Do many people think that ADHD is not real?

[Ilovecranberries]

Was having remote drinks with a friend and his wife yesterday. She's a secondary school teacher in a quite "rough" school (not in the UK). I was quite surprised when, discussing something quite abstract about how different people think and react differently, she had said quite breezily that the majority of teachers she knows "don't believe" in the existence of ADHD.
Incidentally, one of my children is currently being assessed for it, but it is not news that I had shared socially outside of my immediate family. I wasn't offended, but I wonder if it is actually a widespread view behind the closed doors?

I used to think the same tbh. I was uneducated and assumed it was a label people gave to naughty children. My son has since been diagnosed with it and it's pretty clear that I myself and also my Mum have it.

She’s talking bollocks. I’ve spent years working in schools and I’ve never met a teacher who doesn’t believe autism is real. In fact they’re usually fighting hard to get a child assessed so they can access additional support they need.

I’ve spent years working in schools and I’ve never met a teacher who doesn’t believe autism is real.
It's not autism, it is attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder.

It’s a proven medical condition where the limbic system is Under active - so the emotional regulation that most of us experience isn’t present. Hence why they give Ritalin - a stimulant - as medicine to try and engage that part of the brain.

Are people mis diagnosed ? Of course, but the condition itself has been neurologically proven to exist so I don’t see the argument for it not existing !

Primary leader here. ADHD absolutely, 100% exists. I've had some heartbreaking conversations with tearful children who have been sent out of the room for the 20th time, trying to explain that their brain will just not shut up. However, I have also seen children diagnosed with ADHD who, in my opinion, are suffering from poor parenting and few boundaries at home. I have had several parents angry with me because I wouldn't 'tell the doctor what he's like' when I simply can't, because their child's behaviour at school is excellent.
During lockdown, we have had a disproportionately high number of parents wanting to discuss the possibility of their children having ADHD.
Worrying to hear of teachers casually stating the condition does not exist, but I can see why they might feel that way.

There are people who don't believe in any neurodevelopmental conditions or they have a very narrow, stereotypical - and often incorrect - idea of how neurodevelopmental conditions present. People will say it's a label, that we as a society are pathologicalising normal behaviours, that it's an excuse for shitty parenting or even caused by shitty parenting, that its down to poor diet, too much screen time, lack of boundaries, that it didn't exist in their day, that a good clip round the ear will cure it, and so on.

Basically, people have all sorts of prejudices and sadly many of these people aren't shy about sharing them. My advice, and I mean this kindly, is to develop a thick skin because if your child is diagnosed you will hear all sort of opinions, "facts" (myths), judgements, and so-called cures before you're done.

I am a teacher and would have had to say something. Genuine ADHD cases are clear to see and I hope she doesn't have to deal them!

The one thing I would say is having taught in a rough school Some parents know how to play the system - which really annoys me as it detracts money and time from genuine need. As a teachers we should be able to tell the difference - however the paperwork to support an application today is worded differently

I’m a teacher and have never heard another teacher saying it doesn’t exist. My ds is also diagnosed.

I do agree that some parents suggest their child may suffer from it when in fact it’s poor parenting.

I think some posters may do well to remember that there are many parents here who either have a neurodevelopment condition themselves or are raising children with a neurodevelopmental condition and reading comments such as "it's often used as an excuse" or "I don't think it's real" are unfair and dismissive.

I think the problem is it’s overused, particularly on children that come from chaotic households. So children who may not have been taught appropriate behaviour (boundaries, social skills, impulse control) are then labelled as such by their parents who can’t accept that it is their parenting that is the issue.

I definitely think it’s real, I know someone with it and it’s very obvious, but I also think it’s a phase that is used by parent of naughty children with or without a diagnosis as an excuse. I also feel it’s overly diagnosed to children without it who have other issues.

The issue is in America specifically it is over diagnosed meaning a lot of cases are mis diagnosed. They also treat the symptoms by giving very young children strong medication. This isn't always the best suggestion and doctors in America are very quick to proscribe. I'm talking about 6 years being given ritalin as an "easy fix"

Now, ADHD absolutely is a real condition and should be treated as such but I think the points I made above is sadly why some people often eye roll at it.

@Ilovecranberries

I’ve spent years working in schools and I’ve never met a teacher who doesn’t believe autism is real. It's not autism, it is attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder.

ADHD is part of the autistic spectrum in the same way that Asperger's Syndrome is.

I've heard a nursery worker complain about ADHD, saying if they vetted parents first for capability it wouldn't exist. But she's a profound bitch who, in my opinion shouldn't be allowed around children anyway.

I think the ones that think generally are completely lacking in empathy.

Lots of people dont think its real and think its poor parenting. I feel very sorry for people with that diagnosis from the society aspect. The plus side is there are lots of strategies to support a child and the medicine seems to really help.
They think that autism doesnt exist too but less often (particularly if the child is more classically autistic) Some lucky people have both.

Yes it's real and yes some people believe their child has it when they do not.

@houstonspca Ditto! In the same way that I was an excellent parent pre- children ('my kids will never.....'🙄) I was a learning support TA and thought some of the children were just 'naughty'.
My son now has his Dx and the medication is a life saver, our family home is much happier as a result and you can really tell when its wearing off!

An ex teacher here. It does exist but is also used by some to excuse poor behaviour. That leads to some people believing it is all just an excuse.

Sadly there are many kids who would benefit from early diagnosis to teach them coping skills that they and everyone around them could use.

I would add though that I agree with pp that it can be overdiagnosed. In my area CAMHS make you take a parenting course prior to dx which probably helps.

Early interventions really are key to positive outcomes but sadly with the removal of Sure Start and cut backs in school budgets and SEND provisions those interventions are going to be harder to come by.

Yes, lots of people believe it isn't real. I have it and I don't tell people unless I am quite sure they will take me seriously because it is actually a pretty debilitating condition. It's hard enough without people going on about it being an excuse or medication turning you into a zombie or whatever, which is pretty hurtful TBH.

It is real. People with ADHD have different chemical make up in the brain.

I think sometimes people say it can't be ADHD it must be poor parenting because parents of an ADHD child:

• may know that "ordinary" parenting practices will exacerbate their child's current behaviour, and responsively decide that deescalation is the highest priority. This may look like "indulging" or even "rewarding" bad behaviour.

• may need to use non-standard parenting practices because this is what helps their child to learn the skills they need long term. Again to somebody without the wider context this can look like "not dealing with behaviour"

• are probably exhausted and worn out because their own child may display challenging behaviour many, many times more than most children do in a single day. So they may not react perfectly on the 20th time.

• have a high chance of having ADHD themselves and so may lack the skills of regulation and consistency required for "good" parenting. Their own condition may be unrecognised and therefore unmanaged.

ADHD is part of the autistic spectrum in the same way that Asperger's Syndrome is.

No, it is not. Please do some research before giving false information.