ADD is not a cop out, using it as an excuse it. If you had said "I have been diagnosed with adult ADD and consequently I deserve special treatment" that would be a cop out.

 

MuchToMyDelight,

That is what I was getting at but I got long winded.

 

That sounds much better. Using ANY disability as a crutch is plain BS. I was referring to the people who believe that ADD is not real. It is real. I have never used this as a crutch. For a while I didn't even admit that I had a problem, and it wasn't me that noticed it in the first place, it was my wife. I worked very hard to get to where I am today, hard work is what I am used to. I don't know if I could just take it easy. As for my "ailment", my only goal is to get rid of it. I didn't ask for it, and I don't want it. I hate to take medicine of any kind, but I do because I NEED to, not because I want to. For you non-believers, the medicines do help tremendously, IF you actually have the ailment that they are designed to treat.

I apologize for the outburst, but some of the posts struck a nerve.

 

I got a little worked up myself there. It is just frustrating to see students with real potential not work to their fullest because of a medical condition. I understand that everyone has limitations but when I see a student that flat out refuses to do an assignment and says they don’t have to because of their condition, it is upsetting. When the students don’t do their work, it’s the teachers fault.

There is a difference between those who can’t and those who won’t. Those who won’t are the ones that upset me.

 

Bottom Line. ADD/ADHD exists but it can't be to the extent that these doctors are thinking. Children are having a hard time learning in school. So what do they do? Call em ADD and give ridulin to them. Did ever occur to these people that these kids might just be BORED out of there heads? I know there are tons of teachers out there who don't know how to teach and make it interesting. These psychs are lining there own pockets and screwing with kids heads.

I dont care. My kids will never be medicated like that!

 

Phat02, I don't think that anyone here was trying to bash people with disorders. I think that we don't need to medicate every person who doesn't fit the "normal" mold, whatever that is. As you pointed out, you are very smart, successful, etc. Truth is, that description fits most ADD type people if they aren't given slack for their condition and taught that you can't possibly know how to behave, do your work, etc because of your conditon. I had two roomates who could have been diagnosed as ADD/ADHD and they are geniuses (genii?). They could pass college exams with only one hour of studying. Their "ailment" seemed like an asset, but perhaps there are other issues that make it not so.

Cheese4420, I got my information from a guy I work with whose mother would go and round up federal funding for people with "disabilities" or "disorders". I have also read about that several years ago, but I don't have those references at my fingertips. If I find them, I will let you know.

 

Mikeman, I was just wondering because any time a student is labeled, classified, or denoted as having a disability the school system has to start a tracking file on them. Federal law mandates the Least Restrictive Environment, which is often not properly classified, for students with disabilities. Before a student can be placed in any other situation aside from the regular classroom, there needs to be expert review of their condition. Also, a meeting between the guardians of the student and a panel of experts supplied by the school must take place. The student to teacher ratio in a special needs classroom is much lower than a regular classroom. Also, there are typically special equipment requirements for students with disabilities.

Bottom line is that a student that is in a special education program of any type is costing the district more money than a student who is not. The district will often times receive additional financial resources from the state or federal government because of the increased cost per student. Because they cost more does not mean they do not have the same right to be educated. Thankfully, several federal mandates have been passed to help ensure the fair and proper treatment of students with disabilities.

I’m not trying to flame you on this, it’s just a topic that someone can catch a snippet of and run with it in the wrong direction.

 

Mikeman-

Thanks, I agree with you. Sometimes this condition is a blessing. Like your friends, I could study for a very short period and pass tests, sometimes not at all, just retaining the lecture. The main problem with this disorder is that I would hyper-focus on things that interest me, which would cause me to ignore other things around me, but no matter how hard I try, I could not focus long on things that did not interest me.

Some of you have mentioned the drugs to treat this. Ridalin is the most common, but IMO is a waste of time. I hear that it does work, but only for 3 hours at a time. What's the point? In my case, in a 12 hour shift that's alot of pills and alot of peaks and valleys. I use Adderall, which is a minimum 12 hour time release. Many people misunderstand how these drugs work. They do not make you feel drugged or sedated (if abused they could). They are actually a CNS stimulant, yes that's right, a stimulant.

Let me clear things up. I FIRMLY believe that some children who are dignosed with ADHD simply have behavior problems, which is the parents fault. ADD on the other hand is different. These kids just have trouble focusing, which is most likely because they are bored, some teachers don't stimulate their mind. Most people with ADD have a very high IQ, so if your child is diagnosed with ADD, don't be ashamed, it may be because they are very smart. Get them some help. I wish that I known years ago, it would have made some things much easier for me.

 

MY OPINION: Several years of exposure to supervisory, disiplinary and dietary/nutritional neglect has put children in the middle of a lazy man's crapshoot.

TO LABEL WILL DISABLE... then the drug manufacturers and their partners the Phychologists can team up with the lackluster School System of our day to master the art of prostituting Taxpayers' funds while padding their pockets.

BTW - When these innocent children reach adolescent years with liver and kidney issues conducive to drugs administered for misdiagnosed symptoms, who will answer to that future dilemna and pay for its treatment?

Politely I use these quotes:

"It is just frustrating to see students with real potential not work to their fullest because of a medical condition." --- MedicallyINDUCED perhaps!
"ADD/ADHD exists but it can't be to the extent that these doctors are thinking." --- This IS a fact.
"Call em ADD and give ridulin to them." --- Ahhh... the easy way out! Money making too!

I have seen too many families fall prey to this money making scheme. And many leave it after doing a little personal research! Problem is... the indirect damages (drugs and labeling) have been done. These kids are now labeled for life!

In closing...

Yes, ADD/ADHD is real and... often misdiagnosed.

I feel we have not evolved as much as "eroded" as a society and have become quite complacent in dealing with tomorrow's leaders (our children). "Gotta have it now", and "keep up with the Jones" has driven us away from balanced lifesyles and sound fundamentals which historically supported our Nation's unique success story ... the family.

Ever heard these?

Lead up your children, and they will go their way. --- Supervision
An apple a day, keeps the doctor away. --- Nutrition
Spare the rod, spoil the child. --- Discipline

Hmmmm.

Please - Love em first, they deserve the best we can offer second. Your parents probably did this for you.

P.S. A GOOD READ --- http://www.thomasarmstrong.com

 

I've spent a lot of years reaching a point in life where I could indulge myself in ignoring things that don't interest me.

What is the private group medical insurance general policy on treatment? Government agencies?

 

Man, that discribes me PERFECTLY! I would be looking something up in a book, and never get to it becuse in the midst of my searching, I would find something that intrested me, and I would go off on that tangent and not get anything done. This happened everyday for sure, and I NEVER done ANY homework, but still managed to pass all of my classes due to 97+ grades on tests and quizzes. Heck, I made a 1340 (validictorian got a 1270) on my SAT. I dont think it causes enough of a problem for me to be concerned about, but hey, once I start school again (january), if it presents a problem, what do I do? I am not fond at all of the idea of medication, but what are some alternitives?

 

Muchtomydelight-

My doctor (I've never been to a shrink, by the way) gave me a written test for ADD. You can find the same tests online. Try one, see what the results say. You can't tell by looking at someone that they have ADD. There is no way for someone to BS these tests, if you really have it the test will show it. If you are trying to BS the test for a "cop out", they will show that too. If you really have ADD, the meds help tremendously. I hate to take meds, but it works, so I'm glad to. Do some research before you talk to a doctor, go in with a good understanding of what's wrong so you can fix it, instead of letting the doc experiment.

Word of caution-

The doc may neglect to tell you this. Some of the meds for ADD are pure amphetamines. If you have to take random drugs tests, you need to let someone know that you are taking these drugs. Positive test results are much more difficult to explain after the fact.

 

I might look up one of those tests, but it isnt a problem right now. Your condition sounds perfectly legit, and I got to thinkin that I am JUST LIKE what you discribed. My mom says that I just wasnt challenged (didnt keep her from being mad at me). Hmm... I cant sit still either. I think I will look up one of those tests, but I am really against the meds. I wouldnt want to go to the doctor just to write me off as another hyper kid and perscribe the ridilin or whatever. Guess I could just talk to the doc. Ill take a test and report my findings.

 

ADD Combined Type May be possible
ADD Inattentive Type Not Probable
Cingulate System Hyperactivity Not Probable
Limbic System Hyperactivity Not Probable
Basal Ganglia Hyperactivity May be possible
Temporal Lobe System Not Probable

http://www.amenclinic.com/ac/addtests/adult.asp
It said that according to the first test,I may have adult ADD, and according to the second test, the above results. Most of it was about the fidgiting and bad orginization, and bad handwriting, and procrastonation., all of which are BIG problems I have. Ill look into this more.

 

I just want to clear up one thing, I don't think I mentioned it before. I have never been the "can't sit still" type. I have never been hyper, or a troublemaker (except for the normal boys will be boys dumb stuff). I have always been one of the most laid-back people you could meet, too laid back most times. Just wanted to mention that because most people think of a crazy-eyed, hyper-active, troublemaker when they think of ADD. If you met me you would never know.