* ADHD in Children *?

Question

Do you believe that Some children are labeled as ADHD because they don't get enough exercise because most parents these days are afraid to let them go out side alone with friends to just play all day. So instead they turn to video games and or the computer for fun.

I do believe that Some children really have ADHD but I have heard that now 1-5 children have it.

I look around and see that there is never or if little children out playing anymore.
When I was younger the streets and parks were filled with kids and now I take my son out and there is NO-ONE out playing.
It's kinda sad, But again I was just thinking maby children should just get out more and then maby the numbers for ADHD will go down.

What do you think?

Answer 1

When I was young- I ran the streets- but it's a different world- I grew up in the city and when I was young- every street had tons of kids- yet now it's all yuppies and old people.

More Kids live in the subburbs- and there are no other kids within easy walking distant- ontop of it all- there seems to be more and more pedophiles out there every day.

I agree wtih yo on the cuse, but I don't know what the best solution would be nowadays. -though I do think 80%+ of ADHA cases are bunk.

Answer 2

Yes Children do need to get out into the fresh air and exercise! No there would not be less people with ADHD if more children exercised. Exercise helps to positively stimulate some kids with ADHD, it can also help with their social skills if in well structured team environments. The key is structure, management of the ADHD child and others around them. helping them to identify the warning signs that lead them to become a problem to others. Exercise can use the excess energy whilst being a fun way to teach the ADHD child how to manage some of their difficulties.

The other thing is that a number of ADHD children find movement helps them to concentrate better. The ADHD is there, but it is being managed. If you know of a child who is properly diagnosed with ADHD, once the child is sitting in class no amount of exercise before and after will stop them getting distracted. Other management tools are required for that.

The reason why more children are being diagnosed is not because there are more being born, but because doctors are becoming more aware of it and in most cases, are better at diagnosing. But as there are still kids being misdiagnosed you really need to reasearch who diagnoses the child. In Australia your best options are Developmental paediatricians and Psychaitrists SPECIALISING in that area. Don't just go for any psychaitrist, even though they are qualified, they are not always up to date or even interested enough to accurately diagnose. Try getting reccomendations from as many people as possible and RESEARCH!!!

Steer clear of psychologists because they do not study things like anatomy (correct me if I'm wrong on this one, it might not be anatomy, but it is one subject in particular that does make the difference between their qualifications and that of a psychaitrist in terms of ADHD). Also in Australia they are not qualified to manage all aspects of treatment, so you will need to see another professional anyway. It is better to have one person understand and manage it all.

Answer 3

When I was a kid, I'd never even heard of ADD or ADHD, and neither had my parents, or any of their friends, who were raising young families. All the kids daydreamed in class, or were fidgety at some point; it was just part of being a kid! Now, it seems, more and more kids are diagnosed with these diseases and put on medication to calm them down. I think some kids may have a real psychological disorder, but I think the largest majority just need to be allowed to run, and play and expend some of their youthful energy!

Answer 4

ADHD is attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, not to be confused with ADD attention deficit disorder. ADHD is when kids can't stop moving around showing compulsive behavior at times, and ADD is when kids just can't focus on a single task; their minds wander and skip like a scratched cd. I agree that kids these days are babysat by tv and computer/video games and that ADHD is most likely mislabeled for kids with pent up energy to burn. However, in our educational system, kids are being labeled left and right to avoid special education because of "lack of funding" and are simply dumped into reg. ed. classes and labeled "slow learners" and will receive no services because of it. Gotta love "inclusion" and No Child Left Behind--thanks a lot, Pres. Bush. Will he teach ALL of our kids to read fluently by 2014? I think not. Sorry for the rant. This is a big issue with teachers.

Answer 5

I don't think being inside makes children have ADHD. I think that makes them fat. I think people say our children have ADHD, because they don't know how to handle their children. It's an easy way out for them. It's messed up, if they spent time with their children then maybe they would really know what's bothering them. They might act up, and parents do not know how to react. So to them, the children have ADHD, or some other disease. Most children that are on ADHD meds do not have to be. Turns out that ADHD medicine stunts human growth. I don't understand as much as you do. People shouldn't have kids until they are ready. Use protection, or don't do it at all.

Answer 6

I believe a lot of children who have been labeled as ADHD have even more problems. There is Juvenile Bipolar. They have the same symptoms as ADHD. The two are so similar it is very hard to diagnose. It is also very hard to find a Mental Health Doctor who can properly diagnose it.

Answer 7

I am with you on that. My daughter is very hyper, and i just joke and say she gets it from me(i have ADD). But then i notice, when i change what she is eating and drinking (less sugar) she her energy level is stable. Its a bit common sense ..yea. But even if my daughter was diagnosed with ADHD, i would be afraid to put her on meds, it would just seem unhealthier.
Far as children being out...maybe its just my paranoia, but with all that is going on with children missing, or the safety of the child in public, could be parents afraid to let their child out or out of thier sight. Or like you said..its the video games and all the tech that is coming out, the outside world is numb to them.

Answer 8

I agree completely. Children don't get enough physical activity these days. (Although, I love how they're marketing the Nintendo Wii to help with that. Maybe it's an indoor alternative to going outside to play.) I know my parents always used to tell me to go ride my bike, etc., so I don't understand parents who tell their kids to go watch TV, etc.

Parents these days seem to forget that children are high-energy. It's sad, but true.

But yes, if children got out more, I think we would have less of them diagnosed with ADHD.

Answer 9

My daughters kindergarted teacher is extremly quick to sell your kid up the river to get them labled ADHD or ADD. Alot of times the child doesn't even have the condition. it seems that if the child isn't a zombie and does what they say they are quick to blow the whistle.

We really need to sit back and look who is actually doing the diagnosis.

Of course there are times that the video games and tv aren't helping matters.