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@808 raver now the DX is neurodivergent which also includes on the spectrum.

 

Well, doctors didn't decide that, a group of psychiatrists who composed the DSM-5 decided to call ADD ADHD-I instead. DSM stands for 'Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders'.
They have been known to change their mind, which is why this is the 5th version of the manual.
Once they get a full grasp of the characteristics/symptoms of ADD, which are more complex than just attention deficit, they will probably change it back again. Or come up with yet another term.
The current use of 'neurodivergent' as an umbrella term is much more suitable, which does justice to every group.

Regarding the DSM-5: I have known quite a few ADDers who came out of therapy groups for ADHD/ADD with exacerbation of their symptoms because they had been exposed to the hyperactivity of ADHDers, which can be very overbearing, especially for someone with ADD.
An ADD person needs peace and quiet, but even cowering in a corner didn't help. For some of them the ordeal was such that they suffered a mental breakdown.

One of my nieces has ADHD. A darling girl with a heart of gold, but I used to be worn out after 5 minutes with her.
She is now on meds (she is an adult), and I can finally spend quality time with her. I can even understand what she is saying, this slowcoach couldn't follow her speed-talking before.

Exactly. A much broader field, which recognizes many different neurodivergent conditions and their complexities.

 

As far as I'm concerned, doctors don't understand the brain at all, it's a bunch of chimps trying to understand a super computer. I grew up with ADHD, there was no understanding from teachers, doctors or parents at that time. I am a father now of a Son with ADHD and with a little understanding from his parents he has become in the top 5% of our local grammar school and has many friends and has never taken drugs. IMHO ADHD doesn't need to be the awful condition it is for sufferers, people can be very unkind to mental disorders because they can't see a physical problem, even parents. With care, love and understanding the symptoms are greatly reduced and if they do appear letting them go without punishment is the way to deal with it.

 

Absolutely true. The way the outside world views and treats a condition is often worse than the condition itself. And that world includes doctors and teachers, in fact they can be worse than 'random' outsiders.
I am glad your son is able to fulfil his potential, thanks to you of course.

Children shouldn't be punished for something they have no control over. Try to understand the cause, talk about it, and help as much as you can.

 

Mental health should be treated like any other disease & condition without stigma. It is shameful how schools treat children who learn differently. Education should not be one size fits all as that standard needs to be changed. It is slowly happening however with every thing else progression has been slow. Neurodivergent is to big as it has many diagnoses in it. I have a good friend who is an artist & a therapist who is dyslexic when she has to submit any type of forms online or written she falls apart, I help her with all of it. One of the smartest people I know. People are very quick to judge which breaks my heart.

 

I can count on one hand the times my Son has actuality been naughty and for each of those times I've told him off. When he was about 5 I sat him down and went through all symptoms of ADHD then asked him how many he thought related to him, he said 8 out of 11 (or something like that) then I explained I suffered from the same thing. All throughout his life I've sat him down and spoke with him like an adult about how he just suffers a disorder and how one day it won't be as bad and how he will learn to deal with it and if other people don't understand then that's their ignorance, also I've have had to protect him from ignorant people, I've even had to read the law to his last Head Master who shouldn't be in their position. He does hum in class, he doesn't look people in their eyes when he is being spoken to, he does get frustrated, he can be emotional, he does speak out of turn but when asked to stop he does. We found asking the school if he could have something to fiddle with (blue tack) in class stopped most of the problems. He is now 14 and nearly all of those symptoms have gone

 

My niece has made a few videos in which she explains some of the aspects of ADHD, that may be of interest to you. (She is also great fun.)
Maybe even something to show people who don't understand but are willing to learn.
The first one was made before she found the right medication, so you can also see an example of her speed-talking.:

 

How incandescent your Niece is, what fantastic videos. Given the right employer she will rise all the way (if she doesn't start her own business). I will show my Son her videos when he returns. I don't really think all symptoms fit all, and age has a lot to do with what symptoms you have at that time.
Sleep, organization, staying on task are the 3 I would say cover all ADHD sufferers, often dyslexia comes with male ADHD.
I'm very glad my Son doesn't live in the 1960-1970's, my childhood wasn't very pleasant at all (under statement) I hope when he has children the world's understanding of ADHD has progressed even further.
While the assumption that NASA employs 50% dyslexics is false there is (in my belief) some truth that ADHD/dyslexic people have advantages in problem solving and can easily see whats important in life (ie the big picture) and I would hope employers would recognize there are advantages as well as disadvantages to employing people on this spectrum.

 

She currently does freelance work for BBC Wales. She was discovered because of her youtube videos. But freelance means no real security of any kind, not for the future either.

Yes, ADD people have that as well, and people with high IQ. I have both. Contrary to what many people think, the second can also cause problems in a 'normal' world. To me it is also neurodivergent. My niece also has a high IQ, but you may have guessed that.

Her example of the clock in the room is also very recognizable to me, as are many other things she said. I cried when I first watched her video, for her, and for me. I am in my 60s, so no one ever recognized or supported me either.

 

I will watch AJ's niece's videos later. Even though not in the biz anymore, I still have a keen interest in the neurodivergent world. Yes, the DSM goes through iterations which it should as research and new understandings, as well as treatments, come to light. The other thing is that people with diagnoses generally have more than one -- for instance one very bright boy with autism also had Tourette's syndrome (although I suspected, that being as bright as he was, he sometimes used it as an excuse when he was just being cheeky). It is terrific when parents are very supportive and makes a huge difference in children's experiences, especially at school. Sadly, that is not always the case, and there are times when meds are required for ADD/ADHD so that the child can function.

 

She will have a great career!

I have advocated for kids most of my adult life, & I know when I have sat down with parents & teachers to mediate & explain that this is not a defiant, bad or disobedient or lazy kid. It is just that they learn differently & let’s give the kids some grace to see how they learn, they will succeed. We have had teachers &or admins, who will refuse, in the US we do have federal rights protecting them. There are so many simple things we can put in place to help kids to be successful in education, higher education & careers. Together we can make a difference, as it does take a village. Some adults are more resistant than others, some are willing to learn, I have always explained it benefits everyone all around but most importantly the child. At the end of the day the goal is always a happy well rounded kiddo who is successful.

 

Exact labels can't really be put on disorders like these, and yes people with these disorders are different but with the right care and understanding these people will become very successful. If I had one observation with my Son it would be, he takes ages to grasp the concept but once he gets there he well surpasses the average for his age. A good example was reading, spelling and writing, it took him years to grasp it but as soon as he got there he flew, he now can read, write, speak and spell in 3 languages (he's English so not the norm) I think he will do OK when he leaves uni (fingers crossed) but if he doesn't then there is always antiques I have a shop's worth of stock to get him started

 

@Any Jewelry her videos are fabulous I am going to forward to a friend, who it will really help so thank you for sharing.

@808 raver I agree no one should ever be labeled, but diagnosed which is essential for services. My older son was chronically ill as an infant until around 12. A neurologist at a top university wanted to label him, my pediatrician would not allow it. He wound up having an infection on his brain which was surgically removed in 2 surgeries. He wound up having a 3rd to remove thickened scar tissue, once he recovered he soared. He was a late learner with academics from illnesses but after they removed the infection and by the time he was 12 he was way ahead academically, he graduated High School with an associates degree (2 year Uni) in accounting. He is a bank officer now. Have hope, with right tools, and the great parental support your son can be anything he sets out to be.

 

"but diagnosed which is essential for services" Sorry, yes I agree. What I suppose I was saying is with disorders of the brain that can't be checked with bloods or xrays/scans like ADHD labels aren't the best thing. Until humans know how this amazing organ works we are still in the dark ages. I really hope in the near future we have a breakthrough but it's so complex, I think it will happen when nano tec has advanced enough to see without doing damage.

 

I stay on top of research, new drugs, new findings & anything relevant. It is so important for parents, schools & society to understand that with time we learn more & more. My poor kid was constantly poked, prodded & as he has been called a mystery in the medical world. He was born with a compromised immune system & could not receive medical intervention when it was first discovered as I was pregnant which meant at the time he would not have been able afterwards. New discoveries are being made not at the speed we like. The brain is an amazing organ, and until they can create a safer way to see which neurodivergent umbrella some will fall within, we only have the information & tools that are current. I hope always for the best, for both kids & adults.

 

That is great, Nana, the more people her videos reach, the better. That is why she made them, and she is a great advocate for a better understanding of ADHD and executive dysfunction.

 

My good friend has an adopted son who is autistic & ADHD, I know she will get so much out of them. Your niece is phenomenal please let her know.

 

I will.