The difference

[rpooo]

Forgive me if in any way my question is unappropriate. How do you know when a child has ADD/ADHD or if its lack of disipline or bad parenting? Perhaps does anyone think doctors are to quick to give out the medication.

[rpooo]

Sandman2 Thanks very much! It was nice talking with you. Take care. Randy

[rpooo]

I guess in my opinion maybe if parents were to educate themselves as much as you have about the subject then drugs given to control behavior can be quite helpful. Perhaps a two week class for first time parent followed by an annual class requirement to be able to obtain the medication should be implemented. Non-optional. Otherwise so many parents may just use the medication as a way to get some quiet time.

[Sandman2]

    I agree completely that at some point (it would be nice) if the person learned to control their behavior without drugs.  The problem is when and what.  Its very hard for a 5 or 6 year old with a severe case to learn control.  You simply can't get their attention long enough for behavioral modifications to work.  As a child matures, they can develop or learn more control.  I think that the greatest problem lies in the academic world.  And I don't mean just the self control.  If a child can't focus - to study or to take a test for example - they are kind of doomed.  I have even seen many posts by adult ADD users who still use meds because their jobs demand the type of attention that they just can't provide normally.  However, many of these adults are able to use on an as needed basis.
    So you have two different problems:  The hyper, risk-taking, no filters problem.  The inability to focus.  Both require different interventions and different time frames.
    My concern is the parent (or doctor) who doesn't have the time to work with the child.  I have said on this forum many times that while the meds may seem like magic - they are only a part of the answer.  It takes a lot of effort to help the "whole" child.  Granted, just giving the kid a pill may be better than doing nothing - but there is so much more that can be done for the child.  Also don't forget, the meds will make a normal person hyper and their discipline problems much worse.  They only will work to calm down or help focus a person with AD/HD.  For a very good unbiased view you might want to check out this link to the Arizona State Supreme court website.
       http://www.supreme.state.az.us/casa/prepare/adhd.html
  Hope this helps, it is a complicated subject that many times a pediatrician won't spend enough time on explaining.  Which is why I tend to favor a pediatric psychiatrist (if you can afford It).

[rpooo]

Thank you very much for such a great answer. I have one more question though. I'm sure to most parents putting their child on drugs is a really tough decision so it seems to me at some point this young person is going to have to learn to control this behavior without the drugs. So wouldnt it be better for them to learn at a young age and can the drugs be avoided by spending more time working with the child. I would hate to think the drugs are being used as a convenience for parents who just dont have the time. Perhaps I will do some research before making any more accusations but i'm sure you can understand my conserns. Thank you Randy

[Sandman2]

   Consumers Report did a great study on AD/HD.  One thing they found was that pediatricians gave out meds much quicker than other types of doctors.  So it would be easy to say that yes, some doctors do give out meds too quickly.
   There are lots of sites that give out information on the symptoms of ADHD.  I can give you several good ones if you wish.  But to answer your question - to be diagnosed with AD/HD it has to appear in two or more different settings and exist for a period of time.  There is a very explicit criteria that must be met to get the diagnosis.  This tends to (but not always) eliminate bad parenting or discipline - at least, if they have an experienced teacher.  But if you look at the characteristics of AD/HD, you will see many of the actions are not due to bad parenting, etc.  
  By the way, your question is not inappropriate, it is a question that many parents should wrestle with.  If you have any more questions, please post.