Say Uncle comments on the news in the Tennessean that 10% of kids in Tennessee have the school’s pet disorder: ADHD. I used to work for a daycare where a lot of the kids had ADHD. I felt really bad for them, because if their parents would forget their medicine, the kids would be whacked-out all day.
But was that the fault of the meds or the disorder? I really don’t believe there are that many kids that have ADHD, I think most of those "ADHD" kids could benefit from some strong discipline. It’s just like those kids that have ODD, or Oppositional Defiant Disorder.
Now, I’ve know several kids with ADHD that had good parents, but I don’t think it’s a coincidence that every single kid I’ve ever met with ODD had terrible parents. I’m sure there are a few kids out there with ODD that have good parents, but I’ve never met them. I’d hazard a guess that they’re all on the internet, though. Kind of like the entire 1% of parents who are physically unable to breastfeed are all on the internet.
What say you? Do you think doctors have just missed diagnosing ADHD all these years and there really are that many kids with ADHD? Or do you think environmental factors have caused the surge of kids that have ADHD? Or do you think it’s being grossly overdiagnosed by doctors who don’t want to tell the parents that they just need to learn to parent?
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I, for one, think ADHD is totally over diagnosed. I am in total agreement that the underlying problem lies in parents and their discipline techniques. Now, there are some kids that would benefit with medication, let's face it some do have ADHD but I think doctors and parents choose the side of meds because they are too lazy to take responsibility. I've seen it in parents that I personally know. With child abuse on the rise discipline has gone by the wayside unfortunately and now we've resorted to drugs to try and control our kids and the survey says….they are more out of control than ever.
Posted by: Kristen | July 6th, 2007 10:53 am |
I agree with Kristen on her points. Basically I think its overdiagnosed and an "easy" way out. I've got a three year old and one year old and you could totally say my three year old has ADHD, heck my husband has it so maybe that could fuel the fire. BUT, he's normal. Three year olds can't sit still and have nearly all the classic symptoms of ADHD. I've changed the dynamics of some friendships because a person can't handle my kid. He's too wild or too much of a boy but he's one of the best behaved kids I know. You just have to let kids be kids. And many kids can't handle the rigors of a full day of school without chemically being altered. I'd find a different type of school instead unless of course they truly need the meds. Thats my $.02!
Posted by: Angela | July 13th, 2007 3:42 pm |