Are Māori Kids More Likely to Be Diagnosed ADHD in NZ? 

In New Zealand, there is growing concern around ADHD in Māori children in NZ, particularly when it comes to issues like overdiagnosis and the impact of cultural bias in the healthcare system. While ADHD is becoming more widely recognised and diagnosed in New Zealand, there are concerns that Māori children may be disproportionately diagnosed, potentially due to systemic biases or misunderstandings of cultural behaviours. These issues can contribute to health disparities and raise important questions about how ADHD is assessed and treated in different communities. 

Overdiagnosis and ADHD in Māori Children 

Some studies suggest that Māori children in New Zealand may be more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than their non-Māori peers. This could be due to several factors, including the overdiagnosis of ADHD in children (1*) who may simply display behaviours that don’t align with the mainstream educational system. Children who are more active, expressive, or non-compliant with traditional classroom norms may be more likely to be labelled with ADHD, especially if their cultural backgrounds are not fully understood. This trend raises concerns about the possibility of overdiagnosis, where children are prescribed medication or interventions that may not be appropriate or necessary. 

Cultural Bias in ADHD Diagnosis 

Cultural bias plays a significant role in how ADHD is diagnosed and treated in Māori children. Many Māori children may exhibit behaviours that are misunderstood by teachers and healthcare professionals due to differences in cultural expression. For example, in Māori culture, children may be more vocal or physically expressive, which may be perceived as disruptive in a traditional, Western-style classroom. This can lead to the cultural bias in the ADHD diagnostic process, where cultural differences in behaviour are incorrectly attributed to ADHD rather than understood as part of a different cultural upbringing. 

Health Disparities and ADHD in Māori Children 

The health disparities that Māori face in New Zealand are well-documented, and these disparities extend to the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD. Māori children often experience poorer health outcomes and greater difficulty accessing healthcare services. The lack of culturally competent care, combined with cultural bias, may result in Māori children being diagnosed more frequently than necessary, or, conversely, being misdiagnosed or underdiagnosed in some cases. Addressing these health disparities requires a more nuanced understanding of ADHD that considers cultural differences and biases in the diagnostic process. 

Key Factors in ADHD in Māori Children in NZ 

Overdiagnosis 

There is concern that Māori children may be more likely to be overdiagnosed with ADHD due to cultural misunderstandings and bias in the diagnostic process. 

Cultural Bias 

Cultural bias plays a significant role in how behaviours are perceived and can lead to misdiagnosis or overdiagnosis of ADHD in Māori children. 

Health Disparities 

Health disparities in New Zealand impact Māori communities and affect their access to appropriate care, diagnosis, and treatment for ADHD. 

For personal consultations on ADHD, visit providers like ADHD Certify (2*). For a deeper dive into the science, diagnosis, and full treatment landscape, read our complete guide to ADHD in different cultural contexts. (3*)