5 Myths about ADHD and Children/Adolescents- (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)
Myth #1- ADHD in children and adolescents is caused by poor parenting and environmental factors.
Fact- Research supports the fact that ADHD has a strong hereditary component. It is not uncommon to find one parent or family member (sibling, aunt, uncle, or even a grandparent) with ADHD symptoms. It is true that the environment can directly support or hinder the functioning of a child/adolescent with ADHD but does not cause ADHD. MRI scans demonstrate the differences between the brain makeup of children/adolescents with ADHD compared to children/adolescents without ADHD. Click on the link to learn more about the causes of ADHD.
https://chadd.org/about-adhd/the-science-of-adhd/
Myth#2-Children/Adolescents with ADHD always choose to misbehave and/or engage in disruptive behavior.
Fact- Children/adolescents with ADHD experience deficits with basic executive functioning skills such as organization, time management, study skills, following directions and managing impulses. It is true that we should not use ADHD as an excuse for children to misbehave, but we can more effectively manage problematic behaviors with the understanding that the struggles are scientifically based. Treatment includes the incorporation of specific strategies to teach executive functioning skills. Click on the link to learn more about the reasons why children/adolescents may misbehave and/or engage in disruptive behaviors.
https://www.healthcentral.com/article/children-with-adhd-symptoms-vs-misbehaviors
Myth#3-Children/Adolescents diagnosed with ADHD will outgrow the diagnosis as they enter adulthood.
Fact- A majority of individuals diagnosed with ADHD in childhood/adolescence will continue to experience symptoms of the diagnosis into adulthood. This is why it is important for children and adolescents with a diagnosis of ADHD to learn skills/strategies that can be carried with them into adulthood. In addition, early diagnosis and management of ADHD is crucial to help prevent the occurence of comorbid diagnoses such as depression and anxiety. Click on the link below to learn more about managing an ADHD diagnosis into adulthood.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-truisms-wellness/201606/can-you-grow-out-adhd
Myth#4-Medication is the ONLY treatment that really helps control symptoms of ADHD.
Fact-It is true that medication is one of the main treatments typically used with children ages 6 and above but the implementation of behavior modification is an effective modality to use when alleviating the symptoms of ADHD. Behavior modification includes a large amount of parent training/tips to improve interactions and therefore relationships with their ADHD child. In addition, behavior modification also incorporates specific behavior plans that parents and schools can consistently follow to assist the child/adolescent with the development of executive functioning skills. Click on the link to learn more about the use of behavior modification as a treatment for children/adolescents with ADHD.
https://childmind.org/article/behavioral-treatments-kids-adhd/
Myth#5- The child/adolescent with ADHD will always demonstrate behaviors such as inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity.
Fact- ADHD symptoms/behaviors are divided into two types; inattentive type behaviors and hyperactive type behaviors. Inattentive behaviors consist of things such as being easily distracted, disorganized and being forgetful. Hyperactive behaviors consist of fidgeting, excessive talking and always moving around. It is possible for a child/adolescent to be identified as having only one of these types but typically they experience symptoms from both of the categories. Click on the link to learn more about the types of ADHD.
https://childmind.org/guide/what-parents-should-know-about-adhd/