In last week’s post we noted that there were many factors that can lead to erroneously hypothesizing that a child has ADHD/ADD. https://shutdownlearner.com/adhd-perhaps/
There were a number of comments posted.
Dr. M., a developmental pediatrician, reminded us to remember an important variable:
“Perhaps the child has an auditory or language processing disorder and therefore doesn’t pay attention to non-meaningful information.”
Kathryn A., a former teacher, stated:
“Great list of possibilities, Dr. Selznick!
As a former teacher, I know that anxiety about anything will present like some ADD symptoms and everyone at some time does something ADD-like. I wasn’t diagnosed until age 52! The real deciding factor, as I learned, was do these symptoms happen everywhere, not just at school, not just at home, but at swimming lessons, Boy Scouts, class trips…does it consistently impact negatively no matter the setting.”
Stanley S., also a former teacher, cautioned to remember effects of fear of embarrassment:
“One of the great obstacles in all of education… for each individual student… is the fear of embarrassment. We are all capable of convincing ourselves… with areas where we are weak… that EVERYONE ELSE “gets it” and we don’t… which will often lead to NOT asking for help, or not asking questions in class. A great challenge to teachers is to try to create a safe environment in their classrooms … so that each child feels “protected” in some way. A teacher I knew, once told a “shy” student that each time she asked a question in class, at least half the class was grateful, since they didn’t understand it either!!”
Adina B., also voiced her frustration with the ADHD diagnosis (***Note she references the Vanderbilt, which is a checklist typically used in pediatric practices.)
“OMG! If I see one more “evaluation” written up in an EMR (i.e., electronic medical record) format of course and conducted by a neurodevelopmental pediatrician (and sometimes by a nurse practitioner) with “results” from the Vanderbilt (because it’s free), I am going to lose it!”
Takeaway Point
Thrilled that the comment section of the website is back in action. (Your comments help to take the pressure off of me for new content!!!! Keep ’em coming!!!
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To Contact Dr. Richard Selznick for advice, consultation or other information, email – rselznick615@gmail.com.
Copyright, Richard Selznick, Ph.D. 2023, www.shutdownlearner.com.