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During last July’s 5.8 earthquake, 3-year-old Bronwyn told her 1-year-old sister, “We’re going for a wiggle.” READ MORE

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2008 ADHD Series

Diagnosing ADHD For most parents whose child receives the ADHD diagnosis, the news that their child has the condition does not come as a shock. By Elisabeth Handley Published: February, 2008

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For most parents whose child receives the ADHD diagnosis, the news that their child has the condition does not come as a shock. Most suspected something was wrong, and tried to either deny it or deal with it. Many resisted testing because they didn’t want the ADHD label hung like a noose around the neck of their beloved. “ADHD is not life-and-death,” says Cathy Robinson, whose 10-year-old son, Thomas, has the condition. “But it can really affect (their ability to) keep up and do well. Medicine lets the true child come through, to be the person he is capable of being.” Delaying a diagnosis can negatively affect the child in many ways – ways that are much worse than any perceived stigma. The statistics spell it out: >> Sixty-five percent of children with ADHD struggle with defiance, verbal hostility, tantrums and other problems with authority figures.   >> Twenty-five percent have serious learning problems in areas such as oral expression, listening skills, reading comprehension and math. >> Since the rate of emotional development of children with ADHD is 30% slower than non-ADHD kids, a 16-year-old beginning driver is using the decision-making skills of an 11-year-old.   >> By the teen years, undiagnosed ADHD sufferers tend to self-medicate; clearly these medications are not beneficial. >> Parents of a child with ADHD are 3 times more likely to separate or divorce as parents of children without it. Another compelling reason to have your child tested, if you or a teacher suspect ADHD, are the “co-morbid disorders,” or disorders that tend to go hand-in-hand with ADHD. These are most often anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and other defiance and conduct disorders – none of which will improve if ignored. While early diagnosis is best for the child, don’t be too ready to diagnose those under age 6. The behaviors that are associated with preschoolers, such as the “Terrible 2s,” greatly resemble ADHD and are most often outgrown. Children reach milestones at different ages, which makes it difficult to measure developmental delays until kids reach grade school. To accurately diagnose ADHD, the professional must be able to identify and distinguish behaviors that can be subtle and complicated. The road to an appropriate diagnosis can be rough and rocky, but the ultimate destination is a happy, well-balanced, successful child. –    Elisabeth Handley is a regular contributor to OC Family Magazine.

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