Replies

It is, if one of you kids has it.

It's a nightmare to deal with at times for both parent, child and teacher.

If you embarrass easily in public, don't have ADHD children.

I have a lot of empathy for anyone who has a child with ADHD.

Here is a web site that might give you a better understanding of what ADHD parents have to deal with everyday: http://www.understandingadhd.com/webcast_transcript.asp?b=understandingadhd&f=adhd_comprehend&c=helpadhd&pg=2

or

http://www.understandingadhd.com/focus_index.asp?f=adhd_comprehend&b=understandingadhd

We have real problems with mental health.

The Democrats prove everyday that mental problems not dealt with can be detrimental to the population and our country.

Do you ever watch The Nanny on television? IMO that's the sort of transformation most ADHD kids need. I'm not saying it is never legit; I'm just saying that I doubt it is most of the time. In one week the nanny can transform an ADHD household into an orderly one with nothing more than proper discipline. Maybe Dare to Discipline should be given to every parent in the U.S. Spend my tax dollars on it. Give out Spanish editions. Books on tape. Whatever it takes.

For a change, let's have a little "empathy" for the other 98 or 99% of the kids who are normal but who have to put up wtih the undisciplined monsters in their classes - and who, often enough, are part of a "group punishment" arising from the actions of the "ADD" kid.

How do you explain to an 8-year-old who thinks it's unfair that the whole class has to do without recess for a week because little Bradley was acting up?

I am the parent of a rambunctious, hyper, 3 year old. She does her own thing 90% of the time, and it takes 100 times to tell her something for her to do it. Extremely advanced in many things: less-so in social skills. She IS 3. The family hints she may have ADHD... which I asked the pediatrician about. She calls her "spirited", which many of the S.D. FReepers who met her would probably agree with.

I watch "SuperNanny"... every week! The same-age children in some of the shows are not unlike my own at times, and her techniques are helping us, when applicable.

But, if I had a doctor diagnose her as ADHD, I'd probably seek more information as well as a 2nd opinion. I've never heard ADHD considered a disability, and it's "in" our family: unfortunately IMHO used as a crutch. And I have what IS considered a disability, that most people would never question: MS. I'm one of the lucky ones, who has it but you can't tell by looking at me most of the time, so even I grow uncomfortable with being called "disabled" when there are so many who are worse off than I.

On another note: It seems to me that the parents of this child in the article could have better spent their money on specialized education, than on an attorney all the way to the Supreme Court? It isn't stated that I recall, but I doubt this case was free.

I have total sympathy for you.

I'm an adult with ADD -- not ADHD. I was always pretty much a straight-A student, when I was interested. It wasn't a lack of capability of learning in the other classes, more like a lack of caring. I could make myself focus when I say a point to it. Well, I say that, I could sort of make myself focus, to an extent.

The thing is, I was one of those, "she's a great kid, but she talks too much" girls. Good grades, so they ignored, or wouldn't listen when I tried to explain what was up in my head.

When I went to college the first time I struggled. I left.

I'm back in now and holding a 4.0. It's harder than h*ll. I also freely admit that I am medicated now -- I take Provigil.

The way I explain my thoughts to people -- think Dumbledore in the HP movies. The bowl with his memories in it - the pensieve.

In a way, that's how the thoughts get in my head. There are tons of things floating around, not really separated from one another. A lot there, just spinning. The Provigil gives me the ability to pull one thought out and complete it.

I agree that in boys, it's overdiagnosed, but I also believe that girls are often ignored if they have issues with the same disorder.

I wouldn't dream of special ed though. I know at the University I could apply for special stuff (extended test taking etc etc) but I won't. I want to earn my degree fair and square, and not something that is modified.