For a teacher to suggest that a child has ADHD is "inappropriate and dangerous," says Dr. Elizabeth Roberts, child psychiatrist in Murrieta, California. Depression, anxiety and abuse are all possibilities in a child's life that could lead to attention problems, Roberts said. That means that many children are receiving medication for the wrong problem.
(CNN) -- As a toddler, Ian Barrier got expelled from day care.
"They just said that he was all over the place, he couldn't handle the structure, they didn't have the staff or the skills to deal with it," said his mother, Amy Barr. "They said, 'We think he has ADD or ADHD' and I'm like, 'What is that?"
Ian, now 11, and his 9-year-old brother Aidan are just two examples of some 5 million children in the United States who have received the diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a condition marked by impulsive behavior and a lack of focus.
But although this is a medical condition with medical treatments available, often doctors aren't the ones suggesting a diagnosis. Roberts wants to say to all educators: "There are many, many diagnoses that cause these problems, including abuse and depression and anxiety. So please, withhold your judgment."
In Barr's case, having gotten her kids tested for ADHD even before school, the educational system has been supportive. But the question of medication has plagued her, with years of trying different combinations of drugs -- sometimes four or five at a time.
Despite medication, Ian pulled the fire alarm at his fourth day care center, dispatching the same fire department that would get him out of a tree at age 9, Barr said. And both brothers have spent time in a psychiatric ward at a children's hospital; for the younger one, it may have been because of overmedication, Barr said.
All too often, parents come to pediatrician Dr. Claudia Gold's office asking for a prescription for ADHD, based on a recommendation from school. "Medication is quick and easy but it's not the answer alone for working with kids who have ADHD."
Experts agree that ADHD does exist as a real disorder, and that some children really do benefit from medication.But it's not the teacher's place to make diagnoses, or to recommend medication, Gold said.
When she consults with parents alone, however, she's likely to hear stories of trauma: a death in the family, an abusive relationship, and other life experiences that the teacher knew nothing about...
Sista Lee... good parenting..... My oldest is an adult... when he was young one of his teachers asked me if he was always so hyper and if he was like this at home.... I took him to his pediatrician and asked was there something I could do to calm him down....
His prescription was.... let him tire himself out... He's a child.... children have energy.. once you start medicating him... the suppression could trigger something else off....
I talk to parents about this all the time... I ask them if they really know what there child was taking.... and that alot of these perscription medications for hyper active symptoms are on the trial/testing stages... they have not been FDA approved and if it has... it has not been actively proven effective for children...
I hope parents really check out concerns and ask questions.... Good for you!!
Saturday, August 14th 2010 at 10:12PM
Cynthia Merrill Artis
Jen... have you read that Adults are now being diagnosed with ADD and ADHD!! Girl.. what's next...
Saturday, August 14th 2010 at 10:14PM
Cynthia Merrill Artis
@ Sister Shequita
[I guess because I look like a young mother they think I am ignorant.]
I hear you. I got the same thing and my son's just in Kindergarten. I joined the PTA to make myself more visible. You know~~ throw my weight around a little. My son's teacher saw me at one of the meetings. Good and that's what I wanted ~~ to be seen. Ha!
@ Sister Cynthia
Yes girl. I know this parent that I met ~~ I diagnoses her and her son with ADHD. Ha! I posted an article, but I guess it was only on the Black women connect site about parents w/ ADHD. When you get a minute ~~ take a look.
Saturday, August 14th 2010 at 11:33PM
Jen Fad
I will.... and you are correct... when teachers see parents ... it sounds an alarm... and it makes it so much better for your child... When teachers see parents involvement... they tend to put forth an extra effort with the child. Also, when time permits... when you drop your son off to his classroom hang around for awhile... or if you pick him up... go early sit around and observe his teacher and his classroom... environment...
Deshonne will be in the 4th grade this year... He's excited because he's calling himself a big kid now..
Sunday, August 15th 2010 at 3:58AM
Cynthia Merrill Artis
It helps when children are scheduled at home. Not getting enough sleep can also cause children to be more active. However, Children are suppose to be active What is wrong with these people. Many times, the child is bored. Teachers need to be interesting.
Sunday, August 15th 2010 at 10:30AM
Thomasena Martin-Johnson
@ Sister Cynthia, Yes and I saw that the teacher's attitude changed towards me from thinking I'm some small girl to showing me real respect. She even hugged me on the last day of school.
@ Sister Thomasena, Yes you are right ~~ schedules are important. When my son starts to challenge the schedule, I ask him what do we do at this time because he knows the "drill".
I believe this medication is given so openly and for so many different REASONS until it may soon be called a 110 % cancer cure and a live for ever medication! (NUP)
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA
Children like adults can get BORED.but unlike adults children this age do not have "intent" therefore they have no idea they are doing something wrong as many of them are just trying to entertain themselves with an activity more interesting to them. lol (smile)
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA
