As an ADD parent does your child have ADD and/or other genetic issues?
I have non hyperactivity ADD and my beautiful baby was diagnosed with a chromosome condition that has many traits including potential learning difficulties, sensory issues, low muscle tone etc (Its too early yet to see if she will inherit ADD also)
I recently read ADD is strongly understood to be hereditary and also ADD mothers are more prone to having children with genetic issues and special needs.
Wondered if anyone has any thoughts, experience or situations where this is the case?
I recently read ADD is strongly understood to be hereditary and also ADD mothers are more prone to having children with genetic issues and special needs.
Wondered if anyone has any thoughts, experience or situations where this is the case?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by silverwings002 on -
All I can relate is that 2 on mine have ADHD [diagnosed], one that is delayed in her skills, one has Juvenile [type 1] Diabetes- which takes 2 diff genes, one from each parent, relatives with ADD [and many many more in denial], possibly dyslexia, definitely depression and alcoholism and a little bit of bipolar thrown in, and sensory/physical abnormalities [such as all the women are always cold, and teased for being ditzy]. All these are shared in the family.
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Permalink Reply by Rebekah on -
I have ADD (primarily inattentive but some hyperactivity) and bipolar disorder and severe anxiety and my daughter (9) has ADD (inattentive type) and my son (11) has ADHD and Asperger's Syndrome (an autism spectrum disorder) and all of those are genetically inherited plus we all suffer from multiple food and environmental allergies. So I definitely fit the pattern of having ADD and other genetic issues and passing them on to my children.
The most important thing to remember is that genetics do NOT determine 100% what your child will or will not have. Environmental factors such as exposure to chemicals in your home and school environments and preservatives and artificial substances in food products, vitamin and mineral deficiences and imbalances in how your body absorbs nutrients and processes them all impact the manifestation and severity of disorders like ADHD and sensory processing disorder and autism and even depression and anxiety.
So the most important thing to remember is to do what you can to improve your daughter's quality of life in areas that you can control, such as what she eats and drinks and her exposure to toxins in the environment around her (and doing these things will improve your quality of life as well) and know that if she does develop something like ADHD later in life, that its not your fault, even though genetics play a role, they are not the only reason that such disorders exist.
With myself and my children, we changed our diet and are in the process of doing testing for imbalances in vitamins and minerals and heavy metal toxicity and just being aware that there are things we can do and implementing small changes have changed their lives for the better. If you have the ability to pay out of pocket for health care, or if you are lucky enough to have a pediatrician that follows the DAN protocol (its specifically for children with autism, but beneficial for any child with developmental or learning difficulties from my experience and those of others with children with developmental and learning difficulties) I would recommend finding a doctor for your daughter that is well versed in these practices. We also follow the Feingold Diet for our children, it eliminates artificial colors, preservatives and flavors from the diet and has been a great help in reducing the effects of their ADHD symptoms and behaviors, specifically in my son with Asperger's.
So I guess the short answer is, genetics plays a role, but its not the only cause and there are things you can do to reduce the likelihood of your daughter having severe problems if she is diagnosed with other difficulties.
Good luck to you and your family!!!
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Permalink Reply by Julie on -
Thank you for sharing your experiences. :)
Im epecially interested in learning more about the DAN protocol which is new to me. Im a firm believer that alot of outside influences (diet etc) can improve or exacerbate existing issues.
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Permalink Reply by Rebekah on
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There is a book called "Healing the New Childhood Epidemics" by Dr. Kenneth Bock that details a lot of the DAN protocols in more detail and stories of children who have benefitted and whatnot and its a VERY good book. You can also learn more at the ARI website (you can also find a DAN dr here)
If you have any more questions dont hesitate to email me personally if you want. My email is inky3405@yahoo.com
Julie said:Thank you for sharing your experiences. :)
Im epecially interested in learning more about the DAN protocol which is new to me. Im a firm believer that alot of outside influences (diet etc) can improve or exacerbate existing issues.
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Permalink Reply by Shannon Kernahan on -
Well, I do have a child with a developmental disability (Down's Syndrome, Tri21) but after genetic counseling I was assured that his condition was a complete fluke during myosis and not a hereditary pattern. My little guy was prediagnosed with Tri21, but he is just now showing some variables in his behavior consistent with ADD/ADHD at four years old. Many rivers to cross still, but I have not had a full diagnosis that it is consistent yet with my own dealings with ADHD. There are a lot of factors to determine first, some of these tests include thyroid function, speech delay (can create irritability in communicating feelings), and other determinable factors. My daughter who is 6, has yet to show any symptoms of ADHD herself.
Best thing I did as a new parent with my son was suggested by a therapist, just enjoy him. First and foremost he was a baby, to love and cuddle and protect. I struggle with micro-organizing his health issues and get overwhelmed easily, but he is a constant reminder that if I went thirty years with managing my needs somehow that I can meet his needs one day at a time.
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Permalink Reply by Suzy on -
I have ADD and my 12 yr old some has ADHD and life in the morning is stressful as well at other times. I plan to watch/listen to the teleseminar tonight. I hope I know how to get to it. Terry, can you confirm how to get on to it at 7 pm MST?
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Permalink Reply by Tess on -
I recently read this article on epigenetics and about how certain things can turn our genes to adverse outcomes on and off, I think that the chromosomal changes are less likely to be altered by the enviroment but I think that they are studying if there is a link between genetic predisposition to certain abnormalities, and if environmental influences change the expression of those genetic differences. More info on that epigenetics article is here:
http://www.primarilyinattentiveadd.com/2010/01/epigenetics.html
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Permalink Reply by Elizabeth on -
I have inattentive type ADD and my son does also. He also has a fine motor deficit, which he is staring to outgrow. I believe my youngest daughter will also have ADD because she is showing the same signs that DS did at her age.
Elizabeth
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Permalink Reply by dar on -
7 yr-old son has ASD/Asperger's Syndrome with possible ADHD-PI.
9 yr-old daughter shows strong signs of ADHD-PI, altho going gluten-free has taken care of 50% of her 'crazy-monster' behavior.
10 yr-old daughter shows strong signs of ASD/Asperger's Syndrome as well as dyslexia, altho it's taken us awhile to put the pieces together; girls exhibit so differently from boys...
my husband has tourette's syndrome and undiagnosed ADHD-PI.
and i'm going to the psychiatrist this weekend to ask for a formal ADHD (PI) evaluation for myself. :)
we also have a 6-yr old daughter who may end up being ADHD, but we're still trying to discern if her behavior has to do with neurological issues, being an active extrovert in a predominantly introvert household, or being the precocious youngest of 4 children.
my son is the only one for whom we've pursued formal diagnosis at this point; being a homeschool/unschool family (which can be a good thing or a bad thing depending on how you look at it) has given us the freedom to take our time with such things.
i do see a strong genetic link in all this neurological/spectrum stuff. my father-in-law is dyslexic; my husband's cousin has a child with ASD. i can look into my own family history at my late father, who exhibited signs of ADHD throughout his childhood and life.
all that said, i don't see these neurological/spectrum issues as a disability or handicap per se. we do our best to prepare our children for adulthood, but both my husband and i want more than the average american dream for our children. we are both artists, and we want our children to embrace all the giftings that come with their particular quirks.
after one particularly horrible evening in january (in which i completely lost my temper with my children), i was apologising to my oldest daughters before their bedtime. i told them, 'i know i've failed so much as a mom, but i'm praying for God to change my heart and i'll do all i can to be a better mom to you all.'
my daughter told me, 'i don't want you to be a better mom. i just want you to be happy..'
i cried in my room that night, and i resolved to find a solution (once and for all) for my depression cycles, my unpredictable moods, my 'obsessive' cycles (which i now recognise to be 'hyper-focusing'), my failure as a housekeeper and attentive mother, and my overall inability to 'cope with real life'. learning about ADHD-PI through my son's psychiatrist was a huge eye-opener -- as has all the information about women and ADHD-PI that i've been researching online. which is why i'm going to the psychiatrist this weekend.
i hope that my daughters and son will do so much better than me as they grow into adulthood - more informed and more aware of all these neurological/spectrum issues.
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