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ADD/ADHDFeb 16 '03 Write an essay on this topic.
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The Bottom Line Education of parents, teachers and Child Care Providers is vital is assisting the ADD/ADHD child.
Like many of you we’ve all seen the pros and cons regarding ADD/ADHD, treatment, medication or if it even exists. I am the mother of 3. One child with ADD (14) and one with ADHD (6). Do I believe it is a disorder? You bet I do. Do I believe all children with these disorders need medication? No, absolutely not. There is more to ADHD then hyperactivity and inability to pay attention in class. Many of these children are unable to transition easily, complete projects or even socialize “properly”. In the past 13 years I have read novels on ADHD. I still don’t know it all no matter how much I would like to think I do. Most of my knowledge comes from learning the hard way. You would think with all the media ADD/ADHD get everyone would be up on the latest and greatest. Wrong… I still have doctors and nurses tell me that ADHD is not real. It’s just a discipline problem, right? All of you parents that have heard this comment know how tempting it is to drop your undedicated child off at their house for a day (or even a couple of hours) to show them how unreal ADHD is. I’ve earned every gray hair on my head thanks to my wonderful children! My problems arise from a school system that has labeled my 6 year old as a problem child. Unable to focus, upset easily when transitioning, and just not playing well with other children. When I started asking the teachers how much training, they had been given on ADHD the average response was over 15 years ago. I thought it was time I requested our teachers receive some training. At our school, the teachers were not even aware that ADHD medications acted as an appetite suppressant. My child was not eating lunch or snack at school then wouldn’t eat a snack at his after school camp. What I ended up with was a child who was literally starving himself. He was displaying all the signs of a diabetic that had not eaten. Our problems worsened with a doctor that only half listen to us. His solution is more meds… Sorry, not with my child. After may hissy fits with the school (almost 2 years worth), and confronting the doctor and the school counselors, they are finally working with us. Teaching strategies are being modified to include time for transitions, eye contact so he knows he’s being spoken to. The school nurse is monitoring his lunch. Closer monitoring on the playground (he has managed to escape from Head Start, Child Development Center several times, all before the age of 5). And my favorite DON’T RESTRAIN MY CHILD WHEN HE IS UPSET, this leads to defensive behavior, which will escalate to the point of suspension. Yes, at 6 has been suspended already. As for the doctor, we are limited in the area I live in but he is working with us now and we will be moving soon. Hopefully to a more knowledgable teaching staff and medical staff. I read one opinion by angelmomt that knew of someone receiving SSI for their ADHD child. I could never imagining doing this. In my opinion that is ludicrous. Schools are labeling children all too often and pushing parents into putting their children on medication. Yes, many children do need medication to help them survive a school day but a good proportion just need some changes in discipline and/or teaching strategy. That is not meant to say anyone is a bad parent, just some children need to be dealt with differently.  |
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