Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder - ADHD

[david51058]

Does it really exist or is it just another label to stick on children to excuse them from bad behaviour? ie They are naughty, end of story.

[squarebear]

I personally believe there's no such thing. It seems a modern phenomenon to blame any anti social behaviour on some kind of syndrome or disorder. Bring back the cane, that should cure it.

[redcrx]

i believe there is such a thing, BUT i also believe that is used by many to excuse the bad behaviour of their children who really just needed to be parented in a different way

[cazzz1975]

I believe it does exist however it is overdiagnosed in my opinion. some children are just naughty.

[ummmm]

I also believe it exists...and I also agree with Red and Cazzz...

[Barmaid]

Yes I agree with the above. I do believe it exists, but is now banded about as a label for children who are naughty or just indisciplined. I have no wish to be a snob, but in my experience this over diagnosis tends to occur at the less priviledged end of society. The sad thing is, those that genuinely do have it are just labled as "naughty" when they could be getting some help.

Prime example was years ago a mother turned up at Court with number 1 son aged about 13 who was in trouble - his excuse was ADHD. She brought with her a whole herd of younger ones (all of whom should have been at school). She came in with a duffle bag which when opened was full of fizzy drinks, sweets and crisps - there were more e numbers in there than most people have had hot dinners. The kids proceeded to run riot in the corridors and she just sat there sighing "well what can you do?". I wanted to scream "stop feeding them crap, get them to school, teach them to show some respect and some manners and discipline them appropriately when necessary, you fat stupid chav cow". Sorry, rant over.

[lilacben]

There is such a thing. My 13 nearly 14 granddaughter is proof. I do agree it isnt all the ADHD and some of it is hormones now as well. But from a baby she never slept much at any time. As a youngster she was really hyper ALL the time, Would sleep only a few hours and then want to get up to play. Her learning at school is not as it should be for her age and she cannot sit down for any time. Watching TV reading a book and even in school . My daughter has other children,non of them are the same. They have always slept and are will controlled. It has taken 12 years to get her diagnosed and she is now on medication. Here in the South West they are very slow in diagnosing it as they say the do not like putting labels on children ..

[Vicasso]

I'm squarely behind squarebear on this. Some of those characters who experienced declining discipline in schools from the 1970s onwards, and who would have benefitted from a short, sharp shocks, have grown into indisciplined parents.

[joko]

yep i agree it exists but is used as an excuse

kids know they are doing wrong - adhd does not make them stupid - so they should know that they will be punished if they continue

a lot of older kids are well educated on this subject, what with the net etc, and use it themselves to get away with stuff

[k8bailey]

I believe it exists but like the others I feel that it is an overused term.
I support young adults with a range of physical, mental and learning dissabilities, in a college. Out of a class of 13 boys all diagnosed with ADHD, in my non-medical opinion, only one of them actually has it, and his could be better managed with diet, physical activity and a more stable home life. As I said though i'm not medically trained thats just my opinion based on observation.

[DTCwordfan]

most apt avatar eddie if you were whacked around the head with a 5ft ruler......

seems to be a consensus with which I also agree......

[society]

I used to think as Squarebear and never believed it existed until I met my nephew. He was also a premature baby and I often wonder if that has any bearings on his behaviour.

[abstibus]

I am certain that ADHD exists, and can empathise deeply with parents whose children have this diagnosis.
However, I agree with some ABers that the term is often used as a badge of convenience for children who are poorly parented, neglected at crucial stages of emotional /physical development, and are desperate for love and attention by any means.
It can also be a means by which the parents abdicate responsibility for their failure to nurture their children, prefering a diagnosis to a remedy.
I was absolutely horrified when I read that Jack Straw said that some children come to school not knowing their own names, are unable to hold a crayon, and had never seen (or was it read?) a book.
Of course they're desperate for attention, and without trying to make unsuitable and possibly offensive judgements, a dog neglected and/or left on its own will usually become destructive and develop behavioural problems.
I rest my case.

[Senter104]

Frankly Im shocked. The fact that it was 'invented' when Eddie went to school is irrelevant. Dyslexia probably wasn't invented either and those kids were simply diagnosed as stupid. My eldest has suffered from ADHD all his life. He is in a loving home with both parents and 3 other siblings. ADHD can manifest itself in many ways. In early childhood it is characterised with disruptive behaviour but as the child gets older, other symptoms appear. My son has real problems with coordination and spacial awareness, he finds social situations difficult to deal with and also struggles with spontaneity. He has tried hard to overcome these issues and goes to a normal school with eveyone else. But his difficulties are real and not the result of just being a naughty kid.