Misdiagnosed ADD???????????

[janewhite1]

index.html is right. In fact, by the early school years, most ADDers have developed the ability to hyperfocus on certain tasks. (otherwise, we'd never do anything at all!) This means paying attention to one thing so much that we shut everything else out.

For example, if I'm reading, I generally don't hear the first couple times someone calls my name. When I went for neuro testing at 19, I was extremely surprised to hear my mom say that I still did that. How would I know? I hadn't heard!

Anyway, I can only do this with reading things that interest me, and if it's something I need to struggle with, like a book in a language I don't know very well, then it doesn't work and I really need to fight myself for every sentence

So that's how we can concentrate on something for a long period of time.

Not sure how relevant this was to the original question of whether someone's friend's children are medicated appropriately or inappropriately, but just wanted to supply the facts.

[index.html]

Personally, I think it is very relevant because it's one of the many misconceptions that people have about ADHD. When they don't understand, they are more likely to look at a kid and say "I think that their behavior problems are a result of bad parenting".

As Aurora said, "Until you have actually lived with a child with ADD/ADHD you have NO idea what it is like." She was right. And I also agreed with you, Jane, when you said, "But, ultimately, they are her children. You can help as much as she will let you..."

[Oh, and by the way, welcome to the board! I don't think I've "met you".]

[KissAmeGal]

my son is 13, he was finally properly diagnosed with ADD/ODD, this past Feb. and no,,,,,,,it's not the parenting that makes them this way. and if you don't have a child with it........you have no idea. My son IS doing much better, now on the right medication, which is only 1. But, he still tends to forget to turn in homework, or might get upset once in awhile. But for him to sit down and play a video game or a game on the computer, requiring codes and all, remembering them by memory......this he can do and has no trouble with. Why?? because it's something that he loves to do, so it's easy for him to focus. like all with ADD, if they enjoy doing it......it comes easy for them. NOTHING to do with parenting!!

It took a long time for me to go to medication. But when nothing else works, unfortunately, it's something you need to do. and once on the right medication........OMG!! what a difference! : )

and no.....it's not a convenience

[FrustratedMomWI]

KissAmeGal~

My 13 year old daughter was just diagnosed with ADD/ADHD a couple weeks ago. We are going to see the doctor within the next week. I hope we have the same results you have had. I have also tried everything else, before she was even tested and now I am turning to something I never thought I would....meds. I have to try something different now since nothing else has seemed to work. We even went as far as giving her a vitamin that is supposed to help with staying focused (tasted horrible too) and that didn't work. Now...I am turning to the doctor to help me with her.

Let me know if you have any more insite as to how to deal with a teenager with ADD!!!

[KissAmeGal]

FrustratedMomWI,
Good luck to you and your daughter. As some don't realize.....ya know, that ones that say it has to do with parenting.....it's alot harder on the child than the parent, believe it or not.
With my son, it was a very very long road to go. he has tried many different medications, had very bad days, and a TERRIBBLE fit of rage, to get where he is now, with the right medication. Just be careful with the medications. I'll tell ya, at one point he was on Concerta, Depakote, and something else....i forget what it was....but the Depakote.........OMG!! it was awful. his behaviors got soooo much worse. he was also diagnosed with ODD (Oppositional Defiant Disorder). and that takes normal behaviors to a whole different level!! Life was so hard and difficult.....that's something that i don't ever want to have to repeat, and wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. I had tried EVERYTHING before the medication. I was totally at my wits end.
To this date at school for him, he has had no detentions, suspensions, pink slips from any of his teachers, and he passed the 1st 9 weeks....not 1 F!!
Last year...........OMG!! the 1st 9 weeks, he had 4 or 5 F's, detentions all the time, pink slips from teachers on almost a daily basis! he was also suspended a couple times last year also for a few days. he would talk back to a couple of his teachers, choose not to do things in class, WOULDN'T do HW......that was awful. and it's been a complete turn around. Yeah,,,,,,,he has moments, i think they are the normal teenage behaviors, but NOTHING like before!!!
So.......keep in touch. let me know how things go.