Just a quick update. I will not be posting any new blog posts for a few weeks while my site gets a makeover. I have hired the awesome design ninjas over at thesisorange.

The reason is because my site is jacked up, the comments don’t work all the time and I have several other problems. The more I tinker with the wordpress installation the more I break it. I am good at that. Very good. Too good, in fact. Breaking things, that is.

But I gave it the old “I am going to try fixing it until it is so broken that I must hire someone to fix it!” try.

So for a few weeks (I think) no new blog posts, but all is not lost. I am posting over at our ADHD Social Network, so if your interested in checking out any latest posts from me that’s where they will be. As a matter of fact — they are right here at this link highlighted in blue.

I’ll let you know when my blog is fixed. And I think the new design is going to be out of this world awesome! The guys over at Thesis Orange are very good at what they do.

I think this little guy got into my blog and pulled some wires out or something:

   Send article as PDF   

Controlled trial results with the potential answer in this post.
.
One of the things I have come to enjoy from blogging is reporting some of the latest studies about ADHD. It’s a lot of fun and sometimes we talk about things like Coffee isn’t so bad and how to make popcorn in a paper bag, but then there are other things we find out that we weren’t really sure about and CBT is one of those things. Does it work? In my opinion and experience: YES. But don’t take my word for it alone, I’ll give you the results of the trial in a moment.
.
In my first book One Boy’s Struggle I wrote about my experiences with therapy and I gave an overview in my free eBook 7 Crucial Tips for Parents and Teachers of Children with ADHD. In short, my experiences have been profound and exceedingly successful. If you have any idea of how far I have come then you may have an idea of how profound and successful the treatment really was, and continues to be. Furthermore, I do not take medication.
.
But there’s is an issue with CBT and that is perception of it and our need to fix our behaviors right away, today! Medication helps solve that problem for a lot of people, and although medication can be a wonderful solution, it just doesn’t teach us any management skills or anything about ourselves. Most people with ADHD have a lot of pent up thoughts and beliefs and those can be very powerful to the point of controlling their lives; therefore, even with the best, most effective medication the adult with ADHD might still not find the success he or she was hoping for. That doesn’t knock medication; it simply means there may be more to one’s situation with ADHD than the symptoms alone. And even more so the later diagnosis is finally established.
.
Too many of us have come to believe that we cannot and will not improve or succeed. And since we have ADHD, we never will accomplish our goals and our dreams. Many of us come to curse ADHD and live within a shell of anger, anxiety and despair, never realizing the real curse is in our thoughts and beliefs. That’s where therapy is most effective. Because no matter how great the medication works, it doesn’t help the things you believe or the way you perceive things. So many of us have distorted perceptions of what we really can and cannot do because we’ve been looking through the ADHD failure lens all of our lives, trying so hard to measure up to others expectations of us and after years of constantly failing it is almost impossible to see any positives, much less a way out of the darkness.
.
If you relate to what I have written please read One Boy’s Struggle to truly understand how therapy improved my life radically. Prior to therapy I never believed I could write a book or much less manage to maintain a blog. However, you don’t have to purchase One Boy’s Struggle to get a good overview of my experience, please feel free to download 7 Crucial Tips for Parents and Teachers of Children with ADHD. The section about professional therapy is written mainly for adults with ADHD because, as we now know, many parents of children with ADHD also have it themselves.
.
Now how about that info concerning the recent trail:
.
A Randomized Controlled Trial of CBT Therapy for Adults with ADHD with and without Medication

Previous studies of psychological treatment in adults with ADHD have not controlled for medication status and include either medicated participants or mixed samples of medicated and unmedicated participants. The objective of this study is to examine whether use of medication improves outcome of therapy.
.
Method: This was a secondary analysis comparing 23 participants randomized to CBT and Dectroamphetamine vs. 25 participants randomized to CBT and placebo. Both patients and investigators were blind to treatment assignment. Two co-primary outcomes were used: ADHD symptoms on the ADHD-RS-Inv completed by the investigator and improvement in functioning as reported by the patient on the Sheehan Disability Scale.
.
Results: Both groups showed robust improvement in both symptoms and functioning, but the use of medication did not significantly improve outcome over and above use of CBT and placebo.
.
Conclusion: This study replicates previous work demonstrating that CBT is an effective treatment for ADHD in adults. Within the limits of this pilot, secondary analysis we were not able to demonstrate that medication significantly augments the outcome of CBT therapy for adults with ADHD.
.
The study was funded by GlaxoSmithKline, Clinical Trials Registry #GSK707. Author: Margaret Weiss, Candice Murray, Michael Wasdell, Brian Greenfield, Lauren Giles, Lily Hechtman. Credits/Source: BMC Psychiatry 2012, 12:30

I will say this from my experience: Not all therapists are created equal. I went to 4 therapists before finding one I felt comfortable with (and one kind of freaked me out). If you’ve tried therapy and it didn’t help you, perhaps consider finding another therapist who is more of a match for you. Keep in mind that just as with medication one size treatment does not fit all as a recent study discovered (I thought we already knew that?). And hey, who knows, with the increasing amount of diagnosis ADHD might be becoming the new normal. (Watch out world – we are taking over!)

   Send article as PDF   

Have you been keeping up with all of the recent studies and reports concerning ADD / ADHD?
.
What – you haven’t? Is it because you do not have an easy way to keep track of them? If so, I have good news for you. I have an ADHD radar. It alerts me to special news about ADHD. Do you want one? You’ll have to sign a special waiver, of course. After the waiver there will be tests. If you pass those tests there will be more tests after that, but I am not that kind of guy. I cheat.
.
For you (only you), I have a special deal =

The secret to how I cheat:

1. Go to Google News.
2. Once you get there type ADHD in the search field, then click the search button.
3. After you’ve done that you will see a list of the latest news about ADHD. Scroll all the way to the bottom of the page, then you will see a link Create an email alert for adhd <- I’ve made it even easier for you, just click that link because if you start scrolling down the search page you’ll notice sparkly headlines that will distract you and your alerts may never get set up.
4. Enter your email address and like magic you will start receiving all the latest news about ADHD.

Brilliant! Right? I thought so, too.
.
Here’s the kind of news you might discover:
.
ADHD is OVER-diagnosed (Really? This may be the most OVER-reported type of report.) ADHD awareness keeps rising and as awareness continues to rise there will be more children and adults diagnosed with ADHD. (No way! Too logical.) Just because the majority of society doesn’t like the “idea” of ADHD and more people have it than they’d prefer, doesn’t mean it is over-diagnosed. It might mean people who haven’t received help in the past are finally getting some help. Are some people misdiagnosed? Almost certainly, but when I read specifically that so and so many more people are diagnosed today than 10 or 20 years ago that doesn’t mean the diagnoses are all invalid. (Btw “Diagnoses” has a funny sound it to it. Say it out loud. It’s even funnier if other people are in the room with you. Not just the word, they will want to know why you are talking to yourself. Do it anyway: “D-I-A-G-N-O-S-E-S” I know, immature, but fun!) If I remember correctly I was diagnosed as a child as not caring enough about school. I think a lot of kids were over-diagnosed with that problem.
.
Immaturity misdiagnosed as ADHD. Oh! We’re so busted! I knew it. I am simply immature. Basically there’s a report that says that the youngest children in the classroom are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD. This may be true. But what I read between the lines is: People with ADHD are immature. So all we have to do is mature. Problem solved. Thanks. (Btw I was held back for first grade and it didn’t solve the problem.) Next.
.
People with ADHD can’t cross the street or drive a car. Okay, I’m confused because if this is as true as it sounds then the ADHD problem would already be solved. We’d all be in hospitals or in coffins. I mean, really? Now I am a bit worried. I’ve been driving for over 20 years and to this day I have not been hit while crossing the street, nor have I hit anyone crossing the street! I must be doing something wrong. It’s just like someone with ADHD not to do what he’s supposed to (I hate when I miss out on the action). Speaking of which I was at a crosswalk the other day and at the very moment cars slowed down as the lights were turning everyone at that crosswalk rushed across and the light hadn’t even changed yet. I wanted to shout out “You all have ADHD!” In reality I think everyone is just in too much of a rush nowadays to wait on a crosswalk light. (If ADHD were to be diagnosed based on crosswalk behavior then yes, it would be way over-diagnosed.)
.
There you have it, the way to get all of the ADHD studies and reports in the news to be concerned about. All kidding aside, Google notifications are a great way to stay up to date on just about any subject you are interested in. (Go ahead, no one will know if you set up an alert for underwater Easter-basket weaving. I did. But, of course, it is not for me.)
.
The light’s green. I have to go (carefully).

   Send article as PDF   

Oh my. Oh my. This is one of those articles that you just don’t want to write. No one in their right mind wants to think about diet, much less change it. I don’t. But I will because it is important (“think about it” that is). Very important. The kind of importance that resonates with everyone, sort of like when Tiger Woods hits a hole in one, or better yet, when he runs over a fire hydrant. Now. That. Is. Important. (Not really, but it is more entertaining than dieting. You gotta give him that.)
.
Dieting sucks. Let’s face it and not disguise it. People with ADHD have a hard enough time remembering where they put their shoes (I did finally find mine), much less remembering what foods to eat. We tend to love fast food, microwaves and we love prepackaged sandwiches for Pete’s sake. Personally, I am a hot dog lover, but that’s another story. You don’t want to know. (Hot dogs scare me. They do. I’ve heard the stories about the meat grinders. But still, they taste great!)
.
Did you know that in Britain food additives have been seriously considered for some responsibility in ADHD? Here’s interesting information from an article on Good Morning America:

Mars Inc. responded to pressure from the British government last year by removing artificial colors from its well-known Starburst and Skittles candies sold in the United Kingdom, after a British study bolstered a hypothesis that such additives increase hyperactivity in children. AND food industry giant Kraft Foods Inc. also did the same thing in early 2007 with its British version of Lunchables.

One of the things I have noticed when it comes to ADHD and food additives and other types of ‘stuff’ in our food that could worsen the symptoms of ADHD is that we don’t really want to face those types of issues. Do we? Who has time to check every single ingredient in everything we buy? It’s hard to concede that food additives and other chemical (the word chemical in food gives me the heebie-jeebies) ingredients could be causing us serious health problems. And it is not that these are entirely responsible for ADHD symptoms, because I don’t believe that, it’s because we lack the time, which goes back to convenience. After all, fast food is not popular because it is healthy. Ouch! But isn’t it true? I’m guilty. Very guilty. I have stashed Twinkies. AND I love drive-throughs!
.
Then there’s the very real issue concerning food allergies and food sensitivities. Not only are they sometimes very difficult to identify, much less diagnose, they can have a very serious effect on our mood and on our behavior. Some foods can even make us angry, depressed, nervous, anxious and restless without us knowing it if we are allergic or just sensitive to them. Two of the biggest culprits are Gluten and Milk.

Do you know how many products have Gluten and Milk in them? A lot (go ahead, take your best guess – more than that!). And most of us enjoy and eat them every day, often without even realizing it. If this is true, which I’m pretty darn tooting sure it is, then I think many of us could potentially save ourselves a lot of misery if we discover what we are allergic and/or sensitive to and then avoid those foods. But we are talking about inconvenience and we are talking about people, like me, with ADHD. I really do like convenient Twinkies. It’s a love affair, truly. But are Twinkies good for me? (We both know the answer and I am not going to face it right now.)
.
The point of my blog post today is not to make us feel guilty, it is to point out that we might want to consider taking a much closer look at the things we eat. If we do that and respond by eating healthier foods and avoiding the foods that cause us ‘discomfort’ then we may find that we feel better, are more energetic, less moody and have less brain fog. Heck, we may even remember to turn off the lights when we leave the house (okay, that may be stretching it). The major problem is that most of the foods that do cause suffering we may be eating without even knowing it.

The #1 advice I tend to come across for people with ADHD with regards to food is this one: Eat whole foods and avoid processed foods. Process foods have a wide range of ingredients like white flour, trans fats and several additives and chemicals (a.k.a. heebie-jeebies).
.
The #2 advice I come across is: Get testing done on any food allergies or sensitivities you (or your child) might have. There have been cases that food allergies / sensitivities have been discovered and the persons’ ADHD symptoms improved. I asked Dr. Parker, author of CorePsych-blog, about this and he told me he’s seen hundreds, not merely 10 or 15 cases, with ADHD that was significantly aggravated by food allergy issues. Corrected they help those with ADHD not only to respond to meds and such interventions as Neurofeedback better, but the doses and overall energy improvement helps coping strategies improve measurably. He also pointed me to a blog post of his for you to check out further on this subject

Just something to think about, but I am not a doctor (I’d never remember where I put that freezing cold stethoscope thingy – why is that thing so cold anyway?). So it is a good idea to discuss food concerns, especially allergies, with your doc. Now, if you were to ask me if food allergies and/or food dyes and chemicals are the cause of ADHD I’d tell you that I don’t believe in fairies and leprechauns, but then that doesn’t mean they don’t exist! I’ve just never seen them (but I really, really want to see them!). Now, where did I put that yellow, delicious treat of mine?
.
I sincerely believe what we eat can make a big difference to our overall health. Do you?

   Send article as PDF   

In a recent study of tens of thousands of people over many years, it was found that coffee drinkers (I raise my hand with pride) have no more heart attacks or strokes than those who do not drink coffee! But, here’s the catch, coffee drinkers actually appear to have lower risk. (Get out of town! That’s my kind of catch.) It’s true. The study says so. For me that’s good enough. (I sip my cup of Joe in satisfaction.)
.
I love coffee. I do. I sip it. I caress it. And. Let me be a little more open than usual (you can look away), I sometimes talk softly to it. Yes. Coffee may provide the best stimulation I have ever experienced from something in a cup. I’m blushing. I don’t care. I have no shame. Not for something I love.
.
Guess what, though, according to WebMD, coffee may actually have even more benefits. (Can this day get any better?) More and more research shows that coffee drinkers, compared to (gasp!) non-coffee drinkers, are less likely to have type 2 diabetes, Parkinson’s disease and dementia. And there’s more, coffee drinkers may also have fewer cases of certain cancers and heart rhythm problems.
.
Now, let’s be clear that I am not advocating that you drink coffee, but for me, as someone with ADHD, this is all great news. No. I take that back. It is glorious news! The first thing I want in the morning is a cup of coffee! As a matter of fact when I had trouble waking up in the morning I used to have a thermos of coffee on my night stand. Just a sip, a heavenly sip, that’s all I needed and my eyes would brighten, my brain would light up (like Christmas) and I would finally be able to do the incredible, remove my blankets. Another deep sip and I would be standing, ready for the day! Dare I say I even became a cheerier person?
.
Yes. I said it: CHEERIER!
.
Remember a moment ago when I asked if this day can get any better? It can! I stumbled upon an article on CNN that for women, the risk of depression falls as coffee intake rises. (Get the heck out of here!) Yep, AND I think it is for men, too. I mean, I’m a guy and don’t I seem happier? Let me take another sip. Oh yes. Can’t you see my smile widen? Take a sip of yours. There you go. Now we are smiling together.
.
Reading the CNN article further, according to yet ANOTHER study (better and better), conducted among men in Finland, has also linked caffeine consumption to lower risk of depression. (This is truly one heck of a good day!) Happiness in a cup of Joe. Somehow I think I already knew this one. It’s the same with chocolate. Who doesn’t get happier after eating a piece of chocolate? Guys, too. You don’t have to say so, but we all know the truth. Chocolate + Coffee = the world is a better place. Indeed.
.
Do you want more good news about coffee? Are you sure you can handle it? It might be too much in just one blog post. Go ahead and take another drink of your precious Joe. I will wait. (Yes. I am convinced coffee helps my ADHD symptoms. So I can wait very patiently while you taste your lovely Java. Take your time. No rush.)
.
Okay, are you ready for this? Then here you go: According to an article on Physorg a study by researchers at the University of Scranton shows that Coffee is the number one (1) source of antioxidants in the U.S. diet! We’ve hit the mother-load of good news about coffee! And you thought popcorn was good, but how about some coffee with that popcorn?! (If you’re confused about my popcorn reference please read the awesome news I posted about it in a previous article here.)
.
Furthermore, in the many forums and discussions I have been involved in about ADHD, many people have said that coffee helps them with their ADHD symptoms. That’s not a study, of course, just my totally inconclusive observations. Even so, Coffee is known to have some side effects and in depth research is needed on the benefits for adults and children with ADHD. For me, though, personally, I started drinking coffee much later than most, in my 30′s and perhaps only coincidently, my ADHD symptoms have improved in that same timeframe. (Example: when I lose my car keys, my reading glasses or my wallet, a nice, long, deep passionate drink of Coffee helps me remember where I put them. Seriously.)
.
Final word: I love coffee! Did you have any doubts? So, are you a coffee drinker? Do these studies provide, well, a certain sense of grand satisfaction?
.
Oh, and by the way, drinking coffee doesn’t make anyone shorter. That’s just a myth. Really. I think.

   Send article as PDF   

I think one of the biggest problems for people with ADHD is that most of us are fast food eaters or we eat lots of snacks and not so many REAL meals. I am guilty. I admit it.
.
Rest easy, I am NOT going to tell you to stop eating fast food or stop snacking. No. I won’t do that. I’m not that kind of guy and I really should not give advice I am not going to follow myself. Stop snacking? As if!
.
Instead, I am going to tell you about a snack I love: POPCORN! A Recent study showed that it is actually a pretty healthy snack and that’s exactly what I needed. Scientists reported that popcorn may have more healthful antioxidants than fruits and vegetables. It’s also filling, which is important because IF I do not feel full I will continue to snack. I love snacking, so to do less of it fullness is very important.
.
However, let’s be honest here, I use microwave popcorn and most of the available packages in grocery stores include ingredients that pretty much overtake any possible health benefits. Therefore, I eat an ALL NATURAL type with no sugar and no salt added, and with very little other ingredients. My advice, if you really like butter or salt, get a natural package, then add real butter and sprinkle a bit of salt or other toppings as YOU want it. It’s up to you.
.
I also discovered something else. (I have been in a strange discovering mode lately.) HOME MADE MICROWAVE POPCORN (Shut-up! Really!?)
.
This is how you make it:

1) Need: Brown paper lunch bag & Bulk Popcorn Kernels.
2) Put single half Scoop of Kernels in paper bag. Adjust as needed.
3) Fold top of bag closed. (As if you are closing it for lunch twice over. Ha! See image.)
4) Pop in Microwave. (Mine takes about 4 minutes, but yours might take longer or shorter depending on wattage etc, so start with fewer minutes and increase if necessary. Your ears will know when to stop the microwave as the popping slows WAY down. It’s kind of obvious. Burn at your own risk. I burned mine the first couple tries. I kept getting distracted.)
5) Add toppings as you like.

.
There you go, much cheaper and probably a healthier alternative than prepackaged microwave popcorn!
.
Enjoy your snack

   Send article as PDF   

Too often I read about someone who hasn’t lived up to their own expectations, much less the expectations of others and hence feels horrible about themselves. That’s normal and natural to feel that way, but there’s a way to change it, even for those of us with ADHD. Allow me to share a simple, nearly effortless way.

Every Day! There is an opportunity for thoughtfulness:

• Take a moment, only a mere moment, to look over, text, call or leave a note for your spouse or partner with just a few simple words “I love you.”
• In retail stores it is the cashier’s job to say thank you and have a nice day and I bet most really mean it. Consider taking only a moment of thoughtfulness and return the salutation. He’s human too. And you might just make his day.
• Maybe you will be at the beach today (if so, lucky you!) take a moment to spot the lifeguard and simply say “Thank you” No need to say for what, it’s a given, but the thank you itself isn’t until someone actually gives it. Be that someone.
• The hard working florist sells flowers all day long. The next time you buy a bouquet, take one flower away from the bouquet and give it back to the florist and say “This one is for you, because you have created such a beautiful arrangement. Thank you.”

Thoughtfulness is easy, practically effortless and can become a habit. It’s one of the simplest, surest ways to becoming Happy Every Day! No, we do not need to do everything right and we will still have our goof-ups. But you know, the more we take advantage of moments of thoughtfulness the more aware we become of not only how good we can be, but how wonderful we already are.
.
Sometimes improving quality of life can seem an overwhelming journey to embark on, but when we break it down everything comes down to moments in time. Thoughtful moments. In today’s world such thoughtful moments have become rare, people are in a hurry (not just people with ADHD) and their remarks are not typically kind or thoughtful. Most people may genuinely be caught by surprise by any kindness shown to them. But that’s okay.
.
Think about it, it’s kind of hard to put ourselves down or think less of ourselves when we take advantage of such moments. Just one moment of thoughtfulness a day, or in a week even, and that’s enough to get anyone started. I know someone, somewhere will appreciate it. Better yet, it’s free and not required of you. Just do it whenever it comes to mind and soon you may notice such opportunities (and other similar opportunities) more often. And remember, appreciation is reciprocal, especially when it doesn’t have to be.
.
If you would like to take this a step further, keep a journal of the moments of thoughtfulness you start taking. How many times did you say “thank you” and really mean it? How many times did you say “I really appreciate you”? Notate those moments and smile, because you deserve it.
.
Thank you for reading this!
~Bryan

   Send article as PDF   

You are.

A little louder. A little clearer.

Good enough.

A step further. The truth of truths.

You are more than good enough.

Indeed. Yes. You are. Believe me. I know. I’ve been there. I’ve been in the doubt. I’ve felt the fear. Yes. That fear. I know what it is like to make a mistake. And then. Yes. And then. To make that mistake again. But even in the darkness, even in the despair, I have found something. Something important, something vital, something that is of a value that can never be taken away.

I found The Voice.

Strong. Vibrant. Confident.

Where are you? You. My friend. Where are you? Yes. YOU. The only place you are. The place you have not yet looked. Yes. That place. That place inside of you. That place that beckons. That place that constantly whispers. You need only Listen. Listen closely.

Can you hear it?

It is saying something. If you listen closely you will hear. Very clearly. You need only listen. Stop looking. Yes. Stop Searching. The answer it is there. Listen. Once you hear it, it will become like a roar and you will know. Without doubt. You will know.

Listen. Listen closely. It is saying what needs to be said. What is true. What is for you. Only you.

You are good enough.

You are more than good enough.

You are worth so much more than you think you are.

Because…

Can you hear the voice? It is familiar.

You are good enough.

It is your voice.

You are more than good enough!

You are who you are. And that. My friend. Is Good Enough.

Believe.

~Bryan

   Send article as PDF   

The answer is yes according to a recent study. In short the study determined that if kids in the same class are separated by their age the youngest are most likely to be diagnosed with ADHD and treated with medications to improve their behavior.
.
I’ve always said that today’s need for perfect compliance and behavior are stunting the growth of our youth, whether they are diagnosed with ADHD or not. Kids are simply not allowed to be ‘kids’ to play around, goof off, climb trees and get in the trouble kids get into. Scraped knees and falling out of trees isn’t normal anymore (Okay, that was never normal per se, but it was fun!). Passing notes? Whispering? Squirming? Those weren’t allowed when I was a kid either, but how far are we going to go until everyone is properly medicated into conformity? I sometimes wonder how kids today learn right from wrong if they are no longer allowed to have a little freedom to get into what used to be the usual, typical troubles that come naturally with childhood. Legal restrictions and punishments have become so severe that parents are scared out of their minds about anything their child might do when they are not monitored. If normal evolution is too slow for our society and medication will help keep them in line and out of mischief, well… But that’s another debate.
.
However, what’s more important here are the kids that are missed who really do have ADHD and do need professional treatment and possibly medication. All that this study tells me is the same-old – same-old! And that is if kids act up and goof off they are more likely to be considered to have ADHD. Some of them really do have ADHD and some of them are genuinely immature. But how do we know which is which? Current diagnosis is too often based on a guessing game. Is it age? Is it immaturity? Or is it energy being withheld because the child has no way of releasing that energy naturally without getting into trouble with adults? We have to get away from guessing at diagnosis and allow only trained ADHD specialists to confirm diagnosis.
.
Part of the problem is impatience. As ironic as that may be. Is there time enough to monitor a child in all facets of his or her life to allow for a proper diagnosis? Kids need to behave as desired right now, not tomorrow. However, kids with ADHD inattentive still remain the children most likely to go undiagnosed. This tells me that grades and performance still have too little to do with diagnosis. It’s the physical behavior that remains the main indication. For example girls are more likely to behave with less hyperactivity and yet still may have ADHD, but the symptoms are more subtle and less noticeable such as with constant daydreaming and seeming to be lost when asked a question or interrupted from zoning out. Take myself for example, I was a daydreamer extraordinaire and failed nearly every grade, but ADHD was not diagnosed until I was an adult. Lack of understanding about what ADHD really is and how it affects people still remains too much of a mystery to the vast majority of the public (arguably with some professionals, too).
.
Although the recent study seems to indicate that children are OVER diagnosed with ADHD I think it may be showing that diagnosis is still mostly a “maybe” game and that children who genuinely have ADHD and need help are still slipping through the cracks of misperception. I often talk to teachers and parents about ADHD and with some, just in day to day conversations, it is easy to notice that there is still too much confusion as to what is and what isn’t ADHD, but what is clear is that kids need to settle down, be quiet and not cause disruptions. And the kids that behave accordingly, whether they have ADHD or not, seem much more likely to not receive consideration of ADHD, even if they really do have ADHD and everything else aside from disruption points to it!
.
So the question isn’t really about ADHD at all in some cases, it is still about compliance and disruption. And who suffers from this? Parents and teachers to be sure, but mostly the kids (and even adults) who really do have ADHD, but as long as they find some way to not interrupt and not upset others they will still most likely slip through. And they then miss out on the benefit of proper treatment and possible medication for their ADHD!
.
The current hit and miss diagnosis is not good enough. And this is 2012? Really? One of the main reasons I published One Boy’s Struggle: A Memoir was because I did not meet the physical behavioral criteria for ADHD as a child (every teacher, doctor and parent needs to read it). Thanks to constant punishment I submitted. My energy was thwarted, but the more important criteria for a proper diagnosis were dismissed because ultimately I didn’t get myself into obvious, disruptive trouble. I found ways to make myself unnoticed as best I could. And worse, my poor grades were considered to be on purpose because I supposedly did not care enough (some still believe that myth and it angers me to no end). Maybe I would have been better off waving my hands and jumping on my desk. Maybe then ADHD would have been diagnosed? No, if you read my book then you know I would have simply been punished more. No thanks.
.
But even today for kids who do act out and get noticed, if that’s the primary (and sometimes, only) criteria for diagnosis, that doesn’t necessarily mean they do have ADHD. More likely what it does mean is that a lot of kids who do not act out physically are still being missed or are diagnosed much later, too often late in adulthood. I was diagnosed at 37. Many are diagnosed even later.
.
Bottom line is that ADHD diagnosed should not be a crapshoot based primarily on disruption. Kids with ADHD deserve better consideration. Adults, too, for that matter.
.

   Send article as PDF   

This post is about Somethingelse. The Gremlin. You may know her (or him).
.
I modify everything.
.
I write something. Finish it. Send it. Then I modify it.
.
I create a book cover. Love it. Save it. Send it. I come back a day later. I modify it (again).
.
Why do I do that? It’s ADHD, I tell you. I am convinced that the ADHD gremlin Somethingelse has made it impossible for me to completely, entirely and unreservedly be done with anything. She’s so insistent and particularly distracting. She’s pretty, too. Very. For some, she’s actually a “He”. And he’s handsome. He’s got all the right moves. He wears Ray Bans, too.
.
Do you constantly modify things? Is there ever an ending in sight?
.
I mean a real ending, with a period.
.
Or is there always Somethingelse? … {The End. Maybe.}
.
(By the way, Somethingelse can be a very good thing! She keeps the creative ideas alive and flowing. When others are blocked, we always have, well, something else! Let’s hope we do, because what if we didn’t?)
.
*Have you entered the Amazon Gift Cards contests? Go. Enter. At least give yourself a chance. You deserve it!
.

   Send article as PDF