Attention Deficit Disorder And Your Child...A True Diagnosis

Did you know that approximately 4% to 6% of the U.S. population has ADHD.

And did you know it is NOT limited to just children. Approximately one-half to two-thirds of the children's population with ADHD will continue to have significant problems as adults, which affects their lives on the job, in their families, and socially.

I'm so happy that was not the case with my son. He is functioning quite well without the medication now and working as a carpenter. He took the required medication for nine years, and had gone through some well-needed counseling along with his Father and myself.

It's a sad fact that the medication used for ADD/ADHD is way over-used these days. In many cases, a lot of children are being prescribed this medication without even being truly diagnosed with the disorder.

Just what is ADD/ADHD?

The term ADD/ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Disorder/Attention Deficit With Hyperactivity Disorder and is a diagnosis given to children and adults who consistently display certain characteristics over a period of time. The most common symptoms include:

Distractibility (poor sustained attention to tasks)

Impulsivity (impaired impulse control and delay of gratification)

Hyperactivity (excessive activity and physical restlessness)

Some problems associated with ADHD are poor performance in school, inconsistency in work, emotional immaturity, and social difficulties.

In order to be properly diagnosed, these symptoms must be excessive, long-term, and pervasive. The characteristics of ADD/ADHD MUST appear before age 7, and continue for at least 6 months or longer. These type of symptoms must cause a significant handicap in at least two areas of a person's life, such as school, home, work, and socially.

The severity of ADD/ADHD symptoms varies with each individual. Approximately one-third of people with ADD do not display the hyperactive or overactive behavior side of the disorder. This is more evident in girls. There are also additional routine tests to be given to rule out any medical causes for the symptoms.

It's a given fact that ADD is NOT the result of poor parenting, family problems...such as divorce, poor teaching skills, food allergies, too much television, or excessive sugar in your child's diet, as some old fashioned parents would like you to believe.

To be properly diagnosed with the disorder, you must make sure that YOU and your child meet with a specialist or a psychologist. Too many parents are taking their children to there own medical physicians to be diagnosed. And sadly too often, these children are given prescriptions for the disorder without being properly diagnosed. We see this all the time. And as these children get older, the more medication they will require. Thus, resulting in being over-medicated.

In some situations, it's the teachers who often diagnose their pupils. And in some bizarre cases parents have been told if they didn't place their child on a psychotropic drug, their child wouldn't be able to attend school. That is quite a bold statement coming from a teacher or principal who is unaware of the child's medical or mental history.

My husband and I made sure our son received the attention of a psychologist before he was diagnosed. He was then given the proper medication. Additionally, as a family...my husband, my son, and I had went through some much-needed counseling. As a result, we all fully understand the disorder and the characteristics that go along with it.

And today...17 years later, as mentioned above, he is medication free and is functioning quite well with everyday life. Not too many adults that were diagnosed with ADD/ADHD as a child are that lucky. A lot of adults have to take the required medication for the rest of their lives.

So...if you suspect Attention Deficit Disorder in your child, it is strongly advised to seek the help and guidance of a well trained psychologist, and not just your medical physician. Many will tell you there is currently no objective diagnostic tool for the disorder, but many studies have proven this wrong.

Isn't it worth it to your child's well being and state of mind to at least check into it and not just take your medical physician's advice?

Article Source: http://www.wahm-articles.com

Article written by: Tammy Embrich Tammy is an Internet Marketer and is the owner of: www.onestopwebemployment.com/ And owner of: www.real-wah-jobs.com/ Tammy's two work at home websites focus on free telecommute job leads and more.

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