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Original poster

childrens behaviour - is there such a thing as just a naughty child - why does everything have to be given a medical name?

262 replies

beatty · 22/09/2006 10:43

In society in the UK these days I think that some unacceptable behaviours in children are too quickly given a medical name. Why can't people just say that some children are naughty and need to be taught discipline rather than giving the a disorder or medical name to hide behind which then makes the behaviour more acceptable. "oh well yes the reason he behaved like that is because he suffers with X". "oh well that ok then bring on some treatment". this costs the NHS thousands where just a bit of discipline and time spent with children would do wonders. Other countries in Europe have so many fewer "behavioural problems" than here. Why is that?
I have just seen a programme this morning where children who don't know right from wrong after the age of about 3 years old has now been given a medical name...utter tosh...just parents/guardians that are probably just too lazy to bother or even badly behaved themselves (yes discipline does beginat home).

I do understand about many behavioural problems as I am a teacher and see the genuine ones every day but everything is now being given a name. When will people understand that there are naughty children out there and that's just what they are - is not medical problem!!

OP posts:
sorrell · 22/09/2006 20:51

Ok, you know better than highly qualified experts. But how? That was the question I asked. Clearly you have done studies, have medical qualifications....

misdee · 22/09/2006 20:52

yes peachy, the words that have been bandied about from certain professionals about dd2 range from autism, aspergers, dyspraxia, ADHD, ADD.

still no closer to knowing.

edam · 22/09/2006 20:55

Kittywits, where's your evidence that there is misdiagnosis?

kittywits · 22/09/2006 20:55

No Sorrel, no more than you. I am talking about misdiagnosis. Are you asserting that you have proof that there is no misdiagnosis ?

kittywits · 22/09/2006 20:56

Edam. what is your evidence that there is not?

Socci · 22/09/2006 20:57

Message withdrawn

sorrell · 22/09/2006 20:58

But I don't diagnose children. I leave that to the highly qualified experts. You, however, seem to be asserting they are wrong and our children are in fact, misdiagnosed are are simply bad kids, badly brought up. You have absolutely no eveidence for it, and clearly no knowledge or experience either. Some people might call that a position of complete ignorance.

soapbox · 22/09/2006 21:00

I really wouldn't bother trying to argue the toss with Kittywits, I find her infuriatingly obtuse and think that she views herself rather more highly than anything I have seen posted by her really merits.

I tend to ignore her when ever we cross threads!

Just my opinion though - feel free to carry on if you wish

Socci · 22/09/2006 21:01

Message withdrawn

sorrell · 22/09/2006 21:01

Look, duh, how simply does this have to be put. The evidence that there is not widespread misdiagnosis is the following:
1 Those diagnosing are highly qualified and experienced professionals.
2 Parents have to struggle long and hard to get their children diagnosed, long after they themselves have noticed serious problems.
3 Even the major charities and medical foundations dealing with problems on the austistic spectrum agree the problem is under diagnosis, not over diagnosis.

You, however, have no qualifications, not knowledge and no understanding whatsoever. It's like asking us to prove to you that saturn is not made of cheese.

kittywits · 22/09/2006 21:23

None of you are really listening. There will be children who ARE misdiagnosed, whether there is hard proof or not doesn't make it not true. I have never implied that any of the children you know have been misdiagnosed, but the fact remains that just because nothing in life is cut and dry it will happen.

kittywits · 22/09/2006 21:25

Soap box, I think highly of you too btw

Socci · 22/09/2006 21:30

Message withdrawn

kittywits · 22/09/2006 21:36

No, of course I don't, that's daft!
Do you go round telling anyone who states their opnion to you in real life that you're not interested a) unless you agree with it or b) unless they can qualify it?!

Jimjams2 · 22/09/2006 21:36

err kittywits you are the one who is not listening. There is NOT a problem of over-diagnosis in the UK. There is a problem of UNDERdiagnosis. This is acccepted by the major charities and by the professionals themselves. I sat in a meeting wiht professionals who also talked about the problem of children who CANNOT be diagnosed because they don't tick every box, but who do have significant developmental problems, but who the paeds know will sink because they do not have the dx.

Do you have any experience of SN at all - or are you just part of the ignorant tut tut brigade that makes going out with a child with autism (even a child with severe, non verbal- even accepted by people who get confused by HFA) incredibly trying.

beatty doesn't seem to know much about SN either

I mean this comment "oh well that ok then bring on some treatment". PMSL. My non-verbal son had NO hands on speech therapy for 4 years, none, zilch (from under 2- just under 6) despite being classed as the "neediest, highest priortiy" child (in terms of SALT) in the city/on his SALTs books. He has receievd it since he attended special school (so I think it is education funded rather than NHS).

sorrell · 22/09/2006 21:36

Just because you are completely ignorant of the situation and driven by prejudice doesn't make it true, either.
Yeah, we parents just love being told our beautiful children have a lifelong disability. Makes our bloody day.
It's attitudes like yours that make life with a child with an austistic spectrum disorder at total nightmare. Thanks a lot.

Jimjams2 · 22/09/2006 21:37

kittywits do you even know the criteria for diagnosing developmental conditions? It's not someone's opinion. It's a rigorous list.

kittywits · 22/09/2006 21:43

Sorrel, this isn't about whether your child has SN or whether I believe it. I believe there are countless children diagnosed correctly with a particular SN and eventually they and their parents get some sort of help and thank heavens for that.. I have already said that. So, you say it doesn't make it true, of course, and I'm saying it doesn't make it NOT true. There will be children who are misdiagnosed. Stating that does not immediately mean that every child with SN has been misdiagnosed. It means there will be children who ARE misdiagnosed, because there have to be, it is not a perfect world.

Socci · 22/09/2006 21:44

Message withdrawn

sorrell · 22/09/2006 21:47

You have absolutely no idea, do you Kittywits? What is the bloody point.

kittywits · 22/09/2006 21:47

I harbour no prejuices. I am saying that there are Misdiagnosis. Are you saying there are never any at all then? That every child, ever seen has had a correct diagnosis? You know that to be an impossibility.

Jimjams2 · 22/09/2006 21:48

Well I have yet to meet one kittywits. Are there really enough out there to warrant a thread? Somehow I doubt it.

Socci · 22/09/2006 21:48

Message withdrawn

Socci · 22/09/2006 21:49

Message withdrawn

Jimjams2 · 22/09/2006 21:49

Of course she has no idea- I mean look at this:

"eventually they and their parents get some sort of help and thank heavens for that..

because that's really true.... right? With a lot of bloody fighting from the parents in most cases. Yes we got it eventually (with a move to a special school) but we're the lucky ones and it took years to get there.