do you think that ADHD/Learning disabled children can be cured with medication or discipline?

Question

I my self am Learning disabled/ADHD/Dislexic and i take medication i feel it helps i would like to hear others voice on this subject

Answer 1

Your question is somewhat broad, but bear with me and I will try to give you several answers.

SOME kinds of ADHD, ADD, dyslexia and other learning disorders may be treatable with medication. Others may not be.

The PERCEPTION that such things as ADHD, ADD and other disorders exist may be partially incorrect.

Some parents in our culture are not sufficiently patient and mature to be good parents. Some of them persuade their pediatrician that there must be something wrong with their child (usually a male child) because they cannot cope with the child's natural exuberance. The doctor diagnoses ADD or ADHD and the child is medicated, leading to an overall lower activity (for which, read: noise) level. The parents are happy that their child is now "better behaved". For more on this, please refer to one of my previous Best Answers on this topic.

In addition to this, the noted authors Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle have suggested that a diagnosis of dyslexia is a self-fulfilling prophecy that the child can NEVER be normal, can NEVER learn to spell/ read/ do basic math/ etc. As they have pointed out in their works, "It (dyslexia) is a prediction that says that this child can never learn to read. And with that prediction on his record-- why, strangely enough, none of them ever do. Unless they happen on a teacher who doesn't believe in educationese witchcraft."

I am not a doctor and I do agree that there are some types of disorders which are helped by medication. If it helps you, you are fortunate to be helped so easily, and I am happy for you. But you must understand that we are all different individuals, and it is not right or theraputically helpful to assume that what is helpful to one person will be broadly helpful to all.

These disorders seem to fall along a spectrum of seriousness, analogous to the autism-related spectrum of disorders. The number of people that have recovered from autism is very small, and no clear information has emerged yet, to determine whether autism is curable or whether these remarkable recoveries were the result of mistaken diagnoses.

However, for the sake of the children, we must make every effort to be sure that our diagnoses are not mere perjorative labellings which will harm them and limit their development.

Answer 2

This is not an easy Q to answer! Some kids do great, some don't respond, some get worse. No medication fixes the problem. It is too complicated. There are some things a parent can do to ehlp the situation. You just begin trusting your gut. Education (for the parent) on the subject is mandatory. There is so much more help available today than 20 or 30 years ago. Your support network should include your child's Psychologist, an advocate, and the child's school and teachers. All must get on the same page. An IEP should be in place (at school) if the child has been officially diagnosed. These childrens brains are not damaged, they are not bad and they are not just discipline problems. Their brain chemistry is different. They do need special handling and fail to respond like the average child to many situation. Failing to pick up on social ques is one of the problems and impulse control is another. Helping the child to deal with these problem areas will further his basic self asteem. This is a difficulty that the child may dealwith his entire life. Patience, love and a caring attitude go a long way. These children are often quite intelligent and super aware of their world. They can be difficult but can be managed. It takes perseverance and building on knowledge to take you through the years to build a successful, happy young adult. I have found a fantastic suppliment called BeCalmed which I have used for 4 years. This is an Amino Acid compound that really helps. There is also a disciplining tactic called Love & Logic which teaches the child to be responsible for his own actions (as all children should be - it works for all children, not just ADHD - they have a special program on the subject). A high protien diet with the absence of high sugar foods (especially on an empty stomach), red dyes (Red #40) and juices from concentrate (they contain a defoaming agent that excites the nerves of some of these children). (Milk contains a defoaming agent too.) I hope this information has helped. If you want more info on some good resources send me an e-mail and I'll send you a list. Love goes a long, long way towards helping these children become productive young people. Best wishes. (ADHD children may also be "Indigo" children!!)

Answer 3

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Where to begin. There are those who say, "this is a made up disorder, an excuse for bad parenting." That is their opinion, and no matter how stupid it may be, they are entitled to that. ADHD is a recognized, real disorder. Not necesarily a disability, per se. But these children's learning ability is compromised, because of their inability to focus or stay on task. I am a mother of an 8 year old son with ADHD. It started out when he was 4 and in daycare, he was out of control to the point he was kicked out of 4 of them. I , too, thought I was doing something wrong. Kindergarten, suspended 4 times, because of his not listening and bad behavior. I had holes in his bedroom walls, where he would lash out. He lost things, couldn't remember things. couldnt keep friends, because they didn't want to be around him because he was so hyper. I can't tell you how many nights I layed awake and cried, because I blamed myself. Finally, after many times in the principles office and many sleepless nights, he was evaluated, tested and ultimately diagnosed ADHD. This was not my fault, other than the fact that it is hereditary and has genetic factors. We tried behavioral therapy, alone, then also with a reward system. This did not help. Then they recommended drug therapy. Okay. I was a little hesitant, but the doctor assured me that this was the only way. He was right. My son went from reading a kindergarten level in the second grade last year, in 3 months he was on 3rd grade level and making straight A's on his report card. He started Ritalin a year and a half ago, and has not been in trouble one time. He has good grades, and he is not a Zombie, as some of these self righteous parents out here would like you to believe. Children with ADHD lack the chemicals in the brain that stimulate them. That is where the medication comes to play. The chances of a child with ADHD having less symptoms without meds are slim to none. I tried it, it doesn't work. Why did I chose to add medication to my sons teatment? I was tired of him being labeled a bad kid. I was tired of people saying why cant you control your child? Now that he is better, idiots, like some of the people who have answered your question, still have something to say. So I guess parents of children with ADHD are Damned if they do and Damned if they dont. There is an on line magazine that I am involved in call ADDitude magazine. This could be helpful to those who have an open mind and are actually willing to learn about ADHD before they begin making assumptions.
ps. There are many myths behind adhd, including that these kids are lazy, stupid, will never amount to nothing. There is also the myth that these kids will try or use drugs when they get older. Research has shown that children with adhd who are not treated are more likely to try stimulating drugs, such as cocaine, as opposed to the kids who are treated when they are younger.

Answer 4

Before anyone can say anything, they need to step into my shoes -- as a Single Parent (and long time one) of TWO children with disabilities -- and YES, ADHD IS a disability -- and my CHILD inherited that from the ex's family -- and My OTHER Child had Asperger's Syndrome (High Functioning Autism), and BOTH had Learning Disabilities as well as Communition/Language Processing Disabilities.

That said -- it was a combination of Medication (they do help, but have to be monitored for effectiveness in helping control the symptoms), Psychiatric in and out patient treatments, Hospitalizations (as necessary), Therapy (weekly), and the IEP that got both of my children NOT ONLY through their Schooling, but into College -- and with the Ability to have independent lives.

That is not to say there is a cure -- because they will ALWAYS have these disabilities -- but there are workarounds for those conditions, and YES, I DID have to set a routine for EACH child -- and stick to it RELIGIOUSLY -- meaning every day had set activities occuring at a set time, and the schedule was not changing. This was so that they would LEARN the routine needed to be a successful adult in life, and have the ability to live on their own with minimal to no support systems in place.

Answer 5

I'm dyslexic, I believe that medicine doesn't do a thing for you. What I did with my dyslexia is this:

I'm dyslexic with numbers.
At wal-mart they sell those pre-k books and stuff all the way up.
I'd buy several and then work on them, if I get it wrong I'd re-copy the question on another piece of paper without the answer and keep going until I got it right.
I did that all the way up until I was about 13, and then I got into trying to read a regular clock. Unfortunately it still takes me several minutes and I'm 20 years old now, but I'm a lot better off than most people have ever gone.

In my opinion you should be doing the best you can without medicine, practicing and practicing until you get over it yourself. Discipline in this situation won't do anything but make you miserable, and how is medicine going to teach you 1-10 and the abc's anyway?

Answer 6

To me "cured" means "condition is gone away" and the medication for ADHD/LD only treats the condition so it doesn't go away - without the medication, symptoms resume. Proper education in how to deal with your condition can be an excellent "work around" for the problem, but I reserve the term "cure" for the end of the illness where it never comes back. If medication and appropriate educational techniques are used then the condition becomes less of an issue, and if that's the case then it is the next best thing to a "cure".

Answer 7

Personally I think that ADHD kids should receive a lot of encouragement. I am both a ADHD and dyslexic, and for a longest time been told that I am stupid and will never accomplish anything in life.

But thankfully, mum since young has always been one to encourage me, telling me that at my own time, that I am talented. This built a strong confidence streak and a determination to do well. And today, I have far exceeded expectations, graduating from Uni with 2nd upper honours and landed a job as a management consultant. Everyone has weakness, ADHD just seems to bear the brunt of social criticism as it is perceived as disruptive to classroom teachings. The key is to empower the child to believe, that despite my short comings, how can I believe in myself, and to succeed in life.

Answer 8

I think too many parents think the medication is a quick fix. Discipline must be firm but gentle, not abusive.

I'm ADHD too. However, I think too many people are diagnosed ADHD without taking the environment into consideration. Our whole nation is geared for ADHD. WE watch too much TV, eat too much sugar, drink too much coffee, energy drinks. Play too many video games. See what I mean?

I'd bet you cultures like the Amish don't have even a fourth the ADHD we do. We need to slow down, simplify. We're a quick fix pill popping nation.

Answer 9

Help control? certainly, cure? no, only pure self-control can master that, I used to be something very close to ADD, then I decided that I really didn't want to be that strange, so I decided that I was no longer going to be like that, mind you my brain is practically a separate entity from me, giving me clear control of all concious thought and action. Mind you after I changed and tried to be normal I realised how damned boring it was, so I reverted back and now I'm my crazy old self again :D

Now I might be blowing smoke out my a** on this one, if you have it to a certain extent then you may not be able to control it in which case the drugs are best fer ya if you really want to control it.

And there is such a thing as ADHD, simply, if for no other reason, than because we're talking about it, but that's the philosopher in me coming out, ADD and ADHD are conditions in which one is not capable of controlling thought or control or action fully, they react to impulses, and it can go very bad if it's in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Answer 10

Medications are needed only in extreme cases but those kids need to be given extra care and comfort by their parents. They cannot be given the kind of discipline we ordinarily give to normal children. There are professionals who specialize in this field and are more knowledgeable in dealing with these children. Try to consult with them for more help and coordinate with them to make you understand and deal with ADHD children better.