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Original poster

"Adhd isn't a real thing and just an excuse for naughty boys"

43 replies

redcherrie · 08/03/2025 13:22

How would you feel if your ADHD child came home and told you that this was said by a teacher to the whole class?

OP posts:
Wisenotboring · 08/03/2025 14:50

I would dig really carefully into whether the teacher actually said it. Unfortunately, I believe there is over-diagnosis of ADHD and this manifests massively in school as parenting culture and styles have changed so much. It does a real disservice to those genuinely affected. If it's true it's appalling and I would want to follow it up. I'm just trying to think of what would trigger a teacher to say that to a group of pupils.

Mintymatchmakerheaven · 08/03/2025 14:45

Devonshiregal · 08/03/2025 14:37

Quite a lot yeah. Alcohol, drugs and food are big issues.

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Utter rubbish and ablist. Speaking as someone with 3 unmedicated dc, one at uni, another heading there. I also have a few late diagnosed friends who have none of these issues

Maddy70 · 08/03/2025 14:40

I doubt very much s teacher said that. I have ADHD. And my children have. You. An have ADHD and be good or naughty.

Devonshiregal · 08/03/2025 14:37

andHelenknowsimmiserablenow · 08/03/2025 14:22

So ALL unmedicated ADHD sufferers end up drug addicts or in prison? Really?

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Quite a lot yeah. Alcohol, drugs and food are big issues.

Original poster
redcherrie · 08/03/2025 14:25

Also, I do need to add that all staff are great with him, and know he has ADHD. They've been excellent with supporting him, with boundaries in place also.

So, this comment has thrown me off and I feel a little disappointed.

OP posts:
Original poster
redcherrie · 08/03/2025 14:23

Sorry, I should say. He is medicated and does exceptionally well; his latest reports all 9s and 8s!

They have sanctions for poor behaviour at school and he's only had 4 since start of January which is pretty good going!

Apparently he wasn't in the group talking that morning either.

He's 13. And we are very proud of him as he does struggle daily.

OP posts:
andHelenknowsimmiserablenow · 08/03/2025 14:22

FluffyDashhound · 08/03/2025 14:17

Maybe look at your child's meds if they aren't sitting still, concentrating or regulating. I find concerta amazing. I also take it and it stops the voice that goes around your head questioning yourself and changing topics. If you dotn medicate your going to have low grades, poor behaviour and he will find cocaine and marijuana helpful. Oh and maybe prison.

So ALL unmedicated ADHD sufferers end up drug addicts or in prison? Really?

FluffyDashhound · 08/03/2025 14:17

Maybe look at your child's meds if they aren't sitting still, concentrating or regulating. I find concerta amazing. I also take it and it stops the voice that goes around your head questioning yourself and changing topics. If you dotn medicate your going to have low grades, poor behaviour and he will find cocaine and marijuana helpful. Oh and maybe prison.

FluffyDashhound · 08/03/2025 14:14

Hmm. Tbh I've had teachers say this but differently. I've had a little bit of a stern word with dd teacher as she's on new meds and in titration. She's the hyper child the over emotional one. The one with no real friends. The one who wouldn't think twice of thumping your child in the face and smashing their ipad if it was in their school bag. Anyways no issues now she is medicated. Literally none but before omg it was horrible they just couldn't cope at school and it was awful for my dd. Anyways her current teacher. I asked how her focus was and behaviour as in can she sit still and not get up and down. She's 10 btw y5. I had an email back saying well all kids get a bit like this in the afternoon. So we kept meds same based on this. They weren't a good fit btw and we have since changed to concerta 36mg.

Few weeks later my dd didn't react well to something and said teacher emailed saying she had not seen my dd behave like this at all before and needed more elsa support. I kindly reminded her she had adhd is in titration with a pending ehcp and she hasn't seen anything and hopefully she won't. Her nhs paperwork says danger to herself and others when not medicated. Anyways she now appears to understand thankfully.

verycloakanddaggers · 08/03/2025 14:06

redcherrie · 08/03/2025 14:02

Thank you; my child is very sure this was said and other students after it happened spoke to him about it and asked if he was okay.

He is at an independent school, I have found over the years some teachers can have quite a prehistoric view on ADHD. In fact, we moved from one school after a teacher stated to us in parents evening that she thinks ADHD is made up and a poor excuse for boys who are naughty. So, there's definitely teachers out there with this view.

Then you need to ask the head to investigate.

Original poster
redcherrie · 08/03/2025 14:05

frogsoutofthebag · 08/03/2025 13:27

Agree with @MissJoGrant

A teacher would be incredibly stupid to say this in front of the whole class, I find it hard to believe.

Are you sure they didn't say ADHD is a real thing and isn't just an excuse for naughty boys? As lots of people do just use it as

This is exactly what I thought, and told my son. I also asked that if the class were talking, did someone say 'I can't help it, I have adhd!' And the teacher responded with something similar. But my son is adamant that she was having a 'rant' about adhd and how it isn't real and people are being diagnosed for an excuse etc

OP posts:
Original poster
redcherrie · 08/03/2025 14:02

Thank you; my child is very sure this was said and other students after it happened spoke to him about it and asked if he was okay.

He is at an independent school, I have found over the years some teachers can have quite a prehistoric view on ADHD. In fact, we moved from one school after a teacher stated to us in parents evening that she thinks ADHD is made up and a poor excuse for boys who are naughty. So, there's definitely teachers out there with this view.

OP posts:
Soontobe60 · 08/03/2025 13:28

Yep, I’d want to know the full story and context.

frogsoutofthebag · 08/03/2025 13:27

Agree with @MissJoGrant

A teacher would be incredibly stupid to say this in front of the whole class, I find it hard to believe.

Are you sure they didn't say ADHD is a real thing and isn't just an excuse for naughty boys? As lots of people do just use it as

MsBette · 08/03/2025 13:26

MissJoGrant · 08/03/2025 13:24

I'd feel that I would like to find out if that was what the teacher had actually said.

I agree. What was actually said?

Did the child do something and excuse it with ADHD, prompting a response which has been paraphrased?

I'd check the facts. Tough times in classrooms these days.

BobLemon · 08/03/2025 13:26

MissJoGrant · 08/03/2025 13:24

I'd feel that I would like to find out if that was what the teacher had actually said.

This in spades

drspouse · 08/03/2025 13:25

I'd be making a complaint.
We more or less had this said (luckily to me not DS) by a Sunday school teacher. The vicar backed her up. So we left the church. Then the vicar left the church before he could be sacked. So we didn't really have anyone to complain to.

MissJoGrant · 08/03/2025 13:24

I'd feel that I would like to find out if that was what the teacher had actually said.