I adopted my son from Russia. He is now 5 1/2. He was diagnosed with ADHD last summer. We have been testing different meds and found one to be working well since Jan. I am also a special education teacher - I teach middle school students.

Do you know of any research surrounding international adoptions (specifically Eastern Europe) and ADHD? I have done some research and found that most experts believe there is a genetic link.

Also, in my research I found that lack of prenatal care could be a factor linking to ADHD along with drug/alcohol exposure. I'm also wondering about institutionalization and if a lack of early stimulation and attention, and lack of good nutrition has anything to do with ADHD?

From: Comment on Medication, ADHD and Dyslexia - Part 4

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Discoveries in neuroscience are reinforcing a growing consensus that attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), as it is officially known, is not just a set of behavior problems but a biologically based disorder of brain function.

The symptoms of impulsiveness, inattentiveness, and hyperactivity arise, this research suggests, because misfiring of the brain’s executive function — its management system — make it difficult to stay still, concentrate, and exercise forethought and self-control.

From: Harvard Health Publications

The incidence of ADHD is indeed higher among adopted children than the general population.

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Although research has not identified a specific cause, ADHD seems to be related to both genetic and environmental factors. Approximately 40% of children with ADHD will have a parent with ADHD, generally the father.

Beyond genetic factors, research has found that environmental variables such as prenatal alcohol or drug exposure, prenatal maternal smoking, low birth weight, and lead poisoning can place a child at greater risk.

From: Psychologist: ADHD and Adopted Children

A major long-term study of girls diagnosed with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder in elementary school has found they are at greater risk for substance abuse, emotional problems and academic difficulties in adolescence than their peers who don't have the common neurobehavioral condition.

From: Girls With ADHD Have Higher Risk Of Troubles