Everyone in a private practice setting who works with children or adults is going to have their own opinion on how Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder - ADD or ADHD - should be diagnosed. Some clinics take the perspective that "more is good," and will recommend a large battery of tests, often costing many thousands of dollars. Other clinics, typically with hurried physicians, will simply give a brief rating scales to the parents and then make a quick diagnosis and prescribe treatment, usually a medication.
Unfortunately neither of these extremes is in the patient's best interest.
Over-diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a big problem. There are some children who are diagnosed as having ADHD that do not have it. It is not uncommon for someone with depression, or anxiety, specific learning disabilities, early onset bi-polar disorder, or Tourette's Syndrome, to be diagnosed as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. This is often the result of a diagnostic "work-up" which is too brief and does not take into account the many reasons why a child might be inattentive, impulsive, or over-active.
But over-diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is not the only problem.
Under-diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is also a problem. This happens most often in the school setting where the school psychologist writes his report perfectly describing an individual with ADHD, then refuses to use the label "Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder" in his report anywhere. 
 
It also often happens in therapist's offices where the therapist is not familiar with the neurological aspects of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and only sees the characteristic behaviors as "acting out behaviors" due to family problems, rebelliousness, and so on. Therapists operating entirely from a "Family Systems" orientation are especially at risk for making this mistake, as I admit I did for my first two years in practice.
Some studies suggest that only one out of three people who have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder will ever get help. Two out of three people who have ADHD will never receive a diagnosis or treatment. They will never really know what it is that's bothered them through their life. So we have two problems. One is the over-diagnosis and the other is the under-diagnosis of Attention Deficit Disorder.
You can learn more about attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, its diagnosis and treatment, at the ADHD Information Library.
Douglas Cowan, Psy.D., is a family therapist who has been working with ADHD children and their families since 1986. He is the clinical director of the ADHD Information Library's family of seven web sites, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, helping over 350,000 parents and teachers learn more about ADHD each year. Dr. Cowan also serves on the Medical Advisory Board of VAXA International of Tampa, FL., is President of the Board of Directors for KAXL 88.3 FM in central California, and is President of NewIdeas.net Incorporated.
experienced cleaning professionals Northbrook ..Non-compliance is the family therapist's big word for your child... Read More
The ADD child exhibits a series of behaviors that are... Read More
From the book Spider's Night on the BoomI've only begun... Read More
IntroductionAs a parent who wants the best for your children,... Read More
It's been raining for a week and the kids and... Read More
Adderall is a stimulant medication used in the treatment of... Read More
Every now and then I'll get a story sent to... Read More
It's a familiar scene: Kids screaming at each other, complaining... Read More
In the last few years, parents started getting more and... Read More
How on earth can you help your family cope with... Read More
There are few thoughts as terrifying as the abduction of... Read More
Is there anything wrong with lying, cheating, stealing, shop-lifting, taking... Read More
Julia Roberts recently gave birth to twins: Hazel and Phinnaeus.... Read More
1. Diapers (5 -7 is a fairly safe supply)2. Wipes3.... Read More
Here is a list of ways to convey the message... Read More
As parents, we want our children and teens to grow... Read More
The last decade has seen heightened interest in and awareness... Read More
Grandparents, what better way to stay close to your grown... Read More
As a mother of two sets of fraternal boy/girl twins,... Read More
Reasearch into children's friendships shows that those children who are... Read More
Do your children have a McChildhood? Do they experience the... Read More
Q. How do we decide what our teens should be... Read More
1. They can make mistakes under your guidance2. They will... Read More
In seminars I am often asked about pocket-money and whether... Read More
Last night Tom's daughter, Sue, came out of her room... Read More
best value cleaning service Northbrook ..Do your children have a McChildhood? Do they experience the... Read More
Spending quality time with your children doesn't need to cost... Read More
My son recently had his third birthday party and it... Read More
Winifred or Willow? Thomas or Troy? The name you choose... Read More
Many people still think that the game of chess is... Read More
John Bishop's Goal Setting for Students.comLegacy to Your ChildrenIt's 6:30... Read More
Few things are more completely enjoyable than becoming a grandparent.... Read More
Here's a scene: A parent "might suddenly grab a happliy... Read More
Researchers have estimated that 25-35% of children in the United... Read More
Article based on a friend's experienceI just wanted to share... Read More
Until the moment I became a mother, I couldn't quite... Read More
1. Create... Read More
Being in a competitive world, the lowest qualification to secure... Read More
School authorities often complain that classes are too large. They... Read More
Becoming a stepmother can undoubtedly be one of the most... Read More
In theory, working at home is an ideal situation. But... Read More
Elana, born in Russia, was told "We really don't know... Read More
To every thing there is a season, and a time... Read More
An apology is a sign of strength, not weakness. Sometimes... Read More
As a hypnotherapist, I am acutely aware of the power... Read More
When it comes to the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity... Read More
Though you can cover even very long distances by car... Read More
1. Diapers (5 -7 is a fairly safe supply)2. Wipes3.... Read More
Arabella Greatorex, owner of The Natural Nursery, reports on the... Read More
There are times when my ideas of raising a child... Read More
| Parenting |