TheRiov wrote:
To clarify: yea my daughter has ADHD. When she was diagnosed we did lots of research on the subject including numerous books on the subject, partially in an effort to avoid medicating her. We tried other steps including diet and sleep changes, etc. food restrictions and other steps. This was several years before I met my wife.
Im sorry people got their panties in a wad about my response but I'm sick of people who have not lived with An ADHD child challenging me on If the diagnosis is "real". Teachers who are not mental health specialists try to argue against the diagnosis Of several mental health professionals piss me off.
Understandable what your stance on the situation is because you have daughter who has been diagnosed, but you can't go assuming that "all" teachers don't have a clue about ADHD. Especially, when you don't know my educational background or my knowledge on the subject. Plus, I don't know abut your state but here we are given a form from the doctor's office with 100 questions to fill out on our observations of the behaviors of that child in the classroom. It would only make sense. Why would any doctor diagnose a kid strictly on office visits not in a classroom setting or school environment. That is just plain stupid. Most doctor's diagnose solely based on those forms. One filled out by me, the guidance conselor, the school pyschologist, and one by the parent. We see the kids more than anyone and are the best people to ask about what our observations of the behaviors are. Having us involved in the process is crucial in the diagnosing process. I already stated my case on why I don't think the kid has it and on top of it I legally can not make educational accomodations for this child without the paperwork from an MD, therefore with no paperwork this kid is like any other "normal" kid in the classroom. Plus, DE and I agree that it is an overdiagnosed problem. I already stated it is overdiagnosed by teachers who can not handle these kids. I can and I don't believe in medication. Your daughter has it based on your observations and testing you have had done for her. This kid, no evidence, no proof. I have been around enough ADHD kids to see severe cases, less severe, and those manigible without medications. Plus those who really do need it. Given the kids who really do need it, they are very few. Like one-two per class a year.