While, this is the homeschooling section, I think it’s important to keep up on what goes in the school system. I believe what goes on outside our homeschool world can have a direct effect on our homeschool. We should always be informed on new educational laws, requirements and controversial topics. The topic of ADHD is relevant in today’s school system since many children have been given the diagnosis after a teacher recommended a child be seen by a doctor. These children are more times than not put on drugs. This may alleviate the stress this child puts on a teacher and a classroom situation but drug safety is still a concern by many parents.
I know more than a few parents who have taken their children out of the school system due to a diagnosis of ADHD. The parents either felt as if the child was not a properly diagnosed or they refuse to put the child on medication. I know of one family whose child was not welcome back in class unless the child was on medication.
I am not professing that ADHD does not exist or that many children do not suffer from this disease. I am pointing out that the criteria for being diagnosed with ADHD could describe many children who could simply be seen as a disruption in the classroom. The class clown or class wiggle worm may not necessarily need medication or a diagnosis from a doctor. You will notice that the list below which is used today to diagnose ADHD seems to specifically target students.
Here are the complete lists of criteria, quoted directly from DSM-IV:
Inattention
1. Often does not give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, work, or other activities.
2. Often has trouble keeping attention on tasks or play activities.
3. Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly.
4. Often does not follow instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace (not due to oppositional behavior or failure to understand instructions).
5. Often has trouble organizing activities.
6. Often avoids, dislikes, or doesn’t want to do things that take a lot of mental effort for a long period of time (such as schoolwork or homework).
7. Often loses things needed for tasks and activities (e.g. toys, school assignments, pencils, books, or tools).
8. Is often easily distracted.
9. Is often forgetful in daily activities.
Hyperactivity & Impulsivity
1. Often fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat.
2. Often gets up from seat when remaining in seat is expected.
3. Often runs about or climbs when and where it is not appropriate (adolescents or adults may feel very restless).
4. Often has trouble playing or enjoying leisure activities quietly.
5. Is often “on the go” or often reacts as if “driven by a motor”.
6. Often talks excessively.
7. Often blurts out answers before questions have been finished.
8. Often has trouble waiting one’s turn.
9. Often interrupts or intrudes on others (e.g., butts into conversations or games).
Peter Gray says in his article for Psychology Today, ADHD and School: The Problem of Assessing Normalcy in an Abnormal Environment:
“”How convenient that we have this official way of diagnosing kids who don’t sit still in their seats, often fail to pay attention to the teacher, don’t regularly do the assignments given to them, often speak out of turn, and blurt out answers before the questions are finished. They used to be called “naughty”–sometimes with a frown, sometimes with a smile of recognition that “kids will be kids” or “boys will be boys”–but now we know that they are, for biological reasons, mentally disordered. And, wonder-of-wonders, we even have an effective treatment. We can give them a powerful drug–a preparation of methylphenidate or amphetamine, both of which have effects on the brain similar to those of cocaine (but without the euphoria) and are, for good reasons, illegal to take unless you have been diagnosed with a mental disorder and given a prescription. The drug works. The children become more tractable and classroom management becomes easier.””
He goes on to say:
“”In that study, where teachers’ ratings were not averaged in with the ratings made by parents, 23% of elementary school boys and 20% of secondary school boys were diagnosed as having ADHD. What an amazing finding. By teachers’ ratings, nearly one fourth of all elementary school boys and one fifth of all secondary school boys has the mental disorder, ADHD!””
While this may not directly affect homeschoolers, it is important to be aware of how children in the school system are being evaluated. It is also important to note what the school atmosphere is like for children. Children who sit attentively with hands folded neatly in their laps soaking in all the teacher says and turns in every assignment on time without distraction is the expectation and considered the norm. No, I submit that is a teacher’s dream and not reality. My son is obedient and scores in top 1% on the standardized tests, yet he shares many of the symptoms of ADHD according to the DSM-IV. He is not a disruption in church, not at home, not during co-op classes. This is not because he is the perfect child but because he is given freedom to learn and express himself. He has been taught when to squirm and when not to. Yes, I do believe there are children who truly suffer with ADHD. However, I also believe many children are being wrongly diagnosed simply because the teacher is unable to deal with an active child.
Related Articles:
The Light…it’s so Beautiful…ZAP! (ADHD)
ADHD: Myths and Parental Guides