Been told my son may have ADHD, any advice pls?

shazrobo

PolishBigSpender wrote: »

If so, why aren't similar amounts of children in my country diagnosed with ADHD?

Ritalin is a cheap solution to 'keep children quiet' - which is a rather strange view as children should be encouraged to be themselves. Unfortunately, it's a symptom of modern fashionable parenting - a child is treated as a fashion accessory, not a living human being.

I have complete faith that a significant amount of children with ADHD don't actually have it - and instead are simply given the label to excuse poor parenting/stupidity.

not all ADHD children are on ritalin, mine certainly are not. my children are not a fashion accesory and are living human beings and are treated as such, maybe the doctors in your country, are like the ones in ours , only 20 years ago, ADHD was not as widely recognised as it is now, more and more research is being done every year into this disabling condition

Janepig

PolishBigSpender wrote: »

If so, why aren't similar amounts of children in my country diagnosed with ADHD?

Ritalin is a cheap solution to 'keep children quiet' - which is a rather strange view as children should be encouraged to be themselves. Unfortunately, it's a symptom of modern fashionable parenting - a child is treated as a fashion accessory, not a living human being.

I have complete faith that a significant amount of children with ADHD don't actually have it - and instead are simply given the label to excuse poor parenting/stupidity.

Loathed as I am to agree :rolleyes:, and certainly this isn't the case with AM as I know she's an excellent mother to Aston, it is my experience that ADHD is used as a "get out" for parents who can't be @rsed to discipline their children. Many times I've seen children tearing the place down while their parents sit, unmoved going "it's alright, he's got ADHD". This also does a great dis-service to parents of children who have genuinely got ADHD, because people see this and think that such a condition does not exist.

Similar thing with dyslexia - every other person I interview these days has got dylsexia when in fact they either didn't regularly attend school for a variety of reasons, or were let down by the school system. Again, this does a dis-service to those who have dyslexia.

Jxx

shazrobo

i have to agree there are some parents who do not discipline their kids, but i do, and always have been very strict with mine, not letting them run off and cause mayhem, strict routines at home etc,

astonsmummy

PolishBigSpender wrote: »

You should think very carefully before getting your child diagnosed with ADHD. It's a label that will 'stick' to your child for the rest of his life - and be used by teachers and others as an excuse to brand him/her 'stupid' for the rest of his days.

Every child will display ADHD characteristics - it's called being a child. Given that he's not even 5, wouldn't it make sense to wait a couple of years before trying to label him/find excuses for him?

It does seem dreadfully apparent to me that certain types of parents seem more likely to have children diagnosed with ADHD.

You obviously have no Idea.
My child is not going to be labelled stupid even if he does have ADHD, his teachers and SALT have already said he is very bright, intelligent and they do not have any issues with his reading/writing or anything like that.


I'm not trying to find any excuses or labels, i think if you read my OP properly you will see that I dont want my child to be diagnosed with ADHD and am still in denial of it all.

Oh and your last comment, what types of parents are these you talk about?

astonsmummy

Gingham_Ribbon wrote: »

There are several symptoms that have to be seen for at least 6 months before a diagnosis can be made. Some kids can take a while to settle in to school and it can be harmful to 'diagnose' them with things they may not have. However, being able to sit and watch tv or play computer games doesn't rule ADHD out as it's fast paced and constantly changing so there isn't much need for concentration.

I have some ADHD questionaires. If you pm me I can send you a copy to look at.

Hi GR, I'm not sure if it is just a settling into school issue, he has displayed alot of the attention/fidgeting/not listening etc behaviour even when he was at nursery full time(ish) he has also been seen at the child development centre already.
I'm sure he;s fine though.

astonsmummy

Janepig wrote: »

Loathed as I am to agree :rolleyes:, and certainly this isn't the case with AM as I know she's an excellent mother to Aston, it is my experience that ADHD is used as a "get out" for parents who can't be @rsed to discipline their children. Many times I've seen children tearing the place down while their parents sit, unmoved going "it's alright, he's got ADHD". This also does a great dis-service to parents of children who have genuinely got ADHD, because people see this and think that such a condition does not exist.

Similar thing with dyslexia - every other person I interview these days has got dylsexia when in fact they either didn't regularly attend school for a variety of reasons, or were let down by the school system. Again, this does a dis-service to those who have dyslexia.

Jxx

See I'm not one of those, genuinely, I feel like i'm forever telling my son no, or running around after him when we are out, I hate the thought of peoople thinking i dont discipline my child and sometimses i feel i'm actually too hard on him.

elisamoose

I work in as primary school and have experience with ADHD. The protocol here is that the diagnosis cannot be reliably made until a child is 7 or over. Part of the diagnosis process involves questionnaires for teachers to complete and observations by professionals attached to the neuro-developmental service at the Child Health department.

astonsmummy

elisamoose wrote: »

I work in as primary school and have experience with ADHD. The protocol here is that the diagnosis cannot be reliably made until a child is 7 or over. Part of the diagnosis process involves questionnaires for teachers to complete and observations by professionals attached to the neuro-developmental service at the Child Health department.

Thanks for that, i'm going to try and find out what the protocol here is.
I've only gained research online which is obviously not always going to be reliable, but most things I have read have said symptoms are dispayed before age 7
It seems to me that different areas treat this differently, i suppose it's like alot of things really.

elisamoose

astonsmummy wrote: »

Thanks for that, i'm going to try and find out what the protocol here is.
I've only gained research online which is obviously not always going to be reliable, but most things I have read have said symptoms are dispayed before age 7
It seems to me that different areas treat this differently, i suppose it's like alot of things really.

Symptoms can be displayed but until child is a bit older , settled in to school etc , a diagnosis may be wrong.

Janepig

astonsmummy wrote: »

See I'm not one of those, genuinely, I feel like i'm forever telling my son no, or running around after him when we are out, I hate the thought of peoople thinking i dont discipline my child and sometimses i feel i'm actually too hard on him.

And I know it hun. And I know how hard you are on yourself despite the fact that we all know how good a mum you are to Aston - he's a gorgeous little lad. I genuinely didn't mean you at all - it just annoys me when there are parents who couldn't care less and make it so difficult for the good ones like you to be believed. :kisses3:(I was going to put a pervy hug here as a treat but it seems to have gone missing!!!!).

Jxx