Re: ADD/ADHD Kids
Ian Ford (ianford@DIRCON.CO.UK)
Mon, 21 Nov 1994 17:19:31 +000
Bill -
> That sounds just like all my Webelos
I know you were trying to be humorous but ADHD is a very serious
problem for those who either have it themselves or who have affected kids.
There are clear differences between ADD and the normal boisterous
behaviour one finds in the typical unit. The problem is whilst most of
your Webelos <can> pay attention when they
want tothe ADD kid cannot, however hard he tries.
ADD causes serious problems with school , college, work and social activities
not only for youngsters but for adults as well. Whilst ADD kids and
adults need to be treated as members of the pack / troop / society at
large, they DO have a genuine DISABILITY which needs to be taken into
account.
I recently joined LADDER (the UK ADD organisation) in order to find out
more about ADD , and the biggest problem is public ignorance and the
attitude of even professionals that it is something the individual can "snap
out of " Here in UK ADD used to be called Minimal Brain Dysfunction ,
and to some extent that is a good definition ; the ADD individual has a
neurochemical imbalance in just the same way as a diabetic has an
imbalance in his insulin metabolism.
Equating ADD with normal boisterous behaviour only serves to strengthen
the belief that ADD is within the control of the individual. It is then
only a short step to the position where one says that ADD does not exist
and those concerned are lazy , crazy or just plain bad. Getting diagnosis
and treatment often involves going in the face of the establishment, and
can be a frustrating and demoralising experience.
Ian Ford ASM T401
(London)
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City | 
