Comments on: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

By: Irene

Irene — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 10:58:40 +0000

I say “medicate or pay at a later date”. My best friends son, now a young adult, had many problems in school, beginning at an early age. She was constanttly called to the school about her sons overactive behavor. He was a good kid and teachers all found him charming but he was constantly getting into trouble at school. The youngest of three, he was never neglected, I would even call him spoiled. Whenever there was trouble in the neighborhood, he was always involved. His mother struggled with the option to medicate but chose not to. Now he is a young adult and after many scrapes with the law is facing prison time. Had the time and money been spent early on for testing and evalulation perhaps it would not be needed today for an exspensive legal defense. This young man was loved by his family and liked by neighbors and friends but was contantly getting punished for his “petty” toubles which have turned into repeated “petty” crimes. I believe that had he been medicated and nipped his problems at an early age, he would not be facing prison time today. We all know he will not get the help he needs in prison and this may be the begining of repeated incarcerations in his future. He never learned from his mistakes in the past and prison does not offer any tools to learn anything except how to be a better criminal. How sad.

By: sara

sara — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 04:36:23 +0000

i agree w/ jean. many children are over diagnosed. i have 4 girls. the oldest is 6 and a half, then 4, 3, and 18 months. our oldest has been diagnosed ADHD. last year after starting school in K. she is a small child for her age and they had her on a dose of 15mg of adrell. it had a positive @ school but @ home she was sad, pale and sickly. we as parents do not see a difference between our 4 girls @ home, so when summer came we didn’t give them to her. she is in the first grade and has been back a few weeks. sometimes she has trouble sitting still and put her name on the paper. this is the same @ home. but she just had her first spelling test and done well, very well i might add

By: Jean

Jean — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 04:38:38 +0000

Okay–I have read multiple posts on this topic. Here’s a genuine question for all you “non-medication” supporters—-if your child had diabetes, would you give him insulin?? There is NO difference.
Yes, I agree that probably more kids are being mis-diagnosed these days and given pills to compensate for a lack of parenting skills…But those who need it–need it!!
It is simply not fair to expect a child with true ADHD to be able to follow normal socially acceptable rules without giving them the tools to do so–ie medication.
Now, be sure your child is evaluated and treated by a competent pediatric physchiatrist prior to treatment. I had my son evaluated by 3 different DR’s before deciding to medicate!

By: Kirtley Thornton, PhD

Kirtley Thornton, PhD — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 23:42:46 +0000

The most effective long term solution to the ADHD problem is a well designed EEG biofeedback approach. The approach addresses the underlying problem in central nervous system functioning, the brain. There are many research studies that have been published on this topic. Please include this approach when you discuss ADHD. The parents need to know that their is an alternative to medications, which are risky and potentially dangerous.
Kirtley Thornton, PHD

By: J Brian Wright

J Brian Wright — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 17:54:39 +0000

I have worked with teens with ADHD for 17 years. A few things help. Find something that they are very interested in and they will excel at it. Then use this interest to get your way in other areas.
Also, break things down in small chunks. Don’t say go clean your bedroom. Say, go make you bed and come and tell me when you are done. Then say go pick up any toys or clothes off the floor and come and tell me when you are done. When these are done come up with that thing they are interested in as a prize. Another, is to encourage weight lifting or especially running as a hobby or a sport. Usually they will love it and it tires them out enough to slow them down for other things. It works.