Is it really ADD/ADHD?

There is something that I have been meaning to mention in a blog posting, but haven't gotten around to it.  It's something that I feel quite passionate about.  Well, it's come up a few times this week in various conversations/situations so it's on my mind yet again.

ADD and ADHD.

In our recent past, we have seen this very much over diagnosed and/or misdiagnosed.  It is crucial, for many reasons, to avoid this and to seek out a thorough diagnosis.

As with any diagnosis, it is important to have the correct one.  There are several factors, I believe, in being sure to have an accurate ADD/ADHD diagnosis. 

1)  Look at diet, sleep patterns, as well as environmental influences, stressors, and circumstances.
DIET:  What foods/drinks does your child generally consume? Are they high in sugar, caffiene,
MSG, artificial colors? What you put in will determine what comes out.  I have given the example before of filling your gas tank up with water or mud, and expecting it to run the same as when you fill it with fuel.  People often don't give enough credit to just how much the food we eat/drink influences our body, energy, thinking, memory, physical ability, etc.
SLEEP:  Sleep disturbances/problems can result in similar behaviors including inattention, fatigue or
hyperactivity, low impulse control, stress/mood swings, etc.
STRESS:  Have there been any major changes which could be causing stress? OR Is there anything ongoing
in the child's environment (school, home, etc) that could be causing emotional stress/trauma?

2)  Obtain a diagnosis/assessment through a psychologist/behavioral therapist.  Do not only rely on one source (i.e. solely on a teacher's comment, one visit to the pediatrician, etc).  There are several things involved in making a thorough diagnosis.  There are certain conditions/disorders/symptoms that can look like other conditions/disorders/symptoms.  When looking at the DSM-IV, various conditions/disorders may share similar symptoms.  A proper ADD/ADHD diagnosis should be based on the behavioral symptoms  observed and by ruling out other disorders.


The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that an evaluation for childhood ADD / ADHD include:

• A thorough medical and family history
• A general physical and neurological exam
• A comprehensive interview with the parents, the child, and the child's teacher(s)
• Standardized screening tools for ADD/ADHD
• Observation of the child
• A variety of psychological tests to measure IQ and social and emotional adjustment

For more valuable information on this, visit the American Academy of Pediatrics website.

Jessica