why do we have so many more children with this condition?
Is there anything we can do?
Why?
4. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a chronic
condition that affects millions of children and often persists into
adulthood. ADHD includes a combination of problems
Definition of ADHD
5. Difficulty paying attention
Frequently daydreaming
Difficulty following through on instructions and apparently
not listening
Frequently has problems organizing tasks or activities
Frequently forgetful and loses needed items, such as books,
pencils or toys
Frequently fails to finish schoolwork, chores or other tasks
Easily distracted
Frequently fidgets or squirms
Difficulty remaining seated and seemly in constant motion
Excessively talkative
Frequently interrupts or intrudes on others' conversations or
games
Frequently has trouble waiting for his or her turn
Symptoms of ADHD
6. 9% of children in the United States have been
diagnosed with ADHD
Only 0.5% of children in France have been
diagnosed for the same
Let’s Look at the Numbers
7. US psychiatrists state that ADHD is a biological disorder that can
be treated with biological medications
There is no scientific evidence of this
French psychiatrists believe it to be a medical condition resulting
from situational causes
The French believe in treatment by finding the root of what could
be causing stress on the child, not medication
More of a social aspect than a brain aspect
The Main Difference
8. The definition of ADHD in France is much more narrow, resulting
in fewer diagnosis
The French have a classification known as CFTMEA
This focuses on finding the true root of the psychosocial problems
Rather than just giving medication
Counseling is number 1
American has a classification known as DSM
Most children are given medicines, such as Adderall, to treat the symptoms
of ADHD
Instead of figuring out what could be causing these things
When making the
diagnosis
9. DIET
Preservatives, artificial ingredients, chemicals all play
a role in our brain function
American food isn’t known for its “health” benefits
We are a pretty unhealthy country
French food is much more fresh and free of fake
ingredients
When a child is diagnosed with ADHD in France, the
diet is one of the first things to be examined
In America, the diet gets ignored with most children
Other Factors
10. Child Rearing
How a child is raised varies parent to parent
It also varies significantly from America to France
France: more strict and structured
American: more laid back and leisurely
The French emphasize self control in children early on,
which results in adolescents and young adults who know
how to control themselves
In the US, children are more free to do as they please and
act out how they want, resulting in uncontrolled
behavior
Other Factors
11. TV
Any shows geared toward children under the age
of 3 are banned in France
Not so much in the United States
TV has been shown to cause attention and
concentration problems
Studies are shown that watching TV at a young
age can slow development
America has numerous shows aimed at children of
three years and younger
This isn’t saying that French children don’t watch TV, it is just
not supported and encouraged as much as it is in America
Other factors
12. France –find and treat the root of the social
causes for the ADHD
America – treat the symptoms and cover them
up enough to be dealt with
**If we can find the stresses and causes, then maybe so many cases in
America can be avoided and our numbers won’t be so high
To Sum it up…
13. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. (2013, March 5). Retrieved
June 10, 2015, from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-
conditions/adhd/basics/definition/CON-20023647
Garbarino, C. (2013, May 20). Why American Kids Have ADHD and French Kids Don’t.
Retrieved June 10, 2015, from
http://www.firstthings.com/blogs/firstthoughts/2013/05/why-american-kids-have-
adhd-and-french-kids-dont/
Jannelli, V. (2014, October 30). Why french kids don't have ADHD? - actually, they do.
Retrieved June 10, 2015, from http://pediatrics.about.com/b/2012/03/12/why-french-
kids-dont-have-adhd-actually-they-do.htm
Wedge, M. (2012, March 8). Why french kids don't have ADHD. Retrieved June 10, 2015,
from https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/suffer-the-children/201203/why-french-
kids-dont-have-adhd
Wedge, M. (2012, September 22). Why french kids don't have ADHD-Part 2. Retrieved
June 10, 2015, from https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/suffer-the-
children/201209/why-french-kids-don-t-have-adhd-part-2
References
