ADHD Mainstreaming?
Let me be the first to say that I am thrilled that ADHD is getting positive media coverage and that it's going mainstream in that more and more people are understanding this condition. For instance, this month's Health Magazine , is featuring an article on ADHD and The Today Show had segments both yesterday and today on ADHD (one on adult ADHD and one on ADHD in children).
But, does that mean it's become more accepted as a medical diagnosis?
Back when I first became professionally involved in the field of ADHD, it was quite an uphill battle to get people to understand that ADHD is/was real. I do think we've made good progress; after all, it has now become a topic in mainstream media.
I'm curious to know how this is playing out in your life. Do people you come across accept your ADHD or do they still insist it's a character flaw or something you can overcome "if you only tried harder?" Let us know how mainstream it has become for you...
But, does that mean it's become more accepted as a medical diagnosis?
Back when I first became professionally involved in the field of ADHD, it was quite an uphill battle to get people to understand that ADHD is/was real. I do think we've made good progress; after all, it has now become a topic in mainstream media.
I'm curious to know how this is playing out in your life. Do people you come across accept your ADHD or do they still insist it's a character flaw or something you can overcome "if you only tried harder?" Let us know how mainstream it has become for you...
Comment
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Comment by KD on February 7, 2010 at 1:54am -
Most people do not say anything. My gut tells me that they think it is a character floor and looking for sympathy. It's a pet peeve, but I have trained myself to ignore their response, Until you walk a mile.....
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Comment by Terry Matlen on July 2, 2009 at 8:29pm -
It is very frustrating that this continues to happen. Re: the blood test- what about saying there's no blood test for depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, bulemia, anorexia...etc.
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Comment by Meli Zikakis on July 2, 2009 at 6:44pm -
Hi Terry
I just got your notice about the new site
Or how about the teacher who told me that "she just didn't believe in ADHD"-(well I "helped" her get transferred to another school where she hasn't done well there either.KARMA) or the family member who criticized me in front of "a cast of thousands" literally(daughter's musical practice)that I was a bad parent because I was giving my daughter dangerous medications for an "ailment" that you couldn't even verify with a blood test.What goes around will always come around.
Love the comments Piratemom-I'm sending them to my daughter who needs encouragement today -that she IS making good-if unpopular -choices.
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Comment by Lovemypirates1121 on June 15, 2009 at 8:20pm -
One thing I find very tricky is trying to explain to friends and loved ones that certain traits are due to ADHD without it sounding like I'm using it as a crutch. I don't want to sound like the people who excuse any bad behavior with "I can't help it, it's part of my disorder" excuse.
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Comment by Amy B on June 11, 2009 at 9:48pm -
Tammy,
You are right, but I like to think educating teachers, kids, friends, whomever can help. I started out in the parental role - married as well. The I got divorced and experienced the single parent role - way more difficult than people can imagine. I have learned to speak up about backing off a single parent if the school thinks they're not doing their part because many times they have 2 jobs and more than one kiddo and they may be doing all they can. As a special ed teacher - I knew of various disabilities, I experienced them as a teacher, but experiencing ADHD personal has again changed me. I would have never thought that ADHD was why I struggled through my childhood, teen years and adult hood. I coudln't even see myslef in those adult ADHD tv ads. It wasn't until I was researching for my daughter that I read and adult survey and said - WOW that is me. Others may never totally understand ADHD, but I do know my daughter's teachers were extremely open to receiving information and didn't realize the varieties of ADHD symptoms. Just like no one can really understand having any medical problem until they have it themselves, education has brought about change and acceptance of a variety of medical issue and we can advocate for a change in the perception and understanding of ADHD .
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Comment by Tammy on June 11, 2009 at 8:52pm -
It is easy for outsiders - they look and say they understand, but there is no way they could. They have not lived with someone that listens to NOTHING you say, NO MATTER WHAT. The saddest thing is to see their little faces when they know they did something wrong, but can not explain why they did it.
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Comment by Terry Matlen on June 11, 2009 at 7:51pm
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Amy,
You are in a great position now to help these parents by offering resources to them. I love the book idea. You could also ask CHADD to send you information that you can share with parents:www.chadd.org . I'll bet you have great ideas education-wise to help these kids. Wish all teachers understood ADHD as well as you do!
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Comment by Amy B on June 11, 2009 at 3:41pm
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I am lucky that many of my friends and family do accept my recent ADHD diagnosis. My dad was relieved and we even agree that my mom may have struggled with undiagnosed ADHD all her life (she passed away some time ago). My daughter having been diagnosed and on a treatment plan coupled with mine has actually improved my communication with my exhusband. The bummer is that, although my boyfriend acknowledges it, he struggles with accepting it as a part of me and he holds hope that my medication will fix me(LOL) - so this may not be one that lasts.
As a special education teacher - I find there is a great variety in schools with their level of acceptance, mainstreaming and approach. I also want to put it out there that I have had many parents turned to me, asking me what I recommend for "treatment" - many times beyond the scope of education. I use to wonder why parents would do this when my education focused strategies for teaching, behavior management and understanding different learning styles not medicine. Now as a parent with a child diagnosed with ADHD, I realize that what they may have been really hoping is that I knew some resources to help them make decisions or find information. Now I am more prepared for those questions. I have noticed though more recently that there is more acceptance and understanding in society than even 5 years ago.
With my daughter, I saw that her teachers really didn't understand her. And, one did finally admit that she couldn't understand how my daughter fit in the ADHD category since she wasn't hyperactive. I ended up buying them each a copy of "Understanding Girls with AD/HD" - for summer reading. They actually thanked me and not sarcastically ;-).
So I think there's hope - but education is key and sometimes it's not the teacher teaching.
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Comment by Lovemypirates1121 on June 10, 2009 at 12:10pm
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Yeah that's one long fad!
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Comment by Mark Lewis on June 10, 2009 at 12:00pm
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Yeah, ADHD is a fad that's been around for a hundred years! *LOL*
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