A New Face for A.D.H.D., and a Debate

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November 25, 2008

Well

A New Face for A.D.H.D., and a Debate

By TARA PARKER-POPE

When pediatricians diagnose attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, they often ask their patients whether they know anybody else with the problem.

These days, children are likely to reply with a household name: Phelps, the Olympic superstar, who is emerging as an inspirational role model among parents and children whose lives are affected by attention problems.

"There is a tremendous, tremendous amount of pride — I got the impression sometimes that some of the kids felt like they owned ," said Dr. Harold S. Koplewicz, director of the Child Study Center at New York University Langone Medical Center. "There is a special feeling when someone belongs to your club and the whole world is adoring him."

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/25/health/25well.html