ScottCounseling

Diagnosing ADD/ADHD is a medical decision. Parents have a right to get a second or third opinion. Parents who get the best medical advice often report that they have had their child assessed by a trained medical doctor and nurses who specializes in this field. The medical facilities that employs educational and learning specialist who work directly with the doctors, children, schools and their families are the facilities that often make correct diagnosis when it come to this disorder. Insurance companies often cover a percentage of the cost. It’s a good idea to check with your insurance company before you make a decision… Continue Reading

Is ADD/ADHD Real?

There’s a lot of television program, books and even medical professionals that dispute the fact that ADD and ADHD are real medical disorders. Some well- meaning authors have written books claiming “doctors and teachers are drugging our children!” Other individuals who claim to be ADD/ADHD experts report that too many children are being “over-diagnosed.” Many parents, especially fathers, often feel that active kids are just being active and “boys are just being boys.”

Here are some interesting facts. In the 1990’s, 3 to 5 percent of all school-age children were diagnosed with ADD/ADHD. Current estimates during the past five years bring the new numbers in a range of 6% to 9%. China, Germany, Great Briton and Japan all have similar or greater ADD/ADHD diagnosed rates when compared to the… Continue Reading

Signs and Symptoms of ADHD

The hyperactive and impulsive child may begin to show the signs and symptoms presented below before they enter first grade. Parents who have children who can’t sit still in preschool and continually here from the teacher that their child “is much more active than the other children,” usually see some of the other signs presented below while their child is at home, in stores, restaurants and other public places outside of school.

• Interrupts while others are speaking or blurts out
• Constantly getting out of seat or squirms in chair
• Has a hard time playing or completing a task quietly
• Runs, jumps and displays a lot of energy at inappropriate times
• Gets in conflict with peers
• Constantly touches people or objects without permission
• Talks excessively
• Seems to require constant supervision and direction
• Has a hard time

According to the American Psychiatric Association, as defined in their Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV-TR, ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) and ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) have held numerous labels over the years. There are three different types of ADHD.

• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Primarily Inattentive Type (ADD)
• This type of distracted and inattentive disorder is commonly referred as ADD or Attention Deficit Disorder.
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Primarily Impulsive and Hyperactive (ADHD)
• Children diagnosed with this disorder often react before that think making their actions impulsive. These children also show signs of uncontrollable urges to move.
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Combined (ADHD)
• Children in this group are distracted, inattentive and impulsive.
• Common Signs and Symptoms Of ADD

ADD usually does not become problematic until a child is in third or fourth grade. The… Continue Reading