ADHD was the most prevalent, affecting 11.2 per cent of children. Young boys were at most risk, with almost 20 per cent of those aged 6-12 affected.

The most prevalent problems reported by parents in their children were anxiety disorders and delinquent behaviour, including persistent lying, swearing, stealing and truancy. Adolescents themselves were much more likely to report depressive disorders and feelings of alienation, loneliness and worthlessness. Up to 12% of adolescents reported anti-social or under-controlled behaviour and one-fifth reported anxiety and depression. A staggering 12 per cent of adolescents had had thoughts about suicide in the previous twelve months; that figure rose to 42 per cent among teenagers with high-level problems.

It is likely that serious rates of mental illness exist in the populations of others of the world's more prosperous countries, which implies that world wide untold millions of children are severely affected. In such a crisis situation a carefully elaborated, scientifically argued hypothesis such as Hafer's, which offers both a causative explanation and an inexpensive, practical solution, and which is supported as effective by families which have tried it over a twenty year period, deserves very serious investigation by responsible professionals and government agencies.

Reference: "The Australian" Newspaper, November 30 2000, p 6