Friday, January 25, 2008

ADHD: The real meaning

ADHD:

Adventuresome / Determined / Happy / Delightful

That's my boy!!!

Don't let them label or drug your child. Especially your naturally free thinking, free wheeling, fun loving, testosterone filled little boy. It is not normal to take a young child that nature designed this way and plunk him (or her) down at a desk, with certified strangers who waste a majority of his time day after day, in order to force feed him (or her) information that is irrelevant to living a happy, intelligent, and drug free life.

Before you let them label and drug your child read this! Don't believe ADD is a myth? Then read this!

2 comments:

Priscilla Lowery said...

My son was diagnosed with ADHD at age 5, but from infancy we knew that there was something going on. We first implemented a gluten free diet. Then, we went to a special clinic for chelation other diet testing. We tried homeopathy and counseling. My son's high activity levels, inability to even quiet his mouth, & destructive social behaviors began to turn into severe behavioral problems for the family. He locks on to ideas and can't get off. No matter how many times or how many ways expectations are presented he would fail to comply. The stress in my home due to the behavior affected my marriage and relationships with his siblings. It became socially isolating. No one was happy. Being a teacher myself, I decided to home school, but in our case we have had to turn to some medication. We did not want to have to do this, but the results are that he is learning, his siblings are not crying every 15 minutes from his impulsive actions, and there is some peace restored to our home. For the first time, he is able to join in a group play or successfully participate with peers. He likes home schooling and just began martial arts. When I read postings that claim ADHD is a myth I feel very sad. What my son is experiencing has consumed our life and we have spent thousands of dollars seeking help in natural ways for it. It is very real. It was the most painful decision of my life to have to medicate my child and every day I worry and pray for some other solution.

Yes, there are active boys who need outlets and the instruction you talk about and I completely agree, but there are countless families wishing as, I do, that I had a son who just needed that extra freedom, that extra movement. If that were the true solution for my son, then yes, ADHD would be a myth. Sadly, this condition exists. It is painful for the child and the families. Please stop perpetuating the myth that it does not exist.

Sincerely, Priscilla Lowery, Newberg, Oregon.

Mother of 3 boys ages 8, 6, & 3

Anonymous said...

I agree wholeheartedly. We have adopted 4 children, 3 with ADHD and 1 sev handicapped with autism and retardation. I homeschool the 3 adhd kiddos. We have been through the mill in every direction of natural, theraputic, etc, and meds are the only thing that really makes life worth living. You have to live it before you can talk about it. Not to mention the comorbid conditions that go with it with LD, sensory issues, OCD, or whatever happens to be added on. This is not for the faint of heart. ADHD is real--don't guilt trip those of us who are living with kids on this spectrum--it is no cake walk to have kids who can't remember, can't organise, can't learn from thier mistakes, and it goes on and on year after year.