Do you think ADHD is real and/or over prescribed?

[Anonymous]

I agree with the PP too. But, the behavioral checklist does have validity. It was used, in part, to diagnose my DS, who received a comprehensive assessment from a psychologist. Feedback from teachers and parents is part of the overall assessment. My DS was found to have ADHD, which we suspected all along. The diagnosis and medication has been nothing short of life altering. My DH and I did not hesitate on consenting to having DS medicated because we knew we were out of options at that point. We had to try several medications and doses before we got it right and, with the exception of the appetite suppression, which we constantly monitor and know when to bulk up on the food, there have been no discernible side effects. I have no doubt that ADHD is over subscribed in some cases and some kids are unnecessarily medicated but that is not the case with my DS. Thank God for medication!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm going to get flamed for this, but here goes...some of the most misbehaved children I know are diagnosed with ADHD. Interestingly enough, their parents are the most ineffective, passive and permissive adults.

I've yet to meet a child with ADHD who's raised in a strict but loving, disciplined household with firm limits, consistent boundaries, a set schedule and a healthy dose of the word n and benign neglect as needed. We're raising self-centered, entitled brats.

Go ahead, tell me that you are raising your child this way and he/she is gifted, healthy, quirky, etc. but despite your loving interventions...

We've gotten so afraid of blaming Mother or accusing the parents of neglect that experts tend to gloss over or claim the home environment is relevant.

I am the previous PP that is so glad my DS got the official ADHD diagnosis and is on medication. I am not going to flame or shame you because there are some kids and parents that fall into the category you describe but please know there are legitimate cases as well. My DS, post meds, is well behaved at school and making good grades. Like I said, I have no regrets. My DH and I are also great parents and love our child and did not want to see him suffer. But, PP, you do legitimately describe some parents. I see them at DS' school and wish they would get some professional help.

[Anonymous]

It may be overdiagnosed. But the people who say they wouldn't never medicate anything (!) or its all bad parenting have never dealt with a true medical issue, ADHD or anything else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree with the PP too. But, the behavioral checklist does have validity. It was used, in part, to diagnose my DS, who received a comprehensive assessment from a psychologist. Feedback from teachers and parents is part of the overall assessment. My DS was found to have ADHD, which we suspected all along. The diagnosis and medication has been nothing short of life altering. My DH and I did not hesitate on consenting to having DS medicated because we knew we were out of options at that point. We had to try several medications and doses before we got it right and, with the exception of the appetite suppression, which we constantly monitor and know when to bulk up on the food, there have been no discernible side effects. I have no doubt that ADHD is over subscribed in some cases and some kids are unnecessarily medicated but that is not the case with my DS. Thank God for medication!

Exactly. It really doesn't have validity as a diagnostic tool. It can provide observational information from parents and teachers that is absolutely valuable to the professional who will make the diagnosis based on a range of factors. That sounds like what happened in your case. Your son's psychologist likely did far more than just look at two checklists and say yep - the teacher checked x boxes so the diagnosis is ADHD. I have never seen a psychologist who would use the Connors to make an ADHD diagnosis. In fact if you were just using the Connors, you couldn't even need a psychologist. Just add up the score and diagnose. The problem is that there are family docs and pediatricians who are diagnosing ADHD this way. They give parents and teachers the Connors, add up the score and diagnose based on a total score on a checklist of behaviors that was developed over 40 years ago, when teh concept of executive functioning didn't even exist. When the behavioral checklists are used to diagnose, ADHD is over diagnosed because it simply says that all kids who act like a,b, and c have ADHD. In reality some of these kids have anxiety, some have learning disabilities, some have trauma and traumatic stress reactions, some have early signs of mental illness, some have ADHD. It is irresponsible to diagnose ADHD based on parents and teachers completing a checklist of behaviors.

[Anonymous]

Yes, the psychologist also did a classroom observation so she could validate what the teacher checked off on the list. And, the psychologist saw some of the same things but in the lens of an expert.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm going to get flamed for this, but here goes...some of the most misbehaved children I know are diagnosed with ADHD. Interestingly enough, their parents are the most ineffective, passive and permissive adults.

I've yet to meet a child with ADHD who's raised in a strict but loving, disciplined household with firm limits, consistent boundaries, a set schedule and a healthy dose of the word n and benign neglect as needed. We're raising self-centered, entitled brats.

Go ahead, tell me that you are raising your child this way and he/she is gifted, healthy, quirky, etc. but despite your loving interventions...

We've gotten so afraid of blaming Mother or accusing the parents of neglect that experts tend to gloss over or claim the home environment is relevant.

Would you like to meet my kids? You're welcome to come and observe any time you like. We've done the parenting classes, read the books, developed checklists, have a structure and schedule that helps not just my kids but also my ADHD DH. I doubt very much you'll see behavioral issues because my kids' behavior is pretty typical. Their problem is they're unable to regulate their attention - which really is what ADHD is. It's not an inability to attend, it's an inability to regulate attention. Learning is difficult for my kids and, therefore, difficult for them to attend to. Without medication, they can't pay attention long enough to learn in those areas they find challenging. This is in spite all the exercise, movement breaks and good nutrition they get. Oh - my kids are not gifted. We aspire to average. They have some quirks but nothing outsiders would probably notice.

I don't doubt ADHD is over/under diagnosed. As the PP said, it can be both at the same time. I'm sure you've met kids like mine, you just didn't know they had ADHD. It's not something I share with a lot of people. I'm sure you understand why.

[Anonymous]

All I know is that my mother and her 3 brothers would have had vastly different lives if they had been born 40 years later. Tragic.

[Anonymous]

I have one child who has a lot of ADHD symptoms and one who has none of them so I don't feel it's us as parents. We're overwhelmed spending so much time on the possible ADHD child that we barely have time to meet the other child's needs much less our own. ADHD child is young and doing fine or even great in school with our help so we haven't gotten a diagnosis or treatment. I don't even know where to start. What is executive function coaching? How do you even get a diagnosis if not through a school? How much time and money is involved? The ADHD child will probably grow up without being diagnosed and us helping all along the way. Others may want the 504 or whatever accommodations are given and have the money and time to get treatments.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have one child who has a lot of ADHD symptoms and one who has none of them so I don't feel it's us as parents. We're overwhelmed spending so much time on the possible ADHD child that we barely have time to meet the other child's needs much less our own. ADHD child is young and doing fine or even great in school with our help so we haven't gotten a diagnosis or treatment. I don't even know where to start. What is executive function coaching? How do you even get a diagnosis if not through a school? How much time and money is involved? The ADHD child will probably grow up without being diagnosed and us helping all along the way. Others may want the 504 or whatever accommodations are given and have the money and time to get treatments.

PP, There are lots of threads on this forum on the topics and questions you raise. Rather than start a new thread on what has been asked and answered many times, you may want to do a key word search on the SN forum.

[Anonymous]

ADHD is real. It's also over diagnosed and mis diagnosed.

[Anonymous]

(18:17 here)

Years ago, I met a child psychologist who was appalled then at how over used ADHD was. He opened a clinic, and would not diagnose a child without an EEG. He insisted that a child who has "true" ADHD will have more short brain waves than they should.

Based on his recommendations, I insisted on an EEG for my son when his teacher started yapping about Ritalin. The school psychologist would have been happy to put him on meds, so would his pediatrician. I insisted on the EEG first. It was normal, so no meds. We dealt with a lot of behavior issues with him, for a long time. Adjusted diet and clear expectations helped but didn't solve everything.

His teacher couldn't believe I wouldn't medicate and wasn't impressed when I told her why.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm raising a child with firm limits, discipline, and love. I read tons of parenting books. Think he will end up diagnosed with ADHD. Previously, I thought it was bunk, much like you do.

+1. Our house is much more structured and set to routine and boundaries than my son's peers' houses (by necessity). He hears and receives appropriate and consistent direction and reinforcements. We put the work in. Double and triple time. It makes a difference but in terms of self regulation and focus he is still far behind his peers who require and have less routine and direction. It is just the way it is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:(18:17 here)

Years ago, I met a child psychologist who was appalled then at how over used ADHD was. He opened a clinic, and would not diagnose a child without an EEG. He insisted that a child who has "true" ADHD will have more short brain waves than they should.

Based on his recommendations, I insisted on an EEG for my son when his teacher started yapping about Ritalin. The school psychologist would have been happy to put him on meds, so would his pediatrician. I insisted on the EEG first. It was normal, so no meds. We dealt with a lot of behavior issues with him, for a long time. Adjusted diet and clear expectations helped but didn't solve everything.

His teacher couldn't believe I wouldn't medicate and wasn't impressed when I told her why.

That doctor is a sample of one - a quack!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Flu and ear infections don't need medication. Strep, yes.

Okay... You are more than welcome to let your kids ear drum burst.

Broken bones don't Need pain medication either. Good luck with that.

Ear infections do need medication. My mom lost most of her hearing in 1 ear as a toddler when an ear infection went untreated

[Anonymous]

Agree with 10:39. Yes it is real and yes, it is overdiagnosed.

I worked with kids with LDs and am shocked at how many are on ADHD meds. Many pediatricians prescribe with no diagnosis at all, not even a checklist. Another psychiatrist prescribed for a teenager because even though testing ruled out ADHD, his processing speed was slow and she thought it would help on the SATs. I seriously worry about the next generation's dependency on drugs.