Dave Davies

Some researchers think the notion that ADHD is a distinct, identifiable brain disorder may be wrong, or at least oversimplified, and that treatments other than medication should be considered. Paul Tuff is a contributing writer to the New York Times Magazine and the author of four books, most recently, The Inequality Machine, How College Divides Us. Paul Tuff, welcome to Fresh Air.

Some researchers think the notion that ADHD is a distinct, identifiable brain disorder may be wrong, or at least oversimplified, and that treatments other than medication should be considered. Paul Tuff is a contributing writer to the New York Times Magazine and the author of four books, most recently, The Inequality Machine, How College Divides Us. Paul Tuff, welcome to Fresh Air.

Some researchers think the notion that ADHD is a distinct, identifiable brain disorder may be wrong, or at least oversimplified, and that treatments other than medication should be considered. Paul Tuff is a contributing writer to the New York Times Magazine and the author of four books, most recently, The Inequality Machine, How College Divides Us. Paul Tuff, welcome to Fresh Air.

You write that in the early 90s, there were rising rates of ADHD diagnoses, about 2 million American kids in 1993, roughly two-thirds of them taking Ritalin. This provoked protests from some, particularly the Church of Scientology, you know, arguing that you're drugging our kids. You write that you didn't have to be a Scientologist to acknowledge there were legitimate questions about ADHD.

You write that in the early 90s, there were rising rates of ADHD diagnoses, about 2 million American kids in 1993, roughly two-thirds of them taking Ritalin. This provoked protests from some, particularly the Church of Scientology, you know, arguing that you're drugging our kids. You write that you didn't have to be a Scientologist to acknowledge there were legitimate questions about ADHD.

You write that in the early 90s, there were rising rates of ADHD diagnoses, about 2 million American kids in 1993, roughly two-thirds of them taking Ritalin. This provoked protests from some, particularly the Church of Scientology, you know, arguing that you're drugging our kids. You write that you didn't have to be a Scientologist to acknowledge there were legitimate questions about ADHD.

What were they?

What were they?

What were they?

So a massive study was organized by a number of researchers. Tell us how this was put together.

So a massive study was organized by a number of researchers. Tell us how this was put together.

So a massive study was organized by a number of researchers. Tell us how this was put together.

Right. Results were released in 1999. What did they show?

Right. Results were released in 1999. What did they show?

Right. Results were released in 1999. What did they show?

Over time, of course, more and more kids were diagnosed with ADHD. And you write about a guy named James Swanson who was at the University of California, Irvine, who, among others, grew uneasy about these trends in diagnosis and treatment. What was troubling them?

Over time, of course, more and more kids were diagnosed with ADHD. And you write about a guy named James Swanson who was at the University of California, Irvine, who, among others, grew uneasy about these trends in diagnosis and treatment. What was troubling them?

Over time, of course, more and more kids were diagnosed with ADHD. And you write about a guy named James Swanson who was at the University of California, Irvine, who, among others, grew uneasy about these trends in diagnosis and treatment. What was troubling them?

You write that Swanson is now 80 years old and is troubled by the way ADHD research and treatment is going. Is there a kind of fundamental theme to his concern?

You write that Swanson is now 80 years old and is troubled by the way ADHD research and treatment is going. Is there a kind of fundamental theme to his concern?