Post by Amtram on Jun 24, 2014 11:00:38 GMT -5
From the National Center for Learning Disabilities
Even the American Psychological Association, which has no stake in the pharmaceutical industry, agrees it's real. And. . .anyone around here have a relative with ADHD? Parent, child, sibling?
Even if you outgrow some of the physical hyperactivity, it can show up in other ways - emotionally and mentally.
Many of us have exhibited or seen in our children signs of ADHD that predate "parenting." Studies have yet to be done to show that these signs are definitive, but researchers are starting to recognize that this is worth investigating.
Lucky me, I am female but was disruptive in class. Not all girls with ADHD are quiet and hard to notice!
As always, a better ability to diagnose results in an increased number of diagnoses. People don't like their idea that ADHD is a made-up disorder to be contradicted, so the "overdiagnosis" and "dangerous medications" and "Big Pharma Conspiracy" narratives get a lot more press than they deserve.
And late adulthood and old age. . .
NCLD has links on each one of these points in the article, and is a good resource for parents of children with any kind of educational needs, so if you're a parent, I'd recommend clicking the original link. The site uses Disqus comments, so you can comment anonymously and get notification of responses. I just wanted to quote it here for those of us who just want to whine about stuff.
Myth #1: ADHD isn’t a real medical condition. Fact: The National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Psychiatric Association all recognize ADHD as a medical condition. Research shows that it runs in families, meaning it might be genetic.
Even the American Psychological Association, which has no stake in the pharmaceutical industry, agrees it's real. And. . .anyone around here have a relative with ADHD? Parent, child, sibling?
Myth #2: All kids with ADHD are hyperactive.Fact: Even parents who have a child with ADHD may think this one is true—if their child has hyperactivity as a symptom. But not all kids with ADHD do. There are three types of ADHD, and one of them—ADHD, Predominantly Inattentive Type (also known as ADD)—doesn’t have an impact on activity levels. Kids with this type of ADHD may appear daydreamy or off in their own world.
Even if you outgrow some of the physical hyperactivity, it can show up in other ways - emotionally and mentally.
Myth #3: ADHD is the result of bad parenting. Fact: People who don’t know your family, or much about ADHD, may attribute your child’s behavior to a lack of discipline. They don’t realize that the inappropriate comments or constant fidgeting are signs of a medical condition, not of bad parenting.
Many of us have exhibited or seen in our children signs of ADHD that predate "parenting." Studies have yet to be done to show that these signs are definitive, but researchers are starting to recognize that this is worth investigating.
Myth #4: Only boys have ADHD. Fact: While it’s true boys are about twice as likely as girls to be diagnosed with ADHD, that doesn’t mean girls don’t have ADHD. They’re just more likely to be overlooked and remain undiagnosed. Attention issues can look different in boys than in girls—girls tend to be less disruptive in class.
Lucky me, I am female but was disruptive in class. Not all girls with ADHD are quiet and hard to notice!
Myth: #5: ADHD is overdiagnosed. Fact: Studies show that ADHD is actually underdiagnosed in minority populations in the U.S. One reason ADHD might seem overdiagnosed to some people is that awareness of the disorder has been growing since the 1990s, when it became recognized under special education law as a condition that affects learning. There are also a lot of celebrities with ADHD who have brought ADHD into the public eye.
As always, a better ability to diagnose results in an increased number of diagnoses. People don't like their idea that ADHD is a made-up disorder to be contradicted, so the "overdiagnosis" and "dangerous medications" and "Big Pharma Conspiracy" narratives get a lot more press than they deserve.
Myth #6: Kids with ADHD will outgrow it. Fact: ADHD is a lifelong condition. The symptoms may change as your child gets older and learns ways to manage them, but that’s not the same as outgrowing them. As many as 80 percent of kids with ADHD will continue to have symptoms throughout adolescence and adulthood.
And late adulthood and old age. . .
NCLD has links on each one of these points in the article, and is a good resource for parents of children with any kind of educational needs, so if you're a parent, I'd recommend clicking the original link. The site uses Disqus comments, so you can comment anonymously and get notification of responses. I just wanted to quote it here for those of us who just want to whine about stuff.