2006-09-05 12:36:39 · 9 answers · asked by dechpres 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Special Education
Some people believe that ADHD is a condition that only responds to medication. I think it is just the personality of the child. Medicating is an easy "fix" for some teachers and parents, much easier than behavior modification. Unfortunately, the child ends up only being able to function "normally" - in other words in a way that is approved of by teachers - when under the influence of strong medicine. I know many energetic, creative children whose teachers insisted that they be medicated for ADHD. All of them brought their behavior under control with known, tried-and-true modification techniques, and without changing their personality by the use of medicatoin.
2006-09-05 12:46:15 · answer #1 · answered by Bad Kitty! 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ADHD is real. Kids who truly have ADHD have a biochemical condition that does impact their ability to focus on the task at hand, to maintain attention, and to control their impulses. As a special education teacher, I have taught more than a few students who truly had ADHD and literally were unable to keep their eyes on a paper long enough to print their first name. Some of those kids also had some serious behavior problems, because they were unable to take even a moment to consider the possible consequences of their behavior.
Having said that ADHD is absolutely real, though, I also have to add that it is "diagnosed" far too often. Many kids, especially boys, have a tough time sitting still for as long as we expect them to in school. They aren't hyperactive, but the normal activity level of little guys can be pretty high, and their attention span can be pretty short. I have students whose mothers are convinced that they have ADHD because they run around the neighborhood and misbehave, when in fact they are active kids who need some guidance and structure in their lives. If the parents were providing the necessary supervision and teaching of social skills, they would behave much more appropriately.
So the short answer to your question (after my long explanation) is that ADHD is real, AND people sometimes use it as an excuse for inappropriately behaved children.
2006-09-05 13:40:04 · answer #2 · answered by sonomanona 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ADHD (not AD HA like you wrote!) is REAL -- I raised two children with disabilities -- one had Autism Spectrum Disorders and the other had SEVERE ADHD (and I did this as a SINGLE PARENT and a long-time one) -- without any help or any child support (my ex is a DEADBEAT DAD).
This is NOT an excuse -- it is REAL -- and my children inherited the condition from the Ex and his family -- there is a historical trail of the same behaviors that my children showed, being present in my ex, and also in his father ... and even back further.
2006-09-05 16:04:38 · answer #3 · answered by sglmom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ADHD is real. They can now do brain scans and see how the different parts of the brain act for ADHD and regular brains.
I have seen first hand, in family and in school, the marvelous difference the correct medication and behavioral treatments can make in a child's life and view of him or herself. Do I think everyone who has been diagnosed ADD or ADHD truly has it? Sadly, no. Some people want a magic pill, but, alas, there is none.
2006-09-05 15:30:52 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
ADHD is when the body makes serotonin, but it won't go into the cells, it just stays in the blood stream. It is definitely something wrong with the cell walls to not admit a necessary chemical.
The problem is that whenever a kids acts up, they get diagnosed with ADD or something, and really they are just being teenagers.
2006-09-05 12:46:11 · answer #5 · answered by nursesr4evr 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My son has been diagnosed with ADHD and he isn't a bad kid. He is a normal hyper 14 year old boy and I wouldn't change anything about him. He IS NOT on any medication...I think medicating is an excuse. He takes a little longer to deal with and isn't very organized but I don't think meds would change very much so it doesn't seem neccesary.
2006-09-05 15:50:47 · answer #6 · answered by chattykatty 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
first off its ADHD and no i dont think its an excuse. children that are genuinely affected by ADHD had extreme problems staying focused and concentrating. that leads to frustration and anxiety. i think way too many kids are given the convenient diagnosis of ADHD when they arent, however i believe some children truly suffer
2006-09-05 12:41:50 · answer #7 · answered by dawn 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
AD HA? What's your disability?
2006-09-05 14:34:43 · answer #8 · answered by Layla Clapton 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, followed by bad parenting and not knowning what else to do .
2006-09-05 12:48:42 · answer #9 · answered by nene 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋