FOR years parents of hyperactive children have fought to have the condition taken seriously. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder affects up to seven per cent of school age children in the UK.
Yet the condition is notoriously difficult to diagnose and parents are often dismissed as whingers.
Now a 10-minute sight test could prove to be the long-awaited breakthrough.
Scientists from Brunel University, in west London, say the Pavlidis Test can pick out children likely to need special attention because of ADHD.
It involves children looking at a spot of light on a computer screen and following it with their eyes as it moves in different patterns.
Until now diagnosis of ADHD has been achieved through subjective questionnaires.
Researchers found children with ADHD had much more erratic eye movement than those without the condition.
Computerised tests correctly identified 93 per cent of children aged four to six as either ADHD or normal.
Professor George Pavlidis, who developed the test, said early diagnosis would allow children to have proper treatment, which would reduce learning, behavioural and painful secondary psychological problems for youngsters.
"This biological test proved to be objective, highly accurate and can be used at pre-school age," he said.
"The discovery is also important internationally as the test operates equally effectively regardless of language, race, culture and IQ."
Children are often treated with medication, such as Ritalin, to control their symptoms to help them lead a more normal life, but these drugs can have some side effects.
hat is ADHD?
CHILDREN with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder are overactive, impulsive and have difficulty paying attention.
They often find it difficult to fit in at school and may have problems interacting with other children.
Other symptoms include:
l Inability to stop talking or wait for others to speak
l Difficulty in social situations
l Physical clumsiness
l Disorganisation
l Severe mood swings
Problems are not just confined to childhood. If families do not seek help difficulties can continue as they grow up, affecting both people's social and working lives.
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