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?

God above, I’m glad you’re not our SENCO. Want to talk me through how our DD’s inattentive ADHD and Aspergers-like presentation is due to some commonality of parenting between DH’s Granny’s parents, FIL and me? I’m NT and am the primary caregiver so I'd be fascinated.

We don't have a chaotic family environment, either . His two sisters don't have ADHD, autism, OCD, nothing.

This thread is like a game of Ignorance Bingo.

Do you generally see more cases of ADHD within chaotic households or in "less troubled" households (sorry I dont know how to put that more PC) ? Can it ever be a reflection of bad/neglected parenting?

I know this wasn't asked of me but I would like to offer an answer if that's OK?

For one thing, a child with ADHD- especially undiagnosed, untreated ADHD where parents have not been supported to learn techniques to try that might help their child's specific needs- can make a house seem utterly chaotic. Our whole family suffers when DS1 suffers (he is my boy and I love him endlessly but he exhausts me, my resources, all of us: he can be destructive and violent and cruel, he has been involved in 'low level' crime and disorder for years, he goes missing, he steals, he costs me an absolute fortune in paying to make good damage he has done to other people's property let alone ours, he brings trouble to our door of a kind I did not imagine I would ever experience IRL, he misuses substances, the list is endless) and if you didn't know you could easily think the chaos was the cause rather than the result!

For another, I suspect many children with ADHD diagnoses have a parent with undiagnosed ADHD or other conditions with which there seems to be a link.

Thirdly, I believe there is a significant body of evidence to support the theory that ADHD can sometimes be the result of early trauma and neglect, so, yes- really poor parenting can be a cause.

*handy

The British Psychology Society recommends that for children suspected of "ADHD" who are under 6, the parents need to go on a parenting course first... this says volumes to me!

Excellent, you understand that children with extraordinary needs make extraordinary demands of parents, and parents often need more than the normal support and guidance to manage that. Well done, you!

It's always such a coincidence how children with ADHD come from homes which are really chaotic

If that were true then yes, it would be a remarkable coincidence. Unfortunately for you, it isn't, so now you just look a bit silly and spiteful.

Have a look into the ADHD Big Pharma industry in the States

I can rant about Big Pharma with the best of them: it does not change the fact that medication prescribed for ADHD has a significant positive effect on my child, when he is willing to take it. The issues many of us have with Big Pharma do not mean no illnesses exist and no medications are effective.

Parenting courses are a brilliant way to start, but should be as well as medical diagnosis.

Parenting courses because sometimes understanding that your response to 'bad behaviour' can be a reward in and of itself or is reinforcing the behaviour is a vital tool on any parent's arsenal.

It allows parents to reconsider how they react to a child that often pushes them to the very end of their tether. It doesn't mean that the behaviour is because of the parenting. Just that the behaviour and the usual response helps nobody.

A child with autism, ADHD or any other similar issues needs parents who can reflect and recognise what works... and parenting classes, the good ones, help with the that!

Well my son was diagnosed at 3, yes, 3. Clearly shows what a complete shit parent I am according to some. DS also has ASD and a complex genetic condition that causes both among many other issues but sure. Clearly a shit parent of a brat.

@DelilahfromDevon I suspect a lot of people are like you. That's why it's a complete waste of time discussing it with anyone. You might as well be discussing particle physics.

I know a doctor in the US who doesn't think it's real. Worrying.

Someone I know shared a "why French kids don't have ADHD" bollocks article on Faceache. She was working at a special school at the time. Her DC has since been diagnosed! but thought I was wrong when my dc was going through the assessment process and didnt understand why a 'friend' sharing that article would be annoyed!

Pepsicola there are people who believe the earth is flat. These are the people you avoid

The problem is some people via the route of “Dr Google” like to claim their child has is, minus any professional diagnosis

The problem is, parents have been fighting to get a referral to CAMHS for years but keep being told they are just shit parents because their teacher refuses to believe them on the basis a child can keep a lid on it for a few hours a day to try to fit in with peers and avoid being punished for being who they are.

@ mistyrivers87 actually in my experience and I can only speak for my experience is that ADHD is more likely to be diagnosed in “normal“ families. As many other PP’s have said it is very hard to get an ADHD diagnosis, referrals can go through the school but are more often done through a GP The below information is what happened in my DS’s case and I believe that a chaotic family would find it extremely hard to persevere through all this especially if they have other children at home.
Getting referred by the GP - this may necessitate a few visits, then a referral to a paediatric specialist again more than one visit, assessments are carried out the school will also be asked for an assessment, the school will be comparing the individual child’s behaviour to a large number of other children rather than the parents who may only have limited knowledge of usual child behaviour. The medication if prescribed is a restricted drug the same pharmacy must be used each time and ID must be shown. The child must attend for regular check ups usually every 6 months in my experience for height and weight checking as the medication can affect the Child’s growth so this must be monitored. There is more than one type of medication and not everyone will have a good reaction to each medication for example one medication my DS took caused hyper emotions, stopped him eating at all and made getting off to sleep near impossible . So back to the specialist different medication but he still had to have Melatonin to help him get off to sleep. As he grew his medication dosage needed tweaking the GP is not allowed to do this So back to the specialist again.
Usually parenting classes are offered in our area 8 sessions one hour a week for 8 consecutive weeks and you cannot take your child with ADHD or any other child with you ( no crèche either).

Chaotic families will be helped through this process if they come to the attention of SW but otherwise no they usually just muddle along and very rarely get their child officially diagnosed. Sometime organisations like Home Start can also help.

I think ADHD is real but not as common as it's believed to be. I have no doubt that a lot of children are miss diagnosed. Due to incompetence from parents, teachers and doctors alike.

My DS always had problems at nusery and through primary school in regards to his behaviour. (Just a little boy who couldn't sit still, but got better as he got older...)
We had several teachers telling us XYZ are classic for ADHD and we should seek an diagnosis. Thing is, we never had these behaviour problems at home. But he struggled with the confinement of the classroom.
I really believe it was an easy way to deal with him... stick a label on, give some medication, problem solved! (yep someone suggested medication for a then 6 year old!)

@mistyrivers87 sorry your name was incorrect in my message above

I can rant about Big Pharma with the best of them: it does not change the fact that medication prescribed for ADHD has a significant positive effect on my child, when he is willing to take it. The issues many of us have with Big Pharma do not mean no illnesses exist and no medications are effective.

I’m no big pharma conspiracy theorist, but I did watch a great documentary on the BBC by Dr Chris where he talked about over medication for ADHD. There was a program from the Netherlands that encouraged meditation amongst other things teaching kids how to manage their symptoms. It seemed really positive and most of the kids were able to reduce their medication. I’m not sure if it’s still on IPlayer.

@Vodkacranberryplease I know one of those too... avoid like the plague!

@GreytExpectations

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.

GreytExpectations

You’re talking about my son then. He was diagnosed and given Ritalin at 6.

Why do you see medication as an “easy fix”. Would chemotherapy be an “easy fix” for cancer? Or insulin for a diabetic? Or paracetamol for a headache?

Obviously, misdiagnoses happen and are far from ideal but I’m guessing the vast majority of diagnoses are accurate.

I agree with people who say that yes of course it does exist but not every naughty child will have ADHD. And surely it goes that not every child with ADHD will be naughty. It's a minefield.