Yes

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by Daisy Peasblossom

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First, just for clarification, there are people with a bonafide attention-deficit/hy peractivity disorder. It is a serious condition in which the person may act impulsively, without prior thought; have difficulty concentrating; and may exhibit inappropriate social behavior. However, there are many conditions that are misdiagnosed as ADHD, including children who have hearing problems, vision problems or a wide variety of allergies or nutrition deficiencies. It might also be noted here, that children diagnosed with ADHD are usually quite intelligent; frequently with excellent imaginations, and sometimes even gifted in some area or other.

Any drug administered to a child has the potential to slow or misdirect natural growth. When I was a day-care worker, we frequently dealt with youngsters who were taken off Ritalin for the summer so that they could grow. Several news articles indicate that some of the drugs used may cause physical damage to the child; some increase likelihood of adult depression. Therefore, placing children on medication for ADHD should be done only in extreme cases, and prescribing said medication should be done by a specialist who is qualified to assess the risks involved.

However, there are children who have been "diagnosed" by parents or teachers who are NOT qualified to make such a decision, and the attending physician prescribes based on lay observations. ADHD is not well understood; if parents do not insist that tests be made of hearing, vision; made for allergies and possible deficiencies, the child has a good chance of being misdiagnosed. The medications given for ADHD may mask other symptoms and prevent or delay correct diagnosis.

For example: For a brief while, I worked as an after-school care teacher. Two of my students were hearing impaired. One had a 75% hearing loss, but could speak. The other had a 93% hearing loss, and communicated only with sign. I was told that the speaking child would interpret for the other one. Needless to say, messages were not properly relayed, and withing 30 minutes, it is hard to say who was the more frustrated-I or the child. The end result was a whing-ding temper tantrum on the part of the child; we sent for his classroom teacher, who learned that the boy who was supposed to be interpreting was deliberately relaying incorrect information.

Do you know what both lads immediately told their teacher? "This lady can't talk." From their point of view, that was exactly correct. Provided with a knowledgeable interpreter, the child who lost his temper calmed down, and was soon playing with some other friends. During his temper tantrum, he exhibited many of the behaviors common to a child with ADHD.

Certain vitamin deficiencies can cause confusion and memory impairment; some individuals are sensitive to preservatives used in candies or preserved foods. A good nutritionist or allergy specialist can run a battery of tests to determine whether a lack of key nutrients or a sensitivity may be the actual cause of the unfortunate behavior.

Lastly, a normal, ordinary child who has not been given appropriate limits or social training may exhibit behaviors similar to ADHD. Presented with a school environment where listening to instruction and responding appropriately is essential, a child who has never been asked to sit still or listen quietly may have a great deal of trouble adjusting to a classroom environment.

Attention-deficit disorders are a very real and debilitating condition. However, they are too frequently mis-diagnosed; children may be being needlessly medicated. Giving a child medicine should be the solution of last resort, not the first effort in combating the problem.

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