link between over-diagnosis of ADHD and the proliferation of standardized testing

"ADHD is what clinicians call a “dimensional” disorder; all kids fall somewhere on a spectrum for inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. Only kids on an extreme end of the spectrum really fit the diagnosis. But pressure to perform at schools that are rigidly focused on test-taking may be causing kids lower on the spectrum to be swept into the diagnosis.

The trouble is that, taken separately, the symptoms associated with ADHD can be caused by other things. Distraction and impulsivity and acting out in class are often caused by undiagnosed anxiety, learning disorders or trauma and chaos at home — things that don’t respond to ADHD medication. Kids with these problems need and deserve treatment, too, but what’s most effective is often behavioral treatment and skill building that doesn’t involve medication. Teachers need better training in skills that have been shown to diminish disruptive behavior in their classrooms. Pediatricians need better training in diagnosing what’s causing problem behavior in kids, other than ADHD."

http://www.salon.com/2014/03/01/the_truth_about_adhd_over_diagnosis_linked_to_cause_championed_by_michelle_rhee/