ADHD might not be the answer.

According to ADHD UK 3.62% of boys and 0.85% of girls aged between 5 – 15 years old are diagnosed with ADHD. This number is on the increase. However according to recent studies the diagnosis of ADHD could in fact, be mislabelling a child.

As parents we all want the best for our children and when things become difficult we look for answers. We speak to the professionals we follow their advice and trust that they understand the problem.

What if the professionals get it wrong? What if the behaviours our children demonstrate are a manifestation of other issues?

I have taught many children diagnosed with ADHD. However new research is changing the way professionals view and diagnose this. 

Since the 1990’s Doctors have been examining the effect of trauma in childhood and how it effects them in later life. They noticed a distinct similarity between the symptoms of ADHD and trauma. This has been gaining momentum as trauma awareness becomes more prevalent in schools and teachers are more knowledgeable on how we can help. 

Trauma is different for every child and personal to them. It is defined as something that negatively impacts on theiremotional and mental wellbeing. It can be a separation of parents, loss of a family member, domestic abuse, bullying or something else that has a profound effect, and as we all know children all deal with this in different ways. These are called Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE’s).

If a child experiences more than 3 ACE’s and does not receive the right support, they are 6 times more likely to have behavioural problems (identical to those with ADHD) and grow into adulthood with more risk of heart attacks, strokes, cancer, diabetes, chronic lung disease, IBS, eating disorders, asthma, and early death. 

Therefore, if not diagnosed properly children can develop lasting physical and mental health problems which can be avoided.

What does this have to do with ADHD?

According to the NHS website the signs of ADHD are:

These are the same symptoms for childhood trauma. Of course, a child is going to be angry/sad/unable to concentrate/have impulsivity issues if they are trying to make sense of the situations they have experienced, this is why professionals need to be and are starting to be more careful on what they are diagnosing.

One of the major treatments for ADHD is medication. However, when helping a child with trauma their physical symptoms are a product of a much deeper pain/need to be heard and understood. Therefore, medication is not going to help that child make sense of how they are feeling and could potentially prolong their feelings of hopelessness.

There is also the issue of Medication and the potential damage to the body long term. Recent studies have observed the effect of Ritalin on the body, and although this was carried out on prepubescent rats, they found that all of the rats taking Ritalin developed early Parkinson’s. As the NHS spends £200 million on ADHD medication each year, would we want to give this to a child who does not need it and will not help them?

Everyone experiences trauma in their childhood whether we define that as big or small. If we have a secure nurturing family most of us are able to process it and understand effectively. If a child doesn’t have the nurturing family supporting them then this is when the behaviours and feelings of being alone manifest. 

It is very easy to see how misdiagnoses can happen as everyone just wants to help the child and the close link to the behaviours of ADHD means more children have been diagnosed wrong than probably should. Hopefully with more research and understanding this will not be the case for much longer.

An accurate diagnosis sooner in childhood means they have a better chance in later life. Isn’t this what every parents want their children to have? A bright future