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Education

Stop! We are confusing ADHD with other Disorders!
By Michelle C. Rexach

Have you ever wondered why has ADHD become so “popular” in recent years? Many parents and educators ask themselves, what is causing the sudden rapid “widespread” of ADHD cases in America? It is almost like a fad! Although much has been researched, the nature and causes of ADHD are still largely unknown to the medical community. We all know that the common characteristics of ADHD include: extreme distractibility, the inability to sit still for extended periods, and increased anxiety and impulsiveness. This being said, “hyperactivity” and “inattention” are NOT always exclusive to ADHD. From the perspective of a school psychologist that tests hundreds of children a month, it is clear that many other disorders are often overlooked, ignored or confused with ADHD; resulting in the widespread misdiagnosis we are seeing today, and what’s worse, the overmedicating of children. Both parents and doctors are becoming increasingly quick to blame learning, behavioral and social problems on ADHD and are even quicker to utilize medication to fix the situation. The problem with this, warn some doctors, is that by being so quick to prescribe drugs to correct a condition is that they might be overlooking other possible causes for the problematic behavior. It is essential that the professional responsible for making a diagnosis take their time to truly study each individual child’s case. Many aspects need to be assessed, including: cognitive functioning (psychometric testing), academic achievement (psychoeducational testing), behavior inventory for school and home, and finally a neurological test to explore frontal lobe functioning (area responsible for attention and concentration), to name only a few relevant tests. In the mean time, look through the following indicators to help you distinguish some common disorders from ADHD. This is not an exhaustive list, and remember, it is certainly not a substitute to visit a licensed school psychologist who will help make the determination.

Indicators to help distinguish other disorders from ADHD

ADHD, Predominantly Inattentive Type

• Lethargy, staring, and daydreaming (more likely than in ADHD Combined Type)

• Sluggish cognitive tempo/slow information processing

• Lacks impulsive, uninhibited, or aggressive behavior

• Possibly greater family history of anxiety disorders and learning disabilities

• Makes significantly more errors in academic work

• No elevated risk for Oppositional Defiant or Conduct Disorder

Oppositional Defiant Disorder and Conduct Disorder

• Lacks impulsive, uninhibited behavior

• Defiance primarily directed toward mother initially

• Able to cooperate and complete tasks requested by others

• Lacks poor sustained attention and marked restlessness

• Resists initiating demands, whereas ADHD children may initiate but cannot stay on task

• Often associated with parental child management deficits or family dysfunction

• Lacks delays in motor abilities seen commonly in ADHD

Learning Disabilities

• Has a significant IQ/achievement discrepancy (+1 standard deviation)

• Places below the 7th percentile in an academic achievement skill

• Lacks an early childhood history of hyperactivity

• Attention problems arise in middle childhood and appear to be task or subject specific

• Not necessarily socially aggressive or disruptive (may become so after years of frustration)

• Not impulsive or uninhibited

Anxiety/Affective Disorders

• Likely to have a focused not sustained attention deficit

• Not impulsive or aggressive; often over inhibited

• Has a strong family history of anxiety disorders

• Restlessness is more like fretful, worrisome behavior not the “driven,” inquisitive, or over stimulated type

• Lacks preschool history of hyperactive, impulsive behavior

• Not socially disruptive; typically socially reticent

For more information visit: www.Child-Testing.com. Click “articles for parents”

Michelle is founder of Psycoeducational Services of Tampa Bay. She has been in practice for over 6 years, starting in San Juan, PR. She is an author of three books on the subjects of discipline, giftedness and divorce, and also offers seminars and conferences nationwide, including South and Central America. For more information contact Michelle at Psychoeducational Services of Tampa Bay. (813) 514-8293

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