Attention parents:News about ADHD.

[busybody..]

Important news in todays Wall Street Journal Section D page 1.

It is almost impossible to distinguish between ADHD and just "being a kid". Often the "diagnosis" is made by guess work and many many kids that dont need to be medicated, are medicated.

There seems to be a new painless noninvasive test on the market that can determine if your child suffers from ADHD or is just a kid.......

The news article is worth reading......A must read feor all parents......

You are welcome

 

[Backyard sweaty]

Important news in todays Wall Street Journal Section D page 1.

It is almost impossible to distinguish between ADHD and just "being a kid". Often the "diagnosis" is made by guess work and many many kids that dont need to be medicated, are medicated.

There seems to be a new painless noninvasive test on the market that can determine if your child suffers from ADHD or is just a kid.......

The news article is worth reading......A must read feor all parents......

You are welcome

Bullshit! It's a must read for the lazy parent who blames ADHD for their laziness as parents. Those few kids that actually suffer from this their parents, doctors, educators and social workers have already made them aware that it is "almost impossible to distinguish between ADHD and just being a kid".

Just MHO.

 

[freakygirl]

Ok.. I'm a lazy parent because my child was recently found to have a form of ADD?

Lets see.. I've spent since the beginning of September teaching her math and reading. Something she just couldn't grasp. She's a second grader and was reading at a low first grade level and her math skills were non existant.

I spent a lot of money on reading and math books. I looked into special classes for her through the college. They were for learning disabled people.. Nothing I did worked. She couldn't keep her mind on the school work.

So I did what I thought was best. Talked to her dr.. and 2 different specialists in the ADD field.

She is currently seeing a child therapist weekly and is on Adderall XR. The lowest dosage once a day. Hmmm let me grab her the school report that was sent home yesterday (I get them weekly from her teacher.. lets go back 3 weeks. )

For the week of November 18th-22nd-Kimber was unable to finish her math work in class. It needs to be done this weekend and returned on Tuesday November 26th (no school on the 25th). Please have her read her book to you atleast a half hour a night during the weekend. She is still behind and I'm concerned.

For the week of November 26th-27th (short week because of Thanksgiving). (Kimber started the medication on the 26th). Wow! Wonderful day! Are you sure you sent the same child to school that has been attending since the beginning of the year? Not only did she finish her math and reading in record time, but she also helped the other children. What did you do? (teacher hadn't been told of the medication usage. I wanted to see what she had to say before telling her)

For the week of December 2-6th-Kimber had an AR (accelerated reader) test today. I'm amazed at the progress that she has made. She is now reading at a level of 4.2 (fourth grade, second month). She can't read enough. It seems like a light has gone on in this little girls head. Math has improved so much that I'm currently having to give her repeat papers, as I don't have anything yet for the next level. I will work on that this weekend.


Now.. until you live with a child that is ADD.. please don't act like you know what is going on in their heads. Don't pretend to know that because of lazy parents these children are the way they are. It's not because I'm lazy. Ask anyone that has seen me or read about my interactions with my child. I'm probably one of the most hands on mothers around.

 

[littlekateyes]

Thank you for the article, but I am not a lazy parent by any means. My son has been diagnosed with ADHD,along with many others, but I do not agree with the ADHD. I do however agree there are some parents out there that do not want to deal with their kids, or how active they are. My son would have never of walked or sat by himself if it wasn’t for me. Therefore I am not lazy.

 

[MissTaken]

Freaky?

With all due respect, I don't believe anyone suggested parents of ADHD kids are lazy.

It sounds more like a warning to be wary about whether the label is appropriate or if the child is just responding to child like stuff.

Indubitably, after reading this post and your other thread, K does have ADHD and my heart goes out to you.

Parents of truly ADHD kids are definitely NOT lazy! It takes a lot fo work, love and commitment to raise an ADHD child.

 

[bluespoke]

Freaky?

With all due respect, I don't believe anyone suggested parents of ADHD kids are lazy.

MissT, I think that FGs reaction is quite understandable given the previous 'performance' of Busybody in the earlier thread on the subject.

 

[freakygirl]

if I incorrectly read Backyard sweatys post.. then I apologize.

It's a touchy subject for me. Not a lot is known about girls with ADD/ADHD (my daughter has a slight ADD personality. It's really hard to explain. But basicly, she can't learn some things. Other things she learns quickly.) She isn't hyperactive at all. That is why the dr was so amazed that she has it. She has none of the normal "outward" signs of ADD. But then.. they say girls are different than boys when it comes to ADD.

I'm still learning (hence the reason we go to the child therapist every week). Hopefully someday Kimber will be able to learn how to learn. We are working on that. Until then I feel the best way to handle it is with medication.

 

[freakygirl]

MissT, I think that FGs reaction is quite understandable given the previous 'performance' of Busybody in the earlier thread on the subject.

Bingo! Thanks bluespoke.

 

[Mischka]

Freaky, that's awesome that your little girl is improving so rapidly! I bet she's loving school these days.

 

[busybody..]

Can anyone here READ?

All I told youse people..is read the important article in the WSJournal.......the new technique will enable to diagnoss ADHD without a doubt.......

Just read the article.......

I refrained from making any comment,,,,,,,,,My comments were made on another thread

Just invest $1.00 buy the paper and read the article!!!!!!!!!

 

[freakygirl]

Freaky, that's awesome that your little girl is improving so rapidly! I bet she's loving school these days.

She is. I'm thrilled with the outcome of all this. Usually there is problems with medications.. trying to find the right one and the right dosage. Only side effect that she has had to the meds she is on.. is dehydration. But she gets to take a real cool water bottle to school.. so it's not much of a problem.

 

[littlekateyes]

Re: Can anyone here READ?

All I told youse people..is read the important article in the WSJournal.......the new technique will enable to diagnoss ADHD without a doubt.......

Just read the article.......

I refrained from making any comment,,,,,,,,,My comments were made on another thread

Just invest $1.00 buy the paper and read the article!!!!!!!!!

I did read the article, and thank you. I was a little upset by what Backyard sweaty posted.

 

[PepperminTrish]

I am so happy to hear that she is doing so well now!! I've been wondering about her but I didn't want to be nosey and all and I'm so glad that you posted this info/update. I hope that it continues to only get better and better for her.

 

[freakygirl]

Can I read the article online? The closest town that sells the paper is 50 miles away. The weather sucks.. and I have laundry to do. I'm not driving that far for one article.

Link me if possible please.



Peppermint-Feel free to ask at anytime. I haven't posted any updates because I hadn't thought about it.

 

[bknight2602]

As a person who suffered from ADD and have a child with ADD, not ADHD, I'm not sure that a "test" can replace the diagnosis of a triained psychiatrist/behavior therapist to diagnose the disorder. For those people who don't believe in the disorder, I have pity because they truly don't understand the anguish that parents go through dealing with the afflicted children.

 

[busybody..]

freaky

Can I read the article online? The closest town that sells the paper is 50 miles away. The weather sucks.. and I have laundry to do. I'm not driving that far for one article.

Link me if possible please.



Peppermint-Feel free to ask at anytime. I haven't posted any updates because I hadn't thought about it.

I dunno...suggest you call the DR. and ask for the test.

Best of luck to you daughter.

 

[littlekateyes]

As a person who suffered from ADD and have a child with ADD, not ADHD, I'm not sure that a "test" can replace the diagnosis of a triained psychiatrist/behavior therapist to diagnose the disorder. For those people who don't believe in the disorder, I have pity because they truly don't understand the anguish that parents go through dealing with the afflicted children.

 

[bknight2602]

I forgot to mention that I taught special education for a number of years, and have the personal experiences with individuals, who "didn't" think their children needed medication for various disorders. I would agree partially to the notion that many children are treated for ADD/ADHD that should not be. If they had been properly evaluated then they may not have been medicated in the first place.

 

[littlekateyes]

I forgot to mention that I taught special education for a number of years, and have the personal experiences with individuals, who "didn't" think their children needed medication for various disorders. I would agree partially to the notion that many children are treated for ADD/ADHD that should not be. If they had been properly evaluated then they may not have been medicated in the first place.

I agree, but I feel medication should be at very last resort. I do not think kids should be medicated until they are much other.

 

[bknight2602]

I agree, but I feel medication should be at very last resort. I do not think kids should be medicated until they are much other.

Yes, I'm with you 100%, but for those that do need it, to have denial is not the correct behavior.

 

[guest1977]

Can I read the article online? The closest town that sells the paper is 50 miles away. The weather sucks.. and I have laundry to do. I'm not driving that far for one article.

Link me if possible please.

http://online.wsj.com/public/health

You asked milady?? Here it is, I am afraid though that it only allows those with an online subscription to read it directly. Beware of the pop ups too.

Cannot find it posted elsewhere on the Net either, I have tried both Yahoo, as well as Google. Sorry.

 

[freakygirl]

I agree, but I feel medication should be at very last resort. I do not think kids should be medicated until they are much other.

I had her evaluated.. then medicated. I wasn't happy about it, but because the out of pocket expenses were far from my reach and my insurance wouldn't pay for it. I had no choice.

I couldn't do anything but "try the medication" first. I disagree that we, as parents, should wait until they are older to medicate them. If I would have waited much longer with my daughter she would have been so far behind in school that she may have never caught up.

Reading is just about the most important thing they learn in school. They say.. the first three years you learn to read.. after that you read to learn. She is in second grade and seven years old.. how much longer should I have waited to medicate her? 3rd grade? 4th grade? 8th grade? By then.. she has the label of being a slower learner. I remember those kids in school. I felt sorry for them.

Anyway.. this is a new subject to me. I'm still learning. And believe me.. I'm doing all that I can to find out what is best for my daughter. Because she is the most important thing.

guest1977-Thank you

 

[miles]

Important news in todays Wall Street Journal Section D page 1.

It is almost impossible to distinguish between ADHD and just "being a kid". Often the "diagnosis" is made by guess work and many many kids that dont need to be medicated, are medicated.

There seems to be a new painless noninvasive test on the market that can determine if your child suffers from ADHD or is just a kid.......

The news article is worth reading......A must read feor all parents......

You are welcome

...and you're ful of shit.

Actually, you're more like a rash that can't be reached.

 

[guest1977]

guest1977-Thank you

Quite welcome.

 

[Don K Dyck]

ADD CAN BE FUN . . .

Can I read the article online? The closest town that sells the paper is 50 miles away. The weather sucks.. and I have laundry to do. I'm not driving that far for one article.

Link me if possible please.

Peppermint-Feel free to ask at anytime. I haven't posted any updates because I hadn't thought about it.

Can't link you, FG, but as an ADD person I can recommend some wonderful books . . . aussie doctors led the way in ADD diagnosis and treatment for many years . . . and during a long career in education, at one school with a high ADD-incidence rate among students, the very smart primary teacher took first period to "tire the little darlings out" by running around the playground . . . meant that the students concentrated for the rest of the day . . . no drugs, no hassles, no hang-ups . . .


1. Green, Christopher and Kit Chee, 1997, Understanding ADHD, Doubleday. ISBN 0-86824-745-6

Dr Green is a leading Oz pedatrician who carried on the work of his mentor Dr Gordon Serfontein, one of the originators of ADD study in adults and kids.


2. Hartmann, Thom, 1995, ADD Success Stories, Mythical Intelligence Inc, USA. ISBN 1-887424-03-2

A successful businessman illustrates his personal experience with ADD. He has written several books, all very useful.


3. Kelly, Kate and Peggy Ramundo, 1993, You Mean I'm Not Lazy, Stupid or Crazy?!, Fireside, NY. ISBN 0-684-81531-1 (pbk)

Two adult professionals, both ADDers, give sound advice . . . you don't grow out of ADD, you just learn to manage it better . . .


4. Kelly, Kate and Peggy Ramundo, 1997, The ADDed Dimension, , Scribner, NY. ISBN 0-684-83224-0

A survival handbook for those days that just . . .


5. Solden, Sari, 1995, Women with Attention Deficit Disorder,, Underqwood Books, Ca. ISBN 1-887424-05-9 (pbk)

A woman doctor's personal experience with ADD and disorganisation.


Experience suggests that

a. at least one or preferably two strenuous exercise periods a day will assist self-management of the need to exercise;

b. a supportive, understanding family environment is very, very important;

c. many top sports persons exhibit characteristics of ADD, especially hyper-concentration;

d. there are many POSITIVE attributes about being ADD . . . you have a unique brain wiring which allows "lateral thinking" and novel problem solutions frequently unseen by "normal" people; concentration is totally on whatever it is that you are doing; personal energy is unlimited, especially when doing something that you enjoy; you dislike boring activities and boring people.

e. in OZ about 93% of the prison population dislays ADD behaviour, frequently there is also poor family support when a child;

f. diet appears to be important, especially susceptibility to red dyes, caffeine in coffee, tea and soft drinks, white flour and white bread may also be a problem due to the added preservatives;

g. some research suggests that most of the innovations of the last 400 years were achieved by persons having ADD;

h. some famous ADDers include Winston Churchill, wartime leader, Nobel Prize for Literature, whose primary school English teacher said, "He has trouble forming his sentences" and Leonardo da Vinci;

i. you may even find that you have some of the behaviours described as ADD, that was how my best mate found out he was ADD.

Oh, and you'll probably find that ADD kids (and adults) hang together because they understand eachother. In our cohort of university undergraduates, over 80% were ADD . . . and always remember . . .

"Only the mediocre are always at their best!"

Don K Dyck OverADDchiever