Autism Recovery Stories

The terms ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) and ADHD (Attention Deficit with Hyperactivity Disorder) were coined in the 80's so as to conform to the psychiatric "bible" of symptoms and diseases (DSM-IV),  This allows for convenient compartments of diagnosis in order to get paid by insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, etc,  It has little to do with actual diagnosis in too many cases.

Before that time, it was generally known as hyperactivity, and was primarily about boys in a ratio of about 4/1,  It was known that girls also suffered, but instead of the hyperactivity, they became slower in actions and did not pay attention,  Few girls suffer from hyperactivity (ADHD), but many suffer from ADD.

There have been many "questionaire type tests" developed to help clinicians diagnose ADD/ADHD,  Some of these are as follows:

• SNAP IV Rating Scale This is a fairly good one.

   

   

• AD/HD Self-Rating Scale For Girls From the ADDvance magazine.

   

   

• The Sbordone Attention Battery (SAB)This consists of a set of nine relatively brief tasks to evaluate the attentional functioning of patients with suspected brain dysfunction, 

   

   

• Autism-Spectrum Quotient A test for autism from Cambridge's Autism Research Centre

   

   

Remember that none of these tests are really definitive, but are useful to researchers (and others) as "guides".

It should be kept firmly in mind that every "dysfunction" or "disorder" (unlike a real "disease" such as mumps or measles) is just one point along a continuum,  That is, ADD/ADHD can range from a "slightly abnormal" kid behavior to autism, or brain injury,  Where a particular child is along this line, depends on individuality, This includes genetics, environmental factors, health of mother during pregnancy, and a host of other factors too numerous to describe.

It should also be kept firmly in mind that virtually all ADD/ADHD children are well above average IQ, although due to their crippling symptoms of ADD/ADHD (or drugged out on Ritalin et al) they may not appear so,  Many are well above 120 if tested AFTER treatment is successful,  Kids of 100 IQ and below are rarely ADD/ADHD,  If we treat these bright AD(H)D kids with drugs, we are losing one of our most important resources, the intelligent minds we need.

Adding to the problem is the fact that all too often in public and private schools, the hyperactive (or even just overactive) child is so disruptive to the rest of the class that the school nurse prescribes Ritalin,  Ritalin, and the other similar drugs are all a form of "speed" that's an illegal street drug, For just a few of the dangers inherent in this class of drugs, see Ritalin Dangers

ADD/ADHD is a neurological or neuro-biological based developmental disability, which is estimated to affect between 3% - 7% of the school-age population,  The medical literature has references to these ADD/ADHD symptoms for about 100 years, (Is it just a coincidence that that's about the same time as sugar intake increased, and white flour was first produced?)

ADD/ADHD is one of the most thoroughly researched of all childhood disorders, According to all the "experts", ADD/ADHD is a disorder that can cause serious lifelong problems, if it is left untreated, Certainly parents and children who have suffered with it will certainly agree.

Autism Recovery Stories