ADHD---is this on the rise...my theory

[Ottakee]

I have wondered about this before and have this "theory" about the rise in increase in ADHD.

 

2 things come to mind.

1. Years ago most kids had their tonsils out by early school age.

2. Years ago most kids took cod liver oil each morning.

 

Now, this is certainly NOT the entire story behind ADHD BUT for some kids, overly large tonsils/adenoids can lead to sleep problems which then leads to ADHD like behavior. Our ENT said that he sees a lot of this and has had many kids "cured" of ADHD once their tonsils/adenoids were removed.

 

ONE effective treatment for ADHD is supplementing Omega 3 essential fatty acids--fish oils. This is what kids got a dose of daily years ago.

 

Now, I don't think this is the entire reason behind the increase in ADHD. I think that environment--diet, lack of LOTS of exercise/free time outside, increase in electronic/screen time, drug//alcohol exposure before birth, genetics, etc. all play a role as well.

 

Anyone else have any thoughts?

[dkt320]

Well, I have known that my oldest DS was ADD since he was about 18 months old, I just waited til he was 7 to get him tested. He has been on medication since September and is doing so much better. I see a world of difference in him. I think kids are either born that way or not, but that is just my opinion.

[buddhabelly]

For example, couldn't you just as easily say that the rise in ADHD is due to fluoride in the public water supply? Events that happen at approximately the same time are not necessarily cause-and-effect. For example, "More people have pollen allergies in 2008 than ever before. People spend more time on computers than ever before. Therefore, pollen allergies are exacerbated by the light emanating from computer monitors."

 

My opinion, for what it's worth, is that ADD & ADHD is largely due to preservatives and artificial colors/flavorings in children's food. That is just because I observe the worst behavior in the children that eat stuff like Cheetos and bright blue yogurt made of chemicals instead of milk. And the children that eat real food seem calmer and more able to control themselves.

 

But mine is no more scientific than yours.....what does everyone else think?

 

Julie

[buddhabelly]

Well, I have known that my oldest DS was ADD since he was about 18 months old, I just waited til he was 7 to get him tested. He has been on medication since September and is doing so much better. I see a world of difference in him. I think kids are either born that way or not, but that is just my opinion.

 

I hope my earlier post didn't offend. See, it's obviously a flawed theory! I am curious, though: did you explore any other options with your son? I don't really know what "other options" are, but for example did you change anything in his diet or did you notice that certain foods made his behavior worse? I am sincerely curious and again, I apologize if my post was rude.

 

:leaving:

 

 

 

 

julie

[dkt320]

I didn't take offense at all, not to worry. I really haven't been concerned with changing his diet, he only drinks water, no milk, juice or cokes. That is his choice by the way, he won't drink anything but water. Makes for really interesting children's parties, I am usually the mom running around with a cup and searching for a water fountain. And he has never been a big eater, junk or otherwise, so at least here, the food thing wasn't something I could tie it to. We held off on medication, decided to homeschool first, but after a few months of that, we felt that we were not doing him any good by not putting him on medication, kind of like if we had a child who was diabetic, would we deny that child insulin?

[Copswife]

When my 2nd born son was at a local Christian school many years ago, they wanted him tested for ADHD. Actually, they suggested we just put him on meds. He didn't fit into their perfect mold.

 

Anyway, He had his tonsils and adenoids removed about a year later. What a difference!

 

This boy went from being quite a handful, always into everything to a calmer, more focused child. Well, he wasn't getting restful sleep! Truly, snoring terribly, talking in his sleep and sleep walking.

 

It made a world of difference to our son, who is now 13 1/2 and is 6 ft. 1 inch tall! He's still quite the comedian, but is mostly definitely NOT ADHD.

 

Tracie

 

I have wondered about this before and have this "theory" about the rise in increase in ADHD.

 

2 things come to mind.

1. Years ago most kids had their tonsils out by early school age.

2. Years ago most kids took cod liver oil each morning.

 

Now, this is certainly NOT the entire story behind ADHD BUT for some kids, overly large tonsils/adenoids can lead to sleep problems which then leads to ADHD like behavior. Our ENT said that he sees a lot of this and has had many kids "cured" of ADHD once their tonsils/adenoids were removed.

 

ONE effective treatment for ADHD is supplementing Omega 3 essential fatty acids--fish oils. This is what kids got a dose of daily years ago.

 

Now, I don't think this is the entire reason behind the increase in ADHD. I think that environment--diet, lack of LOTS of exercise/free time outside, increase in electronic/screen time, drug//alcohol exposure before birth, genetics, etc. all play a role as well.

 

Anyone else have any thoughts?

[fishnoises]

I think the supposed rise of ADHD and ADD is that the teachers , under the pressure of having to teach so much material (for testing) in such a short period of time, need to keep the kids under control. I think kids are acting the way they have always acted. I also think that children are spending less time with their parents (divorce, daycare and preschool) so that they are not getting the attention and discipline they need. I do agree that sugar has a lot to do with hyperactivity, but again that may be due to quick, on the go breakfasts (or no breakfast!).

I think it is is much easier for adults (parents and teachers and doctors) to say that a there is something wrong with the child, rather than say there is something wrong with our society. It is much easier to dispense a pill, than do the work.

Again, I do agree that there are kids who do have true difficulties due to various causes. And I am sure most of the causes are nutrition related. (And possibly fluoride and immunizations...)

[Copswife]

Anyone else have any thoughts?

 

Here is one of my theories: TV and/or video games

 

The brain is rewired and expects instant results and constant stimulation.

 

Add up the hours of playing video games over the course of several years and voila! Add to that total, the total hours of television watching and presto!

 

Sitting still and quiet in a boring classroom listening to a story doesn't cut it.

 

My theory for what its worth. :tongue_smilie:

[dkt320]

Well, for our son, it isn't the "boring" activities, it is the fact that he gets distracted very easily. Where other children can block out distractions, he hears, along with the story, every sound in the room, people coming in and out, coughing, sneezing, the air conditioner cutting on, someone next to him playing with their velcro shoes, etc. It would be like if you went to a restaurant, and while trying to pay attention to your DH/DW or whoever, you also heard everything else going on and couldn't focus on that other person.

[Mrs Mungo]

That is just because I observe the worst behavior in the children that eat stuff like Cheetos and bright blue yogurt made of chemicals instead of milk. And the children that eat real food seem calmer and more able to control themselves.

 

 

I have 3 kids and only 1 exhibits ADHD tendencies. They all eat the same things. I don't feed them junk. I am one of the few people I know IRL who actually cooks 3 meals almost every, single day. I *will* say that I have seen her crash and burn when given junk like you describe at functions and things. My kids get protein for breakfast, they don't watch tons of TV. My ADHD child watches less TV/plays fewer video games than her siblings. None of these would cause the brain to develop a different chemistry. I took cod liver oil ever day growing up (mint flavored :ack2:) and I give the capsules to my kids now. But still...coedine makes me *hyper*. Caffeine calms me down. Those are chemical differences in how my body works. Too much TV doesn't cause that.

 

So, I agree that some of these things may exacerbate the problem but I don't know that I think they *cause* the problems.

 

I don't think people who haven't experienced it for themselves really understand ADHD and what it means. It is not just hyperactivity (I was never really hyper as a child), it's not just inattentiveness. A *large* part of the problem is impulse control. I have trouble controlling some impulses even *now*, as an adult. And they are stupid things like knocking over a glass, reaching for it, knowing I'm going to knock it over and not being able to control that action. People who are ADHD are also the first to notice when someone gets a haircut or new shoes. They are honed into details of things and not the big picture. They are very good at picking up on people's emotions because they are good at details but they aren't necessarily good at picking up *why* someone is upset.

 

This whole discussion is why I have a problem with ADHD being used to stamp anyone with a behavior problem or it being called a deficiency in the first place. It's a *difference* in how the brain works.

 

eta: A good friend of mine started taking ritalin for the first time as an adult because she couldn't cope after her fourth child was born. She said the difference in the clarity of her thinking was as much as it was the first time she put on a pair of glasses for her eyesight.

[Michelle T]

DH had his tonsils and adenoids out as a kid, but he's still quite ADD at 42. DS is also ADHD, and has various LD's and processing issues.

 

I think there are various reasons, not just one. Partly over-diagnosis, partly lifestyle issues, partly more CORRECT diagnosis, and most likely other things we just don't know about yet.

Michelle T

[dkt320]

Yep, my son's brain is just wired different I guess. He is exactly like that, will notice details that nobody else does.

[Stacy in NJ]

diagnosis of ADHD.:001_smile: A great economist said something like...if you want more of something, subsidize it. There are tens of thousands of professionals and para-professionals whose livelyhood depends on children being diagnosed, not to mention pharma companies and natural remedy dealers. It's like that movie Field of Dreams. If you build it they will come. 100 years ago there was no diagnosis "ADHD".

 

This is not to say there aren't real children who struggle with real issues. I read in a British paper recently that there is new evidence that the standard ADHD meds diminish in their ability to help symptoms significantly over time.

[Mrs Mungo]

diagnosis of ADHD.:001_smile: A great economist said something like...if you want more of something, subsidize it. There are tens of thousands of professionals and para-professionals whose livelyhood depends on children being diagnosed, not to mention pharma companies and natural remedy dealers. It's like that movie Field of Dreams. If you build it they will come. 100 years ago there was no diagnosis "ADHD".

 

This is not to say there aren't real children who struggle with real issues. I read in a British paper recently that there is new evidence that the standard ADHD meds diminish in their ability to help symptoms significantly over time.

 

But I don't think it's just that. Neither I nor my daughter have ever been on meds. I think it's important to learn coping skills on your own and if she chooses that for the future, fine, but I'm not going that route at her age.

 

I also think a LARGE difference is that never before was every child expected to sit in a classroom for 12-16 *years*. Many of our most brilliant minds drop out of school early because it *is* boring. That is more difficult to do in today's world.

[Stacy in NJ]

I think children today have less freedom, actual physical freedom, then in many prior generations. My youngest (ds9) is diagnosed ADHD with TS (tourettes syndrome). Meds tend to intensify the TS, so they aren't even an option for us.

 

I'm not ADHD or gifted or brilliant or anything, but I found school incredibly tedious.

[lynn]

My theory. Mercury in vaccinations, sealants. Why it affects some children and not other I am not sure.

[lynn]

For example, couldn't you just as easily say that the rise in ADHD is due to fluoride in the public water supply? Events that happen at approximately the same time are not necessarily cause-and-effect. For example, "More people have pollen allergies in 2008 than ever before. People spend more time on computers than ever before. Therefore, pollen allergies are exacerbated by the light emanating from computer monitors."

 

My opinion, for what it's worth, is that ADD & ADHD is largely due to preservatives and artificial colors/flavorings in children's food. That is just because I observe the worst behavior in the children that eat stuff like Cheetos and bright blue yogurt made of chemicals instead of milk. And the children that eat real food seem calmer and more able to control themselves.

 

But mine is no more scientific than yours.....what does everyone else think?

 

Julie

 

I think most children who do not have ADD will respond to preservatives and dyes as well as sugar and be more hyper or negative attitude due to hyperglycemic or is that hypoglycemic issues yet to be detected. I have an ADD son who does hype up more, a non add son who becomes negative and nasty and a non add son who can eat it all and not change at all. I wish there were a simple answer and simple solution.

 

We tried everything with my oldest son and yes monitoring his diet helps some in that he won't be anymore hyper and spontaneous than he already is.

[buddhabelly]

My theory. Mercury in vaccinations, sealants. Why it affects some children and not other I am not sure.

 

She says the reason it affects some children and not others is because some are sensitive to it and some are not. My child tested sensitive to it. He does not have ADHD, but he has certain obsessive/compulsive tendencies that she says are nervous system deficiencies/challenges traceable to vaccines.

 

I really want to have all the mercury taken out of my mouth (fillings), but it sounds difficult. Not to mention expensive!

 

julie

[Natalieclare]

My favorite whacko theory is that is plastics clog up the little synapses in the brain, smothering those little neurons with synthetic chemicals. :D I've never actually heard this proposed as a theory, but I hate plastic, so it sounds good to me.

 

Seriously though, I wish I knew why adhd is on the rise; I wish I didn't have such a vested interest in that knowledge. But I do. Adhd hits our family from 2 angles: my son has it; my husband diagnoses it. The adhd odyssey is a journey we would rather not have taken; in fact, we tried everything we'd ever heard of to push it away for 11 years. No tv in the house for 9 years, no electronic games, no dye, 3 meals a day from scratch, firmness and structure coupled with large quantities of time to run around on 4 acres, gluten free/casein free diet, no sugar, no hfcs, short lessons while doing jumping jacks, short lessons on an exercise ball, short oral lessons, pretending adhd doesn't exist, excessive maternal guilt for not doing or being ____ enough (many many adjectives have filled this blank), giving him more freedom, giving him less freedom, filling his stomach every 2 hours -- I have gone almost mad at times as I've contorted myself into knots trying to avoid this thing.

 

Before my son was born, I thought adhd was mostly about parenting, erroneous expectations, and unwise activities and we have certainly seen how mishandling those things can contribute to difficulties. However, I know now from first hand experience that adhd can exist when all those pet causes are eliminated. Oh, the self-flagellation I inflicted when I was so sure that *I* was the cause of my son's adhd! And it would be so much simpler if it was indeed within my control!

 

Thanks again, Mrs. Mungo, for your very sane response. I tried to give you some rep, but I have to spread it around first. So, if anyone has some to spare, throw her some for me, wouldja?

[CLHCO]

My daughter was very inattentive ADD and I almost had her tested but chickened out. She wasn't learning well at all and tried various diet changes. Nothing made a difference except one thing - essential fatty acids. She seemed to have a terminally stuffed up head. Evening Primrose has been shown to be somewhat anti-inflammatory for some with asthma and other allergic inflammation, and I know it works on my eczema, so when I added that and fish oils, her inflamed nasal passages started to clear up and she slept better.

 

So, in a way, the first two theories would be my favorite because it included healthy oils along with sleeping better by breathing better, like the kids with tonsils removed.

 

However, my son is a nut-case, er, uh, has ADHD tendencies, I mean. Most people look at me in shock on how I survived his 6th year of life, or how he survived. I'm not sure which. Three things helped him. #1 Dumping all chemical fumes from the home, especially from the laundry room which is right across from his bedroom. I use only natural things now. I read that for sensitive people, the fragrance in some thing, particularly fabric softener, can lead to behaviors that can mimic mental illness. It was a startling turn-around in just one week. #2 Keeping HFCS to a minimum. #3 Good old fashioned maturity. He's getting better just by getting older.

 

Too much TV is bad. Too much junk food is bad. Too strict of expectations on wiggly little boys is bad. Too much over-diagnosis is bad.

 

See, I'm accommodating. I think it's a mixed back of mess we've got here with a little bit of "just born that way" thrown in.

[Peela]

I don't actually think it is an actual thing...its a bunch of symptoms that have been given a label, ADHD. Like many psychiatric conditions, its not an actual disease, there is no blood test for it. It's a bunch of symptoms we give a name. Or, people with university degrees have given a name.

And yes, the bunch of symptoms called ADHD appears to be increasing, but our society has really deteriorated on so many levels.....diet, nutrition, environmental toxins, vaccinations, the way parents parent, the state of discipline in schools, expectations on teachers....I don't think there is any pat answer at all.

The city I live in in Australia has the highest diagnosis rate of ADHD in the whole world.

I am a bit cynical about it I must admit. I have a step dd, now 19, whose mother drugged her against her fathers wishes, all through her teens, and it didnt help at all, she completely flunked highschool...it just made the mother feel like she was doing something.

OK, disclaimer, there are many people who feel the drugs help their kids...I am dubious about 90% of them. I have been told by several learning difficulty specialists in the last few months that the number of true ADHD kids they see is very small- although real- most are kids who have learning difficulties and simply don't get the attention they need.

Anyway, I am not expert, thankk goodness (they've dont enough damage already), just an observer, although I have had several many ADHD kid clients as a naturopath, and I always felt the issue needed to be dealt with on so many different levels...and many parents don't have time. Which could be part of the issue in the first place. Plus the fact that many adults try to talk to their small children instead of using clear action to deal with discipline issues.

I don't mean to upset anybody, I am sure there are parents of kids diagnosed with ADHD on these boards....and most of them will be educating themselves, homeschooling, and doing everything they darn well can to deal with the issues.

The other aspect of it is, my dh would have been diagnosed ADHD if it has been around in his day.....and he is quite brilliant in many ways. Thats why he didnt want his daughter drugged....too many kids who are unique and think outside the box, and are bored by school, get the diagnosis, take the drugs.

I am sure I am mostly preaching to the converted, but its an awful issue. I believe we will look back on these decades of drugging our children with horror.

[Ottakee]

I didn't expect so many responses so quickly.

 

I just threw that out for "discussion sake" last night. I do think, like one poster mentioned, that the fish oils (really help my dh) and the tonsil thing (like her son) do make a difference for some kids. Is it the cause for ADD, NO.

 

Just a disclaimer here now, as some of you don't know my kids, etc. I have 3 adopted kiddos with special needs. 20ds is VERY ADD (inattentive) but can't take meds---sure wish he could but he has a negative reaction to them.

 

My 12dd is on meds for ADHD, bipolar and her mitochondrial disorders which might be the cause of the first 2. She is not hyper (except when manic) but has the inattention.

 

My 11dd is VERY ADHD and has the same mitchondrial disorder as her sister. She NEEDS her Dexedrine to get her school work done. If she misses it, we struggle all morning---and these are days when I think she HAS taken it.

 

We did try the gluten/dairy free diet, diet free of colors/preservatives/sugar, lots of environmental things, they all have tonsils and adenoids out, are on the fish oils, etc. For them though, meds are extremely helpful.

 

I do agree though with the poster that said that lack of proper diagnosis might be part of the problem. Often now it is a 15 minute appointment with your primary care doctor and out the door you go with a prescription for an ADHD med. They fail to check things like blood sugars, anemia, allergies, thyroid, sleep stuff, etc. They also might miss other mental health issues, things like seizures, learning disabilities, etc. and on and on. I am a strong supporter of a FULL eval--medical and by a psychiatrist and then using meds if indicated.

[Elisabeth in IL]

Well my ds10, ADD per the health care profession, had his tonsils and adnoids removed by age 3 and I give him fish oil. The fish oil may or may not help, the jury (mom) can't decide. I have an appointment in April with a pediatric neurologist so that we can try medicine.

[lynn]

I don't actually think it is an actual thing...its a bunch of symptoms that have been given a label, ADHD. Like many psychiatric conditions, its not an actual disease, there is no blood test for it. It's a bunch of symptoms we give a name. Or, people with university degrees have given a name.

And yes, the bunch of symptoms called ADHD appears to be increasing, but our society has really deteriorated on so many levels.....diet, nutrition, environmental toxins, vaccinations, the way parents parent, the state of discipline in schools, expectations on teachers....I don't think there is any pat answer at all.

The city I live in in Australia has the highest diagnosis rate of ADHD in the whole world.

I am a bit cynical about it I must admit. I have a step dd, now 19, whose mother drugged her against her fathers wishes, all through her teens, and it didnt help at all, she completely flunked highschool...it just made the mother feel like she was doing something.

OK, disclaimer, there are many people who feel the drugs help their kids...I am dubious about 90% of them. I have been told by several learning difficulty specialists in the last few months that the number of true ADHD kids they see is very small- although real- most are kids who have learning difficulties and simply don't get the attention they need.

Anyway, I am not expert, thankk goodness (they've dont enough damage already), just an observer, although I have had several many ADHD kid clients as a naturopath, and I always felt the issue needed to be dealt with on so many different levels...and many parents don't have time. Which could be part of the issue in the first place. Plus the fact that many adults try to talk to their small children instead of using clear action to deal with discipline issues.

I don't mean to upset anybody, I am sure there are parents of kids diagnosed with ADHD on these boards....and most of them will be educating themselves, homeschooling, and doing everything they darn well can to deal with the issues.

The other aspect of it is, my dh would have been diagnosed ADHD if it has been around in his day.....and he is quite brilliant in many ways. Thats why he didnt want his daughter drugged....too many kids who are unique and think outside the box, and are bored by school, get the diagnosis, take the drugs.

I am sure I am mostly preaching to the converted, but its an awful issue. I believe we will look back on these decades of drugging our children with horror.

 

In what way do you feel it's a parenting issue? I have heard this before and if that were the case wouldn't all kids in the home have "Adhd"?

[Joanne]

I think there is a *slight* increase; multi-caused to due a combination of toxic earth/living/setting/culture and predisposed children.

 

I think there is a HUGE over diagnosis of it.

 

I taught in my homeschool a child who was orgnanically unable to focus enough for formal learning. He is adopted; bio mom did drugs, etc while pregnant.

 

I have another in my afterschool care care who is fine except his personality/energy level and giftedness don't fit into the current system in public school so he's medicated.

[Danestress]

To me this is akin saying that Alzheimer's Disease isn't a real disease because we diagnose based on behavior and there is no blood test. In the past, we couldn't know for sure, apart from the history of the symptoms, whether someone had AD until they were dead. Now we can do brain scans, but they are expensive and not widely available.

 

My ADD specialist says that in my lifetime, there will be scanning ability in doctor's offices that will assist in diagnoisis of ADD too. She says that when we can see the neurotransmitter activity in the brain, we can see the differences between people with ADD and without. It is my understanding that there is actually a phyisiological difference between people who have ADD/ADHD and those who don't (and differences between the different types of ADD too). I'm no expert, but from what I have read, that's widely accepted in the medical community.

 

Whether to medicate is an entirely different question, though. Just having the characteristic problems associated with ADD does not necessarily mean that the person should be medicated. Part of that decision is based on how badly the ADD affects the patient's life. And how they respond to the medications, which are far from perfect.

[elizam]

Well, I have one who is ADHD and my others might very well have it, too, but I'm not ready to "go there" right now.

 

That said, not being willing to "go there" with my oldest when he was younger has caused our family (and HIM) to have a lot of unnecessary grief. He spent two miserable years in PS (K and 1st) and then we homeschooled for the next 5 yrs. Those HS years we had many a day of "why won't he listen, do his work, act right, etc." and my dh blamed most of it on me or on HSing in general.

 

Ds went back to PS for 7th and did terrible. 8th was even worse. I had devoured every "ADHD is a myth" book and article I could find since he was a little kid. I read homeschooling message boards and listenened to homeschool group moms whisper about the "bad" kids that had the audacity to try and join the homeschooling group. Those families usually gave up on the groups and even on homeschooling in no time. They had absolutely no support. I myself felt like I was drowing. My kid with poor social skills was ostracized and sometimes I was too. But he was one of the "better" weird homeschooled kids, so we kept on keeping on. Middle school is a terrible time to begin PS again. He was ostracized there, too. He thought he was stupid.

 

Finally, things came to a head and his NICEST teacher said to me very lovingly, "He is smart and he is good....he just has what seems to be a big problem with attention" (they aren't allowed to call it ADHD, just to suggest you might need to check things out)

 

He is in high school now and is doing very poorly both academically and socially. He eats healthy food and gets exercise. He always has! We aren't on some strict diet. He does like his Cheeots and cola! But he also has plenty of water, veggies, etc. He takes a multivitamin and fish oil.

 

He still is VERY ADHD.

 

Those books, articles and ADHD naysayers didn't help us. They hurt us. THey caused me to avoid getting help for him when he was young. Now I have a semirebellious depressed young man who is in denial that there is anything wrong. I have tried to explain it as a "difference" rather than a disorder. problem is, no one else sees it that way. Dad sees it as "bad kid"; teachers see it as "lazy" or an "excuse"....only a FEW realize it is a brain wiring issue. He is doing best in the class where the teacher realizes this.

 

Maybe ADHD is overdiagnosed. I don't know.But I know that my ds has it and I wish I had woken up and realized it years ago.

[elizam]

Silencing Skeptics: The Truth About ADHD

by Deborah Carpenter

 

The debate about attention deficit disorder (ADD ADHD) is over. O-V-E-R. Just about every mainstream medical, psychological, and educational organization in the U.S. long ago concluded that ADD is real, and that children and adults with attention deficit disorder benefit from appropriate treatment. Yet, somehow, the world still seems to be filled with self-appointed ADD "experts" - some well-meaning, some sanctimonious - who insist on burdening us with their ill-informed opinions and asking repeatedly, "What is ADD?"

 

We've all heard the comments: "ADD is bunk!" "Can't people take responsibility for their own actions anymore?" "All that so-called ADD kids really need is discipline!" "Drug companies invented ADD so they could sell stimulants." Blah, blah, blah.

 

We expect to hear such nonsense from misinformed movie stars ranting on talk shows. But what about the know-it-all who happens to be a friend? Your child's teacher? A co-worker - or your boss? What about a member of your own family?

 

Let's be honest: Words hurt. Holier-than-thou barbs, fault-finding, and finger-pointing can make you resentful and just plain furious. "Discussing ADD can be as touchy as talking about politics or religion," says Susan Ashley, Ph.D., author of The ADD and ADHD Answer Book. "Feelings get hurt, defenses go up, and relationships suffer when there are disagreements about it." In extreme situations, families disintegrate, and kids and grownups who need help don't get it.

 

Should you bite your tongue and walk away? Make a sharp retort? Make an effort to educate the ignoramus? A jab to the nose might make you feel better, but it probably isn't the best solution.

 

Here are the five varieties of ADD naysayers out there, and the right ways to respond to each.

 

The Skeptic

The Skeptic denies the very existence of ADD, calling it a phantom that was cooked up as an excuse for bad parenting. He maintains that ADD would go away if parents simply reined in their brats and stopped letting them run amok. What about the adults who say they have ADD? "Why," says The Skeptic, "they just need to grow up and take responsibility for their shortcomings, rather than blaming an illness."

 

No one questions the existence of diabetes, heart disease, or migraine headaches, says Philip Levin, Ph.D., director of The Help Group/UCLA Neuropsychology Program. Yet, he says, people who don't know better question the existence of ADD - despite a body of research indicating that it is a neurobiological disorder that affects 5 to 10 percent of children and 3 to 6 percent of all adults.

 

Given a wealth of evidence, the National Institute of Mental Health has concluded that ADD is a real medical condition. So has the American Psychological Association, which includes ADD in its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the bible of mental-health professionals. And the U.S. Department of Education requires educational institutions to provide special accommodations to kids with ADD - it's the law.

 

When Suzanne Herman, of Tyler, Texas, encounters Skeptics, she tells them the reason they don't "believe in" ADD is that they've probably been lucky enough never to have experienced it, either in themselves or in a loved one. "If my ADD son could exert the control necessary to conform, he would," Herman says. "No child would choose to be isolated and punished constantly."

 

Indeed. "Unless ADD hits close to home, one may never totally understand it," says Luanne Southern, the senior director of prevention and children's mental health at the National Mental Health Association in Alexandria, Virginia.

 

Shantella Benson, whose 10-year-old daughter has ADD, takes another approach with The Skeptic: She simply steers the conversation to a more benign topic. "Changing the subject saves me from having to get into a heated conversation in front of my daughter," the Torrance, California, resident says. "I've been trying to help her learn to control her emotions. It wouldn't help to see me blow my stack."

 

Hard facts are often the best ammunition to use against The Skeptic. "Direct the skeptic to CHADD, order him a subscription to ADDitude or give him copies of relevant articles, and take him to a support group meeting," Southern says. If that doesn't convince him that ADD is real, it's likely that nothing will.

 

When Elisabeth Carnell of Kalamazoo, Michigan, comes across people who pooh-pooh her nine-year-old daughter's ADD, she gives them information about the condition and shares her experiences with it. If these strategies fail, she calls the errant comments what they are: "bull#!^@."

 

If you prefer sarcasm to scatology, try, "Gosh, it must be nice to be smarter than thousands of doctors, scientists, and psychologists."

 

The Crusader

The Crusader takes a holier-than-thou approach, second-guessing adults who take ADD medications and parents who give them to their kids. "I would never take a stimulant medication or give one to my child," he proclaims. "Ritalin is 'kiddie cocaine.'"

 

Actually, study after study has shown ADD medications to be highly effective at curbing impulsivity and distractibility. Like all drugs, ADD meds have side effects - but dependency is not a major one. In most cases, the benefits of taking ADD medication far outweigh the risks. "Ritalin has been used to treat ADHD for over 30 years," Dr. Levin says. "We have countless scientific studies on the safety of Ritalin. In fact, some of the drugs that children routinely take for asthma and cancer haven't been studied nearly as much as Ritalin."

 

Caryn Stevens, of Midlothian, Texas, wishes people weren't quick to assume that her decision to medicate her 11-year-old twins was a hasty one. In fact, quite a while passed before she agreed to medicate her boys, even after doctors urged her to do so. The same was true for Jennifer Andrews of Virginia Beach, Virginia. "My husband and I were against drugs for children - until we had an ADHD child," Andrews says. "Our daughter literally cannot sit still to eat her breakfast without medication. I learned the hard way that you must get the facts and have some experience before spouting off about something."

 

Make it clear to The Crusader that you feel drug therapy for ADD is not a cause for shame. Medicating your child doesn't make you a lazy or incompetent parent. It shows that you are an effective parent. "You don't need to explain to anyone why you are medicating your child," Dr. Ashley says. "Forget what others think. Instead, ask yourself how you feel about your choice to medicate. If you're at peace with it, the opinions of others should not matter to you."

 

Next time someone says, "I would never... ," look him in the eye and ask, "If you had diabetes, would you not take insulin? Would you deny insulin to a child who had diabetes? Then why should I withhold appropriate medication from my child?"

 

"Ultimately," Caryn Stevens says, "I think it would be a crime not to give my boys every resource available to enable their success."

 

The Joker

The Joker takes potshots at ADD, using sarcasm and pretending that his barbs are innocuous, says Lillian Glass, Ph.D., the Beverly Hills, California-based author of Toxic People. A Joker might say, "I wish I had ADD! At least then I'd have an excuse for my bad behavior." Or, "Pass the Ritalin - I could use a (wink, wink) 'boost.'" Other Jokers make "clever" twists on the ADD acronym, claiming that it really stands for "Adequate Discipline Deficiency."

 

The intent of such comments, of course, is to have fun at your expense. But if you show anger or indignation, The Joker protests, "I was just kidding." Marilyn Cullinane, a 63-year-old ADDer from Lowell, Massachusetts, once had a boss who joked endlessly about her ADD. Whenever she made a mistake, he would say - loud enough for all to hear - "ADD got the best of you again, huh, Marilyn?"

 

Mick Quinn, the author of Power and Grace: The Four Steps to Authentic Joy, suggests that "selective silence" can be a good way to counter The Joker. "As soon as you realize that someone is being nasty, choose not to respond," he says. "This was how Gandhi did it - and note the results."

 

Cullinane put up with her boss's teasing until she found a new job. Then she wrote a letter to her former corporate headquarters, detailing her abuse at the hands of her boss - and he was fired.

 

Of course, Cullinane had another option, as does any ADDer who is harassed on the job: legal action. But before resorting to this, Philadelphia-based employment lawyer Robin Bond suggests being direct: "When you say X, I feel Y," or "Mocking my medical condition is hurtful, and I'd like you to stop." If the direct approach fails, Bond says, consider moving up the chain of command or consulting a lawyer.

[elizam]

the rest of the article:

 

The Ostrich

The Ostrich can't accept that any person (including himself or his own child) has ADD - even in the face of evidence to the contrary. "There's nothing wrong with me," he says. "I just take things as they come and try not to tie myself down with plans." Or, in response to news that his child has been diagnosed with ADD, he might inform the doctor, "There's nothing wrong with my kid that an old-fashioned spanking won't cure." No matter how fervently the pediatrician, psychologist, teacher, or family member waves the red flag, The Ostrich cannot (or won't) accept the ADD diagnosis.

 

"Acceptance can be hard, since ADD is considered a mental disorder," Southern says. Some people resist testing altogether because they can't acknowledge even the possibility that such a disorder runs in the family.

 

If you're married to an Ostrich, say, "This is not about you or how you feel about ADD. It's about our child and what we need to do for her." It might take awhile, but most Ostriches eventually pull their heads out of the sand. Don't give up

 

The Voice of Doom

The Voice of Doom sees a bleak future for ADD kids, warning that "People who have ADD never amount to anything. They all lead lives of failure and disappointment." The Voice of Doom ignores the evidence suggesting that people with ADD are often energetic, intelligent, and creative.

 

Maybe your child won't grow up to be Steven Spielberg or Michael Jordan. Or maybe he will. After all, both Spielberg and Jordan have ADD. Apparently, so did Thomas Edison, Agatha Christie, Ludwig van Beethoven, Henry Ford, and Vincent van Gogh.

 

The honor roll goes on and on, reminding us that ADDers can live rich, productive lives. "We may be inconsistent, and less productive, in the short run," says Scott Nipper, a teacher with ADD from Houston. "But we're more likely to accomplish big things through our passionate, hyperfocused pursuit of projects. What seem like off-task distractions can sometimes lead to great innovations."

 

What's the best defense against a Voice of Doom? A strong offense. Marcia Conner, of Staunton, Virginia, is a former corporate executive who now runs a small company. She tells each Voice of Doom she encounters, "I have fresh ideas, endless energy, and an Olympic-level multitasking ability. I can't imagine how people without ADD excel in business. It's my competitive advantage!"

 

Next time you're face-to-face with Eeyore, turn the tables. Say, "If Richard Branson can found Virgin Records and Virgin Atlantic Airways, despite having ADD, I'm not worried about my son," or "If my daughter turns out as well as Suzanne Somers or Whoopi Goldberg, who both have ADD, that's fine with me!"

 

No doubt about it, ADD makes it hard to navigate the "normal world." But with appropriate support, Luanne Southern says, "ADD individuals can lead happy, healthy lives."

 

And maybe, just maybe, extraordinary lives.

 

Our thanks to ADDitude Magazine for permission to reprint this article. This article originally appeared in the August/September 2006 issue of ADDitude.

[Joanne]

I despise the black and white/all or nothing thinking on this topic.

 

The fact that ADD/ADHD exists in some people does not mean that every suspected, diagnosed or treated "case" is legitimate.

 

The fact that it is over diagnosed for a variety of reasons does not mean every "case" is suspect and does not change the challenges and pain involved with families who struggle to meet this challenge.

 

The truth is there is some science behind some manifestations of ADD/ADHD. There is a list of observable, quantifiable symptoms. There is *also* a totality of symptoms that are also the characteristics of 2-13 year old boy. There is also lifestyle and parenting that creates a child that has similar attributes as other children diagnosed with ADD.

 

I do not believe that God's design is for us to have a significant percentage of our people, especially our boys, afflicted with a life changing, life challenging organic disorder. Therefore, I have to believe something else is going on.

 

I have met and dealt with for hours daily children I believe have ADD (or other diagnosable issue). And children who have the diagnosis, are treated but I believe the real issue to be institutional, parenting or environment. This is not meant to cause anyone grief or pain. I am not denying ADD/ADHD.

 

But I think it's a national tragedy that so many of our children (especially boys in number) are being labeled and diagnosed. I'm aghast that this doesn't shock, anger and challenge people to take a look at what's fueling the diagnosis.

[angela in ohio]

I think that environment--diet, lack of LOTS of exercise/free time outside, increase in electronic/screen time, drug//alcohol exposure before birth, genetics, etc. all play a role as well.

 

 

This is dh's field, and from what I have seen in the research, students, etc., my bet is on this list. You could add lack of sleep, though I haven't seen the tonsil point before; I just know many of dh's students when he taught in the classroom stayed up late into the night playing video games or watching movies.

 

Dh struggles with homeschoolers who want to say that it is just over-diagnosed by schools, as he spent most of his teaching years trying to convince parents to start with a behavior plan and see if that worked before begging a doctor for drugs as an easy fix. It goes both ways. Some schools over-diagnose, some parents over-diagnose.

 

But then you have the students whose lives are dramatically changed when it is the right diagnosis, and they are properly medicated. That should be the goal -- medicating just those students who need it, and medicating them correctly.

 

Yes, I believe something that looks like ADD or ADHD can be caused by parenting. We have a severe case in our extended family. Saying that doesn't mean ALL ADD or ADHD is caused by parenting. We need to be able to be honest about this. The medications are drugs put into a child's body, which should always be a last resort, imho. If lifestyle changes or parenting classes can fix it first, we should be able to say that without it insulting anyone who has an actual medical case of ADD or ADHD with their child.

[angela in ohio]

:001_smile: Didn't see Joanne's post before I posted. I could have saved time with a :iagree:

[PrairieAir]

I agree that some of these things can lead to ADD/ADHD type behavior and are probably why we've seen an increase in ADD/ADHD. Judging from children I've known whose parents told me they were diagnosed with either ADD or ADHD (a very small percent of the overall number!) I believe it is overdiagnosed.

 

Some of what I've seen is what I would call fairly normal behavior, especially for young boys.

 

Some of it is helped by change in diet. My cousin has a sensitivity to red food coloring and corn which causes extreme changes in her behavior.

 

I also think some is caused by the types of activities more children are engaged with for increasing amounts of time these days. I do see a difference in children who watch a lot of TV or play a lot of video games as compared to children who get plenty of outdoor and physical activity and who read more.

 

When my youngest son was diagnosed with a convergence deficiency and needed vision therapy, the therapist told me that she sees many children who have some sort of vision problem or another who are diagnosed as ADD/ADHD and whose behavior changes radically once their vision problems are taken care of. That makes me wonder exactly how the diagnosis of ADD/ADHD is made. It seems there may be a wide margin for error there. I am quite certain that we would have had school officials pushing for such a diagnosis with both of my boys if they had been in public school when they were young. They certainly drove me nutty at times, but I was sure that this was not the problem even though their behavior looked a lot like that of children we knew who had been diagnosed with one of these.

 

Now, I'm not saying it doesn't exist. I'm just saying I believe it is very much overdiagnosed and that the causes are often not properly addressed. Some children may need medication. I'm not arguing that either. I have seen children whose parents did not want them on the medication have the schools force them into taking that course.

 

One family we know was told their son could not come back to school unless he was on his meds. I worked with him in a youth program and saw him both on and off the meds. He was not difficult to work with beyond the range of what I felt was normal for a 10-year-old boy without meds. Both parents worked and could not afford to have one parent stay at home and homeschool him. Several people tried to tell the mom that she did not have to put up with that from the school and that she had rights. She felt bullied and eventually gave in to their demands. It was very sad for me to see because she felt the medication changed his personality and took away his creativity. She said he was like a shell of his true self and she would have preferred the more hyperactive child.

 

I know another family who began homeschooling for the same reason. They did not like the change they saw in their son with the medication. I never in a million years would have thought of this boy as ADD or ADHD if his parents hadn't told me he had been diagnosed as such. I don't think anyone would guess it, and I believe the diagnosis was dead wrong in his case.

 

:rant:

 

Sorry, I think I've gotten a little carried away. I do think there are children who are properly diagnosed and who benefit from the medication or alternate methods of treatment. However, I think this is something that is widely overdiagnosed and behavior that is due to environmental and other controllable factors is more commonly the cause than any actual disorder. I also think that schools sometimes push the diagnosis to get the kids on medication and make them more manageable, not really caring about the real cause or about the child. That's just lazy and irresponsible.

[mcconnellboys]

Very interesting! I hadn't heard about your first two thoughts before, so that's new info, but certainly sounds plausible.

 

The other things you mention are the sorts of things I'd always thought of in past, especially the increased screen time exposure from very young ages.

 

I'm reading Evidence of Harm right now, and they seem to link all the ADD/ADHD and lots of other LD problems to the fuller autism spectrum and the larger levels of mercury exposure at younger ages over the course of the last couple of decades (as well as multi-virus vaccines, to some extent).

 

Mercury is a neurotoxin and receiving large amounts of it during early neurological development would certainly seem a plausible method (to me, at least) of causing potential problems, especially in those who might be more sensitive than others (family history of auto-immune problems, etc.). Number of mandated vaccines rose from about 5 in the 1980's to 21 in the 1990's for kids six months and younger (including, I think, a pre-natal flu vaccine). Sometimes as many as 9 shots are given at a single visit. That's a load of mercury.

 

Now, our government has banned mercury from some of the vaccines (not all), finally, but they didn't pull old product from the shelves at the time, so there's still plenty of product out there containing mercury.

 

Regena

[Copswife]

I completely believe its real. My foster son has it and medication helps me (actually him, but helps us all! lol) tremendously. If he's not on it, he's a ping pong ball, bouncing all over my house, all over the other children.

 

In the past, I really did poo-poo all of the ADHD diagnoses I would hear about. I had NO personal experience. Now, I do.

 

My foster sons psychiatrist that works with the foster system in my county talked to me at length the other day because I wanted his professional opinion on ADHD and medicating children.

 

He said as of right now, there is no actual test (blood test, scan, etc.) to diagnose ADD/ADHD. He also said there are far too many misdiagnosed kids out there, but there ARE kids with it that need medications. We talked at length, but that was really the gist of it. He did say how girls get unnoticed in school and lost in the shuffle that have ADD because they don't act out. Boys on the other hand GET diagnosed (wrongly) because they DO act out.

 

So, I'm sure there are kids out there suffering with problems and not getting help as there are probably thousands of little boys on these meds that don't need them.

 

Clear as mud. lol

 

Because of my experience fostering, I am SO much more understanding and sympathetic to parents with special needs kids. I will never give those looks because I have a child that is acting out and I have NO authority to do anything as a foster parent. I can put him in time out. :tongue_smilie: But when there is a melt down in the middle of the mall, that doesn't help me much. :lol:

 

Tracie

 

Silencing Skeptics: The Truth About ADHD

by Deborah Carpenter

 

The debate about attention deficit disorder (ADD ADHD) is over. O-V-E-R. Just about every mainstream medical, psychological, and educational organization in the U.S. long ago concluded that ADD is real, and that children and adults with attention deficit disorder benefit from appropriate treatment. Yet, somehow, the world still seems to be filled with self-appointed ADD "experts" - some well-meaning, some sanctimonious - who insist on burdening us with their ill-informed opinions and asking repeatedly, "What is ADD?"

 

We've all heard the comments: "ADD is bunk!" "Can't people take responsibility for their own actions anymore?" "All that so-called ADD kids really need is discipline!" "Drug companies invented ADD so they could sell stimulants." Blah, blah, blah.

 

We expect to hear such nonsense from misinformed movie stars ranting on talk shows. But what about the know-it-all who happens to be a friend? Your child's teacher? A co-worker - or your boss? What about a member of your own family?

 

Let's be honest: Words hurt. Holier-than-thou barbs, fault-finding, and finger-pointing can make you resentful and just plain furious. "Discussing ADD can be as touchy as talking about politics or religion," says Susan Ashley, Ph.D., author of The ADD and ADHD Answer Book. "Feelings get hurt, defenses go up, and relationships suffer when there are disagreements about it." In extreme situations, families disintegrate, and kids and grownups who need help don't get it.

 

Should you bite your tongue and walk away? Make a sharp retort? Make an effort to educate the ignoramus? A jab to the nose might make you feel better, but it probably isn't the best solution.

 

Here are the five varieties of ADD naysayers out there, and the right ways to respond to each.

 

The Skeptic

The Skeptic denies the very existence of ADD, calling it a phantom that was cooked up as an excuse for bad parenting. He maintains that ADD would go away if parents simply reined in their brats and stopped letting them run amok. What about the adults who say they have ADD? "Why," says The Skeptic, "they just need to grow up and take responsibility for their shortcomings, rather than blaming an illness."

 

No one questions the existence of diabetes, heart disease, or migraine headaches, says Philip Levin, Ph.D., director of The Help Group/UCLA Neuropsychology Program. Yet, he says, people who don't know better question the existence of ADD - despite a body of research indicating that it is a neurobiological disorder that affects 5 to 10 percent of children and 3 to 6 percent of all adults.

 

Given a wealth of evidence, the National Institute of Mental Health has concluded that ADD is a real medical condition. So has the American Psychological Association, which includes ADD in its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the bible of mental-health professionals. And the U.S. Department of Education requires educational institutions to provide special accommodations to kids with ADD - it's the law.

 

When Suzanne Herman, of Tyler, Texas, encounters Skeptics, she tells them the reason they don't "believe in" ADD is that they've probably been lucky enough never to have experienced it, either in themselves or in a loved one. "If my ADD son could exert the control necessary to conform, he would," Herman says. "No child would choose to be isolated and punished constantly."

 

Indeed. "Unless ADD hits close to home, one may never totally understand it," says Luanne Southern, the senior director of prevention and children's mental health at the National Mental Health Association in Alexandria, Virginia.

[elizam]

It saddens me that so many homeschoolers prefer to blame schools and or parents.

 

merely homeschooling my ds did not "fix" the problem.

 

He always got plenty of fresh air, exercise and wholesome food.

 

We aren't the most lax or the most controlling parents in the world. Fairly "normal", whatever "normal" is.

 

I do think the schools should do more evaluations of LDs. Meds help my ds tremendously, but I suspect there are other issues going on, which I don't think we are ever going to figure out without testing.

 

I still wish we hadn't held out so long before trying meds. They aren't as dangerous as the media hypes them up to be, and putting a child on meds isn't "drugging" them. Please.

[Copswife]

I'm aghast that this doesn't shock, anger and challenge people to take a look at what's fueling the diagnosis. __________________

 

Money. isn't it always?

 

 

(please don't bash and read my previous post. I DO believe SOME kids truly have it. My foster son does.)

 

I despise the black and white/all or nothing thinking on this topic.

 

The fact that ADD/ADHD exists in some people does not mean that every suspected, diagnosed or treated "case" is legitamite.

 

The fact that it is over diagnosed for a variety of reasons does not mean every "case" is suspect and does not change the challenges and pain involved with families who struggle to meet this challenge.

 

The truth is there is some science behind some manifestations of ADD/ADHD. There is a list of observable, quantifiable symptoms. There is *also* a totallity of symptoms that are also the characteristics of 2-13 year old boy. There is also lifestyle and parenting that creates a child that has similar attributes as other children diagnosed with ADD.

 

I do not believe that God's design is for us to have a significant percentage of our people, especially our boys, afflicted with a life changing, life challenging organic disorder. Therefore, I have to believe something else is going on.

 

I have met and dealt with for hours daily children I believe have ADD (or other diagnosable issue). And children who have the diagnosis, are treated but I believe the real issue to be institutional, parenting or environment. This is not meant to cause anyone grief or pain. I am not denying ADD/ADHD.

 

But I think it's a national tragedy that so many of our children (especially boys in number) are being labeled and diagnosed. I'm aghast that this doesn't shock, anger and challenge people to take a look at what's fueling the diagnosis.

[cin]

I, too, have ADD. I am 42, so I'm not sure about some of the more current triggers. I had tonsils and adenoids removed when I was 7. I was also in *7* foster homes before I hit my final destination, at 20 mos. I also have a very high IQ. The first, I mention because it occured at such a crucial point in my development, the 2nd, because it seems to be common among ADDers. I wonder if their brains are just overloaded?

 

I dont' eat alot of fruits and veggies, but I'm also not a huge fan of 'fake foods'. Protein and starch are my choices, with sugar and chocolate running a VERY close second. Ice cream is my secret passion,a dn I get that 2-3X wk.

 

I too wonder about our toxic world, but the one thing that I don't think has been mentioned is the busyness. I cannot focus long enough to finish a task....do I have too many tasks? When kids were in a 1-room schoolhouse, there wasn't as many kids, the schoolwork was written on a chalkboard wiht chalk, so there weren't alot of colors, they had time to work off their energy cause they walked 5 miles up hill, both ways, in waist high snow :D. And, of course, they ate pure foods. And, the teacher didn't have to deal with 30 kids who have been cooped up all winter, so she wasn't as apt to diagnose the one that was out of line.

 

Just some rambling thoughts.....

 

 

Oh, I beleive that dd6 has ADD also. She came home at 12 mos, was in 3-4 different places that 1st year, and also has a high IQ. She gets omegas daily and chocolate send her out of control, emotionally.

[Joanne]

It saddens me that so many homeschoolers prefer to blame schools and or parents.

 

merely homeschooling my ds did not "fix" the problem.

 

He always got plenty of fresh air, exercise and wholesome food.

 

We aren't the most lax or the most controlling parents in the world. Fairly "normal", whatever "normal" is.

 

I do think the schools should do more evaluations of LDs. Meds help my ds tremendously, but I suspect there are other issues going on, which I don't think we are ever going to figure out without testing.

 

I still wish we hadn't held out so long before trying meds. They aren't as dangerous as the media hypes them up to be, and putting a child on meds isn't "drugging" them. Please.

 

I think you are reading from a place of frustration and pain. I don't think you are reading the whole of what the posters here are saying.

 

FWIW, I feel about anti-depressants the same way you feel about proper ADD med treatment. I personally wish I had not waited so long. My experience with pharmaceutical treatment of clinical depression did for me in 15 days what years of "sunlight", "good diet", "exercise", "more AA meetings" and therapy could not; it made my body normal. I'm sharing this candidly so you'll understand I get it on a level.

 

However, having worked first hand and hours each day with dozens of kids 2 - 13, I can tell you that "the system" (school, daycare, parents' schedules) is set up to make normal boys fail or miss the mark. From that reality is created all sorts of challenges including an over diagnosis and mistreatment and over medication of our youth's children.

[Copswife]

I agree that school should do more testing for learning disorders. But a teacher is not a doctor and shouldn't be able to diagnose ADD or ADHD. A private school tried this with our son years ago. A principal had the audacity to tell us to medicate him. Uh, hello? Are you a doctor? And you base your opinion on what?

 

He was a wise cracking jokester. Never fought, got into trouble, or disrupted class. But because he would raise his hand and make a joke to whatever the teacher was discussing.

 

Anyway, my foster sons psychiatrist told me that choosing to medicate a child is a VERY serious decision. He is responsible for most of the children in foster care in our county. He was very cautious about choosing a medicine and trying the lowest dose possible. He also had me read the insert and HOLY SMOKES. Yes, my foster son needs them, but if we didn't have to put them on them, there is no way I would. It could affect his growth (height) for his life, his heart if there is any under lying issues, his appetite (which it has), etc. He's a small guy as it is and this complicate things because he needs to grow and gain weight.

 

BUT, w/o meds, its a nightmare. Sigh.

 

It saddens me that so many homeschoolers prefer to blame schools and or parents.

 

merely homeschooling my ds did not "fix" the problem.

 

He always got plenty of fresh air, exercise and wholesome food.

 

We aren't the most lax or the most controlling parents in the world. Fairly "normal", whatever "normal" is.

 

I do think the schools should do more evaluations of LDs. Meds help my ds tremendously, but I suspect there are other issues going on, which I don't think we are ever going to figure out without testing.

 

I still wish we hadn't held out so long before trying meds. They aren't as dangerous as the media hypes them up to be, and putting a child on meds isn't "drugging" them. Please.

[Robin Hood]

diagnosis of ADHD.:001_smile: A great economist said something like...if you want more of something, subsidize it. There are tens of thousands of professionals and para-professionals whose livelyhood depends on children being diagnosed, not to mention pharma companies and natural remedy dealers. It's like that movie Field of Dreams. If you build it they will come. 100 years ago there was no diagnosis "ADHD".

quote]

 

Those words describe how I think about adhd, but yet something is amiss with my dd (9). I have an appt with the ps for testing this Friday. But then, this morning as I am driving at work, I listened to an audio book of CS Lewis, The Problem of Pain. Aside from the fact that the reader is reading too fast for me to comprehend the depth of Lewis' words, he got me to thinking that much of her (or anybody's) behavior is related to self will. For dd, the desire to play extremely dominates the desire to concentrate and work, and the will definantly obeys the desire to play appearing as inability to concentrate, until there is a reason and desire to learn. Desire can't be forced. But dd does comply, taking hours to accomplish my desire, hating it the entire time. Give her something she loves and she is focused. She wants the laboratory and then the learning. (She told me this when I asked what can I do to help her learning become easier, saying, "I want to do all the experiments but I don't want to read the book or write it down." She will devour any How To book.)

 

Listening to Lewis made my thoughts turn to how I help her without meds or testing or, etc.

 

But, as much I am fighting the adhd thing, it very well describes her behavior. She takes all my energy, which other dd needs too, but I am too mentally wasted to give her. I am very confused and fighting contempory wisdom, looking to distant history and how these things and education were handled, how difficult children suceeded, at what ages they suceeded, were there any reversals in manners of education, etc compared to all the medical diagnosises and meds of today.

 

Whipserlily had me thinking yesterday, too, at how we train our children at home, but we had a busy field day and I never got back to follow her thread.

 

I am rambling; sorry. I am also very wierd in how I relate to things, so if I missed the point, forgive me.

[Robin Hood]

Good words and well put Peela. Having a dd who has a difficult time, yet resisting conventional treatment, I understand and like what you said.

[LG Gone Wild]

I have another in my afterschool care care who is fine except his personality/energy level and giftedness don't fit into the current system in public school so he's medicated.

 

He sounds just like my son.

[Wendi]

Peela, you're a naturopath?? My ds is seeing one now; that's why he's on the elimination diet. Would love to hear more from you.

[mcconnellboys]

Yes, I think a lot of factors come into play. I don't just think that recent increases in vaccine scheduling have caused the condition; I think it may have caused a huge increase in the condition, but kids on the spectrum have been around for quite some time. The first reported case of full blown autism occurred shortly after vaccines began to be given, in the 1940's.....

 

Regena

[Ottakee]

I really didn't mean for this to turn into a heated discussion. If you read my first WOW post you will see that we have decided to use medication for 2 of my 3 kids for ADHD and it is SOOOO worth it for them. Yes, there are risks but the risks of NOT using medication were much more severe.

 

I just threw out those ideas as PART of a possible reason, not at all saying that true ADD/ADHD does not exist. I live with an ADHD husband, ADD son, ADD daughter and ADHD daughter---from 3 different sets of genetics (adoption).

 

I do think that ADHD is real and for some kids, medication is the best answer. If you look over on the special needs board you will find I am actually quite pro medication. I just don't like kids being put on medication without ruling out other possible causes for the behavioral/learning challenges.

[Lady Katherine]

"Screens" are certainly high on my own personal list of suspects (I have two with ADHD, one significantly affected). I'm sure high fructose corn syrup and toxins in the environment are also contributors.

 

(And I don't have time to read the entire thread. But if you think ADHD is a "fake condition" that is only increasing because of the drug companies and public school teachers (as I used to before two of my kids were diagnosed), I invite you to spend a week with my 13yo ds. His ADHD is as real as real can get.)

 

But ADHD is not the only condition that is increasing. Autoimmune disorders, for example, are increasing like crazy. It used to be that you rarely saw anyone younger than 10 or older than 20 get Type 1 "Juvenile" diabetes; but now doctors are routinely seeing toddlers and infants with it, and adults are getting it more and more often. We are also seeing children with Type 2 "adult onset" diabetes.

 

It's weird. I'm sure there are common threads. Our environment and diet are inarguably less than healthy.

[Peela]

I despise the black and white/all or nothing thinking on this topic.

 

The fact that ADD/ADHD exists in some people does not mean that every suspected, diagnosed or treated "case" is legitimate.

 

The fact that it is over diagnosed for a variety of reasons does not mean every "case" is suspect and does not change the challenges and pain involved with families who struggle to meet this challenge.

 

The truth is there is some science behind some manifestations of ADD/ADHD. There is a list of observable, quantifiable symptoms. There is *also* a totality of symptoms that are also the characteristics of 2-13 year old boy. There is also lifestyle and parenting that creates a child that has similar attributes as other children diagnosed with ADD.

 

I do not believe that God's design is for us to have a significant percentage of our people, especially our boys, afflicted with a life changing, life challenging organic disorder. Therefore, I have to believe something else is going on.

 

I have met and dealt with for hours daily children I believe have ADD (or other diagnosable issue). And children who have the diagnosis, are treated but I believe the real issue to be institutional, parenting or environment. This is not meant to cause anyone grief or pain. I am not denying ADD/ADHD.

 

But I think it's a national tragedy that so many of our children (especially boys in number) are being labeled and diagnosed. I'm aghast that this doesn't shock, anger and challenge people to take a look at what's fueling the diagnosis.

 

:iagree:

[dirty ethel rackham]

Thanks for bringing this up. I saw that show and I was absolutely heartsick for some of these children and the lifelong damage they have suffered as a result of being the guinie pigs at the hands of psychiatrists. One mom kept bringing her child back to the doctor and getting a new drug every time, yet they never showed her getting up off her rear to actually parent the child. Chilling!

[Jenny in Atl]

 

But ADHD is not the only condition that is increasing. Autoimmune disorders, for example, are increasing like crazy. It used to be that you rarely saw anyone younger than 10 or older than 20 get Type 1 "Juvenile" diabetes; but now doctors are routinely seeing toddlers and infants with it, and adults are getting it more and more often. We are also seeing children with Type 2 "adult onset" diabetes.

 

It's weird. I'm sure there are common threads. Our environment and diet are inarguably less than healthy.

 

:iagree:

As the mom of two kids with autoimmune disorders... no family history, good diet, no drugs, limited and delayed vacs.... something in our over all environment is very wrong.