Reflection
Do you think ADD/ADHD is more common than we think?
Yes I think is more common than we think and now we are beginning to understand these disabilities.
I'm wondering if I might have dyscalculia I've always had difficulty with math and fear of math when for others it was so easy. I was never tested for learning disabilities.
Jenney ,
The question is whether the presence of ADD/ADHD is more common than it used to be, or whether the medical and educational community are just getting better at identifying it!
Dr. Jane Jarrow
I do think is more common, is just that a lot of people are uneducated and do not know anything about this issue.
Mary,
Agreed. Not every difficulty that folks experience can or should be assumed to be the result of disability. Moreover, the presence of disability may explain why an individual is struggling with such issues, but it doesn't mean that their performance (or lack thereof) should be excused because of it. We should respect all individuals, with and without disabilities, by acknowledging their capability, not just their limitations.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
Probably.
I've heard stories of persons who were not diagnosed until adulthood, whose quality of life improved greatly when they were diagnosed and correctly treated.
On the flip side, persons who miss appointments and lack focus are not necessarily suffering from ADHD.
Jamie,
There is a whole field of study that is looking into disabilities of modern society. For example, there is a much higher incidence of diabetes today than there used to be because we get less exercise and eat so much more refined sugars. I think you may be on to something here!
Dr. Jane Jarrow
It could be more prevalent due to environmental factors. Technology has changed what we are exposed to, the food we eat, etc. I believe it's a good thing, but at the end of the day we really don't know how these exposures are changing the way we develop mentally and physically (although I'm sure there are probably ongoing studies).
Nancy,
I think you have hit on the key word, Nancy -- "acknowledged". Whether the syndrome is more prevalent, or whether we are just better at identifying it remains to be seen.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
In my opinion based on the current news, ADD/ADHD seems more common, especially now in comparison to 10-20 years ago when they were not acknowledged as a disability.
Kelly,
I suppose that depends on how common you think it is! GRIN I know that there are many more students DIAGNOSED with ADD/ADHD than there used to be. But I can't tell you if that is because the syndrome is more common, or whether we have just gotten better at identifying this as a legitimate issue, rather than blaming the child for not having better control.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
