ABSTRACT
The aetiology of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is not really known. The initial mapping of the discussion made by Vive concludes that it is seen as a biologically determined vulnerability influenced by the social context. Hyperactivity and motor unrest diminish with age and are replaced by mood swings, low frustration threshold, irritability and inner restlessness. The mapping of discourses made by the researchers left a picture of a rather diffuse professional expertise behind the public services. The interviewed professionals did not have a clear idea of the relevant expertise and how to get in touch with it. People with ADHD experienced the professional knowledge within the social services as inadequate in contrast to the psychiatric services which they found characterised by expertise, professionalism and recognition. The problems of the families typically started in a confrontation with the primary school when the teachers experienced that the child did not behave like other children.
