Diagnosing maturity

It used to be that marshmallows—yes, marshmallows—were one of the biggest methods used to predict maturity in early childhood.

It used to be that marshmallows—yes, marshmallows—were one of the biggest methods used to predict maturity in early childhood. Recently, a new development has created a technique that will rival the marshmallow for the best predictor of maturity in children.

The marshmallow test was one of the best available in predicting maturity and was developed by Stanford University professor Walter Mischel. He would put one marshmallow in front of four-year-old children and tell them that they could eat the treat when he left, or, if they waited 15 minutes, he would give them two marshmallows. The experiment took place throughout the 1960s, and two out of three children ate the marshmallow before Mischel returned to the room.

When he revisited the children 14 years later, he found that the ones who had shown the most self-control had significantly higher SAT scores.

A new study published on Sept. 13 by Oregon Health & Science University and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis has demonstrated a more accurate and scientific way of assessing maturity in early childhood.

According to www.ohsu.edu, MRI technology and mathematical analysis allow researchers to accurately predict a young person’s age by studying brain scans. It is the hope of researchers that with this technology, in the future, these analyses will help in diagnosing disorders such Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder.

Using computers to analyze brain scans of children, a brain scan maturation curve developed by researchers creates an opportunity to help predict developmental diagnoses.

Disorders such as ADHD and autism are hard to diagnose and with this kind of technology, it is very promising that these disorders, and others like them, will be more accurately diagnosed in the future—at least, that is the hope.

ADHD and autism spectrum disorders are currently frequently diagnosed; in fact, they are overly diagnosed today.

Most diagnoses of ADHD or autism are based on reports by the parents, which are completely subjective and not scientifically based. This research is an important new development in the world because it can lead to a more scientifically-based approach to diagnosing ADHD or autism.

Parents seem to jump to the far end of the scale if there is something “off” about their child. For example, if their child cannot sit still and pay attention in school, then they assume it is ADHD and will actively seek out someone to diagnose their kid with that particular disorder. They press the issue of their kid having ADHD even though they can sit in front of video games or a television for an entire day.

Just because someone cannot sit down and only focus on homework for three hours does not mean they have Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD or ADHD), it generally means they are a procrastinator like most people.

If someone has a short attention span, it does not necessarily mean that they have ADD or ADHD. And because someone cannot sit still and solidly pay attention in a four-hour lecture class does not mean they have ADHD or ADD; most of us cannot sit still that long.

This kind of research is helpful in aiding and accurately diagnosing ADHD and autism so that the people who have it, or will have it can get the help that they need. It will also prevent overly diagnosing ADHD or autism spectrum disorder.

While this kind of research is clearly a big deal in the world of psychology, it is something that should make everyone stand up to take notice, because odds are most people know someone who has been diagnosed with something such as autism, Aspergers or ADHD.

An accurate diagnosis early on in life of ADHD or autism is huge. Technology and new developments that can get us to that point is so important. It can get people the assistance they need and will help prevent too many diagnoses of ADHD or autism.