Why the ADHD Surge and Punishment of Black Students Could Be Linked 

Black kids are misdiagnosed and over-policed, making it easy to make excuses about why we can’t teach them and why they can’t be successful. What some teachers see as disruptive behavior in Black children closely tracks broader symptoms of attention-deficit disorder& When a new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report last week revealed that 1 in 9 children in the U.S. are diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, experts said the data reflects a surge in cases since 2016 — and a growing understanding of how the disorder affects children, including struggles with attention, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness.& & RELATED:& Black& Students With Disabilities Deserve& Qualified Teachers& The rise in ADHD diagnoses, however, comes at a time when several studies show Black children are substantially more likely to face punishment in school than white children for vaguely defined disruptions — defiance, disruption, and insubordination — that could mirror ADHD symptoms. Coupled with the fact that Black children are less likely to receive treatment for the disorder than white children, it’s easy to see how school suspensions and ADHD overlap. That nexus could shine new light on the disproportionately high disciplining of Black children in public schools as well as the...