Susan Sasse: Does My Child Have ADD?

  • Tuesday, August 23, 2016
  • Susan Sasse

School has started again and hope springs eternal! “Maybe a fresh start and a little maturity will make this year go better with a new teacher!” Well, we will see.

A common question from parents is, are we dealing with ADD? There are basically two common types of ADD, with Hyperactivity and non-hyper type or Distractible ADD. The common symptoms of the Hyperactive-type everyone is familiar with- basically a child who can’t sit still, who is in constant motion or constantly chattering, and “acts as if driven by a motor.” The Distractible-type is a little harder to pick up on as they are often polite and well-behaved. But we all have the friends, or children, who are terribly forgetful, lose everything, and often say “what?” – even if it appears that they are listening. This student takes forever on homework and usually comes home with a backpack stuffed full of papers that were never finished in class.  

What can a parent do, “do I have to medicate?” After years of working with ADD students, my usual answer is, “You don’t have to try medication unless they have no friends and unless their grades are suffering….or if the family is a total wreck from their behavior!” I am a big vitamin/supplement person and I wish I could tell you that I know if a natural cure, but I have yet to see one that is a sure bet. Definitely take them off as much sugar, and food with colored dyes and additives as possible. Definitely try to keep as regular a schedule as possible and don’t overload them with too many activities. They really need time to shut down and play. T

hey tend to focus on video games, because often their bodies can rest while their brain and retinas get lots of stimulation, but electronics is also very addictive for them. As much outdoor play and sports they enjoy is preferable, as long as the sports are not stressing to them.

Another common statement from parents is “I don’t want them to take meds and become a zombie.” If the medication zones them out, then it is the wrong medication. It is encouraging that there are at least 10 different kinds of medications at this point in time. And, no, it does not stunt their growth. The biggest complaint about ADD meds is that they often suppress the appetite and students are not hungry. They have to be reminded to eat. Sleep is usually not an issue but meds sometimes have to be adjusted to make sure the student is calm by bedtime. 

If you think your child may have ADD how do you go about doing something about it? Most pediatricians now will require you to have your child tested to get teacher’s opinions and to rule out learning disabilities. Ask your doctor to see what they require. Sometimes they only ask that the parents and teachers fill out a behavior checklist such as the Vanderbilt Symptoms Checklist for ADD. If they do require a full psycho-educational test you have to find a private practitioner or stomp your feet until the school system does the testing for free!

Here’s a tip – the teachers around here have been trained to never say your child has ADD! “Teachers cannot diagnose.”  So you have to be creative and rephrase the question, such as “If it were your child would you get them tested for ADD?” or “Do you think maybe he is more active than the other children?” It’s a funny game we play.  

Two of my favorite nationally-known physicians that do a really good job of explaining Attention Deficit Disorder, are Dr. Daniel Amen and Dr. Ned Hallowell.  They both give a complete list of symptoms and accommodations for the school situation. Dr. Amen adds in some natural supplements that are good. All this to say, if your child has had several bad school years or if you are spending each evening screaming, it’s time to seek more help for your child’s benefit and for your sanity!  

(Susan Sasse, M.Ed. is a school psychologist and licensed psychological examiner with a private practice in Chattanooga. To contact her with questions or comments email at sassesusan@yahoo.com)


 


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