Are all kids adhd/asd

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I my circle, solidly half the kids have something like looks at least adhd to me. We moved to a new town 6 years ago so our circle is small. And ds has pretty severe social issues so while I’ve met parents through school, in most cases it’s not because our kids were friends. The three friends that ds has either become natural friends with (or I made friends with the parents and the kids got along at least tolerably) - two for sure have the adhd diagnosis (and parents have hinted at borderline asd) and the other one seems pretty obvious to me as adhd (bouncing off the walls). One couple we’ve recently become friends with, their daughter is on the spectrum. Another couple we’ve recently become friends with, our social group speculates that dad is on the spectrum - and I think son has similar traits. Another good friend of mine - her kid used to always have a hard time at bday parties because he was “emotionally intense” and recently changed schools because he was developing tics. A couple of those families have seconds kids who seem NT. And my closest friend’s kids are all NT. But the rest of that list are my closest friends or ds’s closest friends and all have one SN kid (or I would at least a speculate, being very familiar with the criteria). While the kids who ds is friends with id say there was a like finds like thing, DH and I are both NT and don’t have social issues - so it doesn’t explain why our friends kids are also SN.

Also, ds goes to a gifted school and that place is like half asd on the boys side. At a welcome brunch years ago, the counselor even said as much (essentially saying she ran a lot of social skills groups because with a highly gifted population, a significant number of kids were borderline spectrum at least as relates to social skills). When I’m on campus, this is pretty obvious.

It’s possible these kids were always there but until very very recently we thought all kids/ people with autism were rocking in a corner - not ‘walking among us’ and all kids with adhd were like my ds - hyper and Ragey!

[Anonymous]

Yes and no. More kids are (correctly) diagnosed and identified earlier than in prior generations. People are more open about discussing accommodations and supports. I think it’s great. Our Gifted and Talented coordinator at our school talks about how ALL kids deserve to learn and practice critical thinking and creativity. I hope we move towards a school culture where it is recognized that all kids benefit from being explicitly taught social skills and executive functioning strategies.

My older child probably has ADHD or is on the mild end of the ASD spectrum. A generation ago he would have flown under the radar as a quirky kid, prone to day dreaming, a bit introverted. If I had only one child, I would not think anything was different about him. The main clue is that I have ADHD / ASD diagnoses that I got as an adult and often when my child does something quirky or frustrating my mom says “you were that way” or “you used to do that”.

The other main tell that he’s likely to get these diagnoses at some point is that I have two children and my younger son is so clearly NT in comparison.

[Anonymous]

I work in a mental health facility, and we like to say “EVERYONE has some form of mental illness; what matters is if it is affecting your ability to function in daily life.”

I think the same holds true for things like ADHD. I can absolutely guarantee if I was evaluated I would easily get the diagnosis - my son as well. But we are fully functioning and our deficits have not risen to the level of needing medication. We have found ways to handle it that keep us going, and generally don’t struggle too much on a daily basis.

Just my two cents.

[Anonymous]

Posting again (9:38) - as an adult with ADHD I think there is something about how most middle class white suburban families raise their kids that triggers more ADHD behaviors. I’m stereotyping that demographic because it’s what I am familiar with and my experience assumes some privileges that are not universal- like healthcare and money to pay for sports and activities.

I didn’t know I had ADHD until my late 20s, even then I didn’t know certain behaviors were part of my ADHD or ASD until my early 40s! I had a parent at home who made most food from scratch. She intuitively figured out that a high protein breakfast and daily strenuous exercise were what helped me do my best. She used checklists and routines to teach me independence and responsibility. It wasn’t until college the cracks started to show for me because I didn’t have her gently intervening when I started to go off track. This has helped me understand that it’s not enough to build supports for my kids, but to explicitly explain what I am doing and the how / why so they get to a point where they can implement their own supports.

I work full time. I have multiple kids. Unlike my mother, I don’t have a degree in elementary education. My kids eat more processed foods than I did. Our culture expects more out of kids academically, at earlier ages. My community encourages kids to specialize and play sports at a higher level at much earlier ages. Paradoxically parents are more involved, longer - staying at practices, talking to coaches. When I was 9 like my oldest, I was packing my own sports bag and walking myself to practice. In a weird combination of factors my kids are both busier and more coddled than I was. There are a lot of parts of their day/week that would trigger my ADHD if I was participating and not an adult on the sideline.

In short, I think we’re putting our kids in scenarios that bring out behaviors earlier and more. Combined with access to diagnosis and therapies, the kids are then being identified earlier and more often.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A ton of kids are getting adhd asd dx now bc they changed the dsm so asd is basically the most vague dx ever. Adhd is a pretty black and white dx in that if you have adhd, stimulants or non stimulants will help your symptoms and if they don’t then you prob don’t have it. Asd is like - do you not have tons of friends, are you not super easy going, do you cry a lot, do you get frustrated a lot, are you immature for your age, are you depressed or anxious as a teen? If answer yes to any of above then congrats in 2023 you can get an asd dx and then your school will have to actually help you

This is all nonsense, fyi.

Tell that to the guy who helped widen the asd dx

https://nypost.com/2023/04/24/doctor-who-broadened-autism-spectrum-sorry-for-over-diagnosis/

Your description of both ADHD diagnosis and ASD diagnosis is incorrect. And the numbers show that you're mistaken.

The asd dx description was purposefully wrong to show the erroneous symptoms that still get kids an asd dx currently.

I did not describe the adhd criteria except to say that if medication does not help, likely the person does not have adhd

This is a myth, and one that is very hurtful to children and families.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Posting again (9:38) - as an adult with ADHD I think there is something about how most middle class white suburban families raise their kids that triggers more ADHD behaviors. I’m stereotyping that demographic because it’s what I am familiar with and my experience assumes some privileges that are not universal- like healthcare and money to pay for sports and activities.

I didn’t know I had ADHD until my late 20s, even then I didn’t know certain behaviors were part of my ADHD or ASD until my early 40s! I had a parent at home who made most food from scratch. She intuitively figured out that a high protein breakfast and daily strenuous exercise were what helped me do my best. She used checklists and routines to teach me independence and responsibility. It wasn’t until college the cracks started to show for me because I didn’t have her gently intervening when I started to go off track. This has helped me understand that it’s not enough to build supports for my kids, but to explicitly explain what I am doing and the how / why so they get to a point where they can implement their own supports.

I work full time. I have multiple kids. Unlike my mother, I don’t have a degree in elementary education. My kids eat more processed foods than I did. Our culture expects more out of kids academically, at earlier ages. My community encourages kids to specialize and play sports at a higher level at much earlier ages. Paradoxically parents are more involved, longer - staying at practices, talking to coaches. When I was 9 like my oldest, I was packing my own sports bag and walking myself to practice. In a weird combination of factors my kids are both busier and more coddled than I was. There are a lot of parts of their day/week that would trigger my ADHD if I was participating and not an adult on the sideline.

In short, I think we’re putting our kids in scenarios that bring out behaviors earlier and more. Combined with access to diagnosis and therapies, the kids are then being identified earlier and more often.

This is a very insightful and interesting perspective!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Posting again (9:38) - as an adult with ADHD I think there is something about how most middle class white suburban families raise their kids that triggers more ADHD behaviors. I’m stereotyping that demographic because it’s what I am familiar with and my experience assumes some privileges that are not universal- like healthcare and money to pay for sports and activities.

I didn’t know I had ADHD until my late 20s, even then I didn’t know certain behaviors were part of my ADHD or ASD until my early 40s! I had a parent at home who made most food from scratch. She intuitively figured out that a high protein breakfast and daily strenuous exercise were what helped me do my best. She used checklists and routines to teach me independence and responsibility. It wasn’t until college the cracks started to show for me because I didn’t have her gently intervening when I started to go off track. This has helped me understand that it’s not enough to build supports for my kids, but to explicitly explain what I am doing and the how / why so they get to a point where they can implement their own supports.

I work full time. I have multiple kids. Unlike my mother, I don’t have a degree in elementary education. My kids eat more processed foods than I did. Our culture expects more out of kids academically, at earlier ages. My community encourages kids to specialize and play sports at a higher level at much earlier ages. Paradoxically parents are more involved, longer - staying at practices, talking to coaches. When I was 9 like my oldest, I was packing my own sports bag and walking myself to practice. In a weird combination of factors my kids are both busier and more coddled than I was. There are a lot of parts of their day/week that would trigger my ADHD if I was participating and not an adult on the sideline.

In short, I think we’re putting our kids in scenarios that bring out behaviors earlier and more. Combined with access to diagnosis and therapies, the kids are then being identified earlier and more often.

My experience is the opposite. I grew up on a farm in the midwest. We had lots of daily 'heavy work, had strong routines (cows have to be milked the same time ever day for one thing), raised all our own meat, raised most all our own veggies, many of our fruits, had our own honey, made many of our own cheeses and rarely had processed foods. From an early age, we had responsibilities, jobs and a lot of independence to complete our chores.

Yet, my brothers with ADHD still struggled - and not just in the classroom. I can't count the times gates weren't closed, tools were left out, a critical step was missed, or something was overlooked that caused damage or additional work. Did you know that farm kids have a far greater risk of injury/death than non farm kids? A moment of inattention can have dire ramifications.

I don't think modern society/expectations are the cause of the increased rates. I think it’s better diagnostic skills and broader understanding of ADHD.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I read that ADHD has been 10% of the population dating back to early humans. Anthropologists put forth that the ADHD impulse and risk taking may have helped with human migrations. The ADHD subset would be the first to climb over the mountain or try something new. If they survived others would follow.

And go into the cave and be eaten. And forget to plant the crops on time and starve the family. And walk the train tracks and be hit. “Accident” city.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I read that ADHD has been 10% of the population dating back to early humans. Anthropologists put forth that the ADHD impulse and risk taking may have helped with human migrations. The ADHD subset would be the first to climb over the mountain or try something new. If they survived others would follow.

Yes, If their mom packed their lunchbox and backpack they’d make it beyond the wall.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't have a tinfoil hat but I think most everyone can present with ADHD (lack of sleep, food colors, too much stimulus). I've often wondered if the whole world could benefit from ADHD meds that help you concentrate. Plenty of kids take Adderall to help them ace the SAT and high stakes tests.

I also think most people have varying levels of autism. I have trouble looking people in the eye while speaking and also difficulty in social situations.

But ADHD kids take meds so they can brush their teeth, not so they can ace the SAT.

Also the point is that one way of being sure that adhd is the correct dx is to see if adhd meds make symptoms better. If someone is not symptomatic to begin with then it’s moot. But if they are symptomatic but no adhd med helps then likely adhd is the wrong dx

Zero evidence of that myth pushed by pharmaceutical investors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No, but with the amount of screen time all these kids are getting, they will present as if they had ADD or ADHD because it saps their ability to hold attention (mine too, I'm well aware!)

It has the exact opposite effect on people with adhd.

No one here is talking about zombie attention to a screen supporting ADHD.

Any kid can zombie out on Netflix or video games. Then turn around and have a temper tantrum at going to bed or having to listen to a teach live teacher, parent or coach.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: Yes, OP. ALL kids have ASD/ADHD. Every kid can get dx and get pills to ace tests. They all watch screens all day long!

That's what you wanted to hear, right?

No she wanted to hear:
Yes it’s a spectrum, we’re all on it.
no it’s not a disorder it’s a learning difference.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's also possible your friend group does have a slightly higher % of kids with ASD/ADHD if the parents skew older.

+1 this

[Anonymous]

Yes. There is definitely a higher percentage of diagnoses for ADHD and ASD.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes and no. More kids are (correctly) diagnosed and identified earlier than in prior generations. People are more open about discussing accommodations and supports. I think it’s great. Our Gifted and Talented coordinator at our school talks about how ALL kids deserve to learn and practice critical thinking and creativity. I hope we move towards a school culture where it is recognized that all kids benefit from being explicitly taught social skills and executive functioning strategies.

My older child probably has ADHD or is on the mild end of the ASD spectrum. A generation ago he would have flown under the radar as a quirky kid, prone to day dreaming, a bit introverted. If I had only one child, I would not think anything was different about him. The main clue is that I have ADHD / ASD diagnoses that I got as an adult and often when my child does something quirky or frustrating my mom says “you were that way” or “you used to do that”.

The other main tell that he’s likely to get these diagnoses at some point is that I have two children and my younger son is so clearly NT in comparison.

I actually think adhd is standing out so much now because they aren’t teaching executive functioning at all. I went to private school and remember the teachers drilling us about organization. We had to write everything in assignment books, file papers in the right folders and be on task.

My dd is mild adhd and basically teachers will let her daydream all day, every day. She’s not a problem child and she is smart, so they don’t care. They have complained to me about her desk organization at school. Or how she’s not on task. Sorry but she’s at school to 7 hours a day, this is solidly in their realm. I have her very organized at home. They probably want me to medicate her and I’ll likely have to, but I really think she’d excel at a strict school.