Good article. I agree with the first doctor though, particularly this: Many other problems, such as learning disabilities, anxiety, sleep apnea and child abuse, or a child being gifted, can cause symptoms that may be misdiagnosed as ADHD. Too often practitioners don’t take the time needed to make that distinction.
ADHD needs to be diagnosed or excluded carefully and I know people whose children were ‘diagnosed’ very quickly indeed. I also know a teacher who has had several children in her school whose parents prime the kids to ‘play up’ to get medication and then sell it.
As someone with experience of highly and exceptionally gifted children, I also know that they are being misdiagnosed with ADHD FAR too often.
We all know it’s real and that drugs are a lifesaver. But we have to be VERY careful that this is done properly and, as yet, it isn’t always. Not even nearly always.
However, what he failed to mention was that there are many others who are failing to be diagnosed who are not accessing help and that is as big a problem.
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