Dear Sir,
It was with some interest that I read the article What You Should Know About Attention Deficit Disorder by Edward W. after having it handed to me by a member of our church. There were elements of the article that were insightful, helpful, and needed to be said in a public forum, especially the discussion of the moral and spiritual dimensions of behavior. For this part of the article I applaud Mr. W.
However, Mr. W's discussion on the physiological/biological aspects of ADD ADHD was lacking to the point of being misleading to the readers. I am sure that Mr. Welch had no intention of misleading any readers, as that would hardly reflect the "biblical guidelines with which to understand ADD" that he seeks to communicate. Therefore, for the sake of clarifying some details, may I present the following evidence. Perhaps in the near future you would run an article that would present some of this information to your readers, so that they have an accurate understanding of the disorder.
We continue the dialogue here in part four. Mr. W writes,
"The popular assumption is that there is an underlying biological cause for the behaviors, but the assumption is unfounded. Although there are dozens of biological theories to explain ADD, there are presently no physical markers for it; there are no medical tests that detect its presence. Food additives, birth and delivery problems, inner ear problems, and brain differences are only a few of the theories that are? unsupported by evidence."
". . . there are presently no physical markers for it;"
This is not supported by research. There are many physical markers for it. One just needs a fMRI, SPECT scan, QEEG, or PET scan, to see them. I have personally performed hundreds of EEGs and some QEEGs, and can attest first hand to the differences in brainwave patterns of ADHD individuals vs. non-ADHD subjects.
". . . there are no medical tests that detect its presence."
This is also misleading to the readers. Many, if not most, biologically based medical conditions are diagnosed by the observation and experience of a trained clinician or physician. Many medical conditions have no "medical tests" that detect its presence.
For example, I am presently house-bound recovering from pneumonia. Did you know that until July, 2000, there were no "medical tests" that detect the presence of pneumonia? Just last summer a urine test was approved by the FDA which is between 75% and 80% accurate in diagnosing pneumonia. There are no blood tests, or other forms of "medical tests" to diagnose it.
My pneumonia was diagnosed solely on the observation and experience of the physician. He listened to my breathing and coughing. He observed and interpreted a chest x-ray. Then he made a judgment, a diagnosis, based on observation and experience (not on empirical, objective results from any medical tests), and began treatment. The x-ray, my coughing, etc., gave him evidence of a condition only. He had no "medical tests" (he did not try the new urine test) to tell him if I had viral pneumonia, bacterial pneumonia, or mycoplasmic pneumonia. Yet based on observation and experience he started a course of treatment. The treatment involved the use of powerful medications, and the treatment has so far been beneficial.
The fact that there are no blood tests - "medical tests" - to diagnose pneumonia is hardly evidence that I am not suffering from a medical condition.
ADHD is also diagnosed by clinicians through observation and experience. The clinician would rely on developmental, family, academic, and genetic histories, behavioral rating scales, and objective testing. There are tests, psychological and neurocognitive tests, that are extremely helpful in making a diagnosis, such as continuous performance tests and other tests of executive functions. There aren't any blood or urine tests - "medical tests" - as Mr. Welch would say. But that does not invalidate the biological basis for the condition.
Mr. Welch further writes: "There are some medical problems that can provoke ADD symptoms. For example, thyroid problems can affect energy level, and hearing or visual impairments can make paying attention difficult."
Yes, these are true. But they describe thyroid problems, and hearing or visual problems, completely separate medical conditions which happen to share some symptoms with ADHD. They do not cause Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Depression and anxiety can cause symptoms that look like ADD, but they are not ADD. A head injury can cause symptoms that look like ADD, but a head injury is not ADD.
The neurological problems that cause ADD are the causes of ADD. Mr. Welch is simply unwilling to admit that there is a neurological, biological, physiological basis for a very real condition called ADHD. His position, however, is not supported by the reality presented in the research.
This is the end to part four of this discussion. You can learn more about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder by visiting the ADHD Information Library's family of web sites.
Douglas Cowan, Psy.D., is a family therapist who has been working with ADHD children and their families since 1986. He is the clinical director of the ADHD Information Library's family of seven web sites, including http://www.newideas.net, helping over 350,000 parents and teachers learn more about ADHD each year. Dr. Cowan also serves on the Medical Advisory Board of VAXA International of Tampa, FL., is President of the Board of Directors for KAXL 88.3 FM in central California, and is President of NewIdeas.net Incorporated.
As a mom of 4 who's youngest child is about... Read More
What exactly makes safety glasses different from regular glasses? There... Read More
The key to lifelong learning is reading and writing. When... Read More
1. Tell me something you like about yourself? Help your... Read More
Life is funny.My twenty-year-old daughter, Melanie, has a her new... Read More
Children do what feels good to them and follow their... Read More
Should a parent give a child a tangible reward when... Read More
You are at the grocery store with your daughter and... Read More
Until about the age of six, children do not generally... Read More
In "The Ring Bear," a picture book by Tigard resident... Read More
What is a parenting problem?Parenting is a tough job, we... Read More
Raising a pre-teen or teenage daughter (or son) is not... Read More
It's the third time this week that Sam has complained... Read More
Not so long ago a dad-to-be would pace up and... Read More
Do you want to create a deeper, more loving relationship... Read More
Certainly we all want our children to excel. But it... Read More
the woes of being a parent of an ADHD child.....Like... Read More
You may remember The Red Couch Project, a book by... Read More
Have you ever watched your teenager make a mistake (that... Read More
We want our children to do the right thing, especially... Read More
First there were Yuppies (Young Urban Professionals). Then came the... Read More
"In general my children refuse to eat anything that hasn't... Read More
We're all familiar with the over-indulgent parent. But there's another... Read More
Q: My husband and I are at a loss as... Read More
How would you like to have more time? Of course... Read More
What do you do when your child begins talking to... Read More
So you're going to become a father. Now is not... Read More
At age seven months in the womb, humans begin language... Read More
1. Encourage your babysitter by keeping their favorite foods/snacks on... Read More
If your child has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder then at... Read More
According to a September 2004 study by the RAND Corporation,... Read More
The popularity of EEG Biofeedback Training continues to grow both... Read More
WHEN AN INJURY HAPPENS AT CAMP, HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED... Read More
How many times have you flipped through the pages of... Read More
All too often, children with learning disabilities are seen through... Read More
It's no surprise that the self-image and self-esteem of overweight... Read More
Quite simply, an absolute nightmare for parents and babies alike,... Read More
Once, as a Learning Support Teacher, I made my way... Read More
Paula's last child had just gone off to college and... Read More
So, the thing is? I am feeling a little guilty.I... Read More
the woes of being a parent of an ADHD child.....Like... Read More
Although many children are picky eaters at some stage in... Read More
The cruel callous remarks made by our offspring can sometimes... Read More
Have you ever wondered why toys for babies tend to... Read More
The small, lilac colored hexagonal box, with Winnie the Pooh... Read More
KIDS AND THE NEWSMore than ever, children witness innumerable, sometimes... Read More
1. The Law of the BeastAs parents we need to... Read More
Now is an excellent time to have your child's vision... Read More
17 Quick Ways to Strengthen the Bonds of LoveOn Mother's... Read More
Oh Please, Don't Say Maybe!!!!Are you often a participant in... Read More
What would it be like to have a clone? What... Read More
Children are notoriously bad at drinking enough liquids. They are... Read More
The choices are mind numbing. Walk into any toy store... Read More
Is it hard to communicate with your teenager about issues... Read More
Many times, we are so conditioned in how we speak... Read More
It was no contest. Given a choice between a ball... Read More
Is your baby approaching his or her first birthday and... Read More
Criticism is punitiveOur children judge themselves on the opinions we... Read More
As parents, we strive to address all of the questions... Read More
Coupons can be a great tool in educating your child... Read More
Q. With another school year starting, we are not sure... Read More
John was a 43 year-old sales manager at a large... Read More
It used to strike me as odd - but really,... Read More
No matter how old your children are, you have an... Read More
Many families do not want to believe their child is... Read More
Emotional OverloadMany single parents say they deal with a variety... Read More
Parenting |