ADD and ADHD are very real disorders. There is a great deal of brain research, which explains the physiological difference between people with ADD or ADHD and those without. This is not to say, however, that it is not over diagnosed by eager physicians. Although that may be the case, it doesn’t change the reality for the people who deal with this day to day struggle.

Danny is right in saying there are many high achieving students in the public school system who simply get bored. I would argue, though, that these are not the kids being given an ADD or ADHD diagnoses anymore. I believe this once was the case, but through research we better understand these conditions. Responsible physicians have options to run a wide array of tests, and no longer base the diagnosis of these conditions to outward systems or questionnaires.

I would also argue the point that educators are part of the problem surrounding the over diagnoses of these conditions. It has been my experience, at least in the area I live, educators are moving toward natural treatments of attention disorders. Like Cherry mentioned, there are changes which can be made in the diet, breathing and focus exercises, and routine patterns that can help the majority of people with ADD or ADHD thrive. Only in extreme cases is medication needed to function. Just as there are varying degrees of CAH, you will find a spectrum of people with attention disorders. If you have ever had long term experience with someone with an extreme attention disorder, I don’t think you could argue that medicine is needed in some cases. Professional educators who have spoke publicly about attention disorders claim it is just as hard to educate a student who is unnecessarily drugged as it is to teach a hyper child. In other words, teachers want their students to be in the best state of mind for learning. If an ADD or ADHD child can achieve that by natural methods, it would be preferred. Now, with that being said, meeting the needs of the high achieving student is still a real issue in public school, but I believe it is a separate issue.    

Bottom line, if you or your child are dealing with an attention disorder it is a very real thing. It should be treated in order to reach one’s full potential. The degree of the disorder should determine the treatment. Most cases do not warrant drugs. Simply using techniques and exercises to focus your energy, such as Danny mentioned throughout his posts, is also a form of treatment.

You have to remember CAH was once an unrecognized condition; did it make it any less real?

God Bless,

Katrina