Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: The role of parents' associations

The growing influence of neurosciences and behaviour theories is involved in the transformation of the representations and care services for behaviour problems in childhood. Using such new orientations, the French associations of parents with hyperactive children fight for the recognition of the neurocognitive origin of their child's condition and against professionals' discourse which can make parents feel guilty. By helping families in their search for a diagnosis and promoting care treatments including the prescription of psycho-stimulating drugs, the association can be seen as a key element of a system where researches/practitioners, drug companies and activists mutually legitimate their actions.