<p>The problem with the article’s premise is that high test scores alone are not enough to get anyone into Harvard, so “faking ADHD” to get more time on the tests in and of itself will not “get you into Harvard” or similarly selective school.</p>
<p>Nevertheless, the overdiagnosis of ADHD among affluent students is an old and ongoing story. My belief is that high-achieving professional parents sometimes cannot stomach the thought that their offspring might be intellectually average, so they push for an ADHD diagnosis to provide a rationale for the child’s relative underachievement that they can all accept. As a former public school teacher in a very affluent district, I saw this happen a lot. </p>
<p>I did laugh at this comment on the original article:</p>
<p>“The Ivy League is full of Psychos, Narcissists, and Social misfits. If you want normal students, go to your local Community college.” </p>
<p>Obviously unfair but given the tenor of recent press about Ivy League colleges, it’s not surprising to see this view expressed.</p>