This guy has attention seeking behavior, wanting to fit in, be included. He is also craving a father figure. Father is not present all summer and also busy in the school year. Mother insists on calling him ADD, but I think he's just hurting.
2007-08-23 05:47:43 · 2 answers · asked by apples 3 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
ADHD doesn't do a lot to describe a person's situation. But then again, neither does "emotional disturbance."
Diagnoses aside, it's important to consider each child's social history and environment as well as a variety of other factors. It sounds like you're doing that. Even if he does have a condition diagnosable as ADHD, you are thinking a little more deeply about him and that's what he needs. Any simplification whatsoever is probably somewhat inappropriate.
As a child/adolescent therapist, I can tell you that almost every young boy I see with anger problems, depression problems, PTSD, anxiety or Bipolar, is also diagnosed with ADHD. Personally, I believe it's overdiagnosed, but I think that happens because frustrated parents need to hear a diagnosis that will help them believe "he's not just a shitty kid... he has a problem that he can't help."
So the answer is that ADHD and emotional disturbance are not mutually exclusive.
ADHD is basically inability to pay attention, which may or may not be accompanied by hyperactivity.
Emotional disturbance is simply a problem regulating certain emotions which affects the child's performance and isn't due to a substance, medical condition, or an acute response to an environmental change (like moving to a new school).
2007-08-23 05:57:57 · answer #1 · answered by Buying is Voting 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Neither of you are professional diagnosticians. HE needs to get one. He could be hurting and ADD. And unless mom signs him up for sports or a big brother he won't have any male influence. I'd like to slap his dad.
2007-08-23 19:30:04 · answer #2 · answered by dtwladyhawk 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋