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 A free newsletter by BJ Madewell 

DIAGNOSIS ADD ADHD Now What?
Published 10th, 20th & 30th of each month

PLEASE SEE DISCLAIMER AT THE END OF THIS DOCUMENT!

October 20, 2002

I had a great time presenting at the Governor's Conference on the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect. 

My workshop was well attended = about 35-40 people I'd guess.

Below are the results from the survey I sent out a while ago. Many of you emailed me wanting the results. So, here they are. Admittedly, the sample is SMALL. 21 people responded.  Eleven of those were not diagnosed/treated adult ADDers so they did not respond to the questions relating to adult ADDers.

A few selected- edited to protect identities - comments sent in w/ the survey are posted at the end of the survey results. They are quite enlightening! 

  Words from the TRENCHES!  

1. Diagnosed and treated children w/ ADHD suffer emotional/verbal abuse from adults (teachers, parents, general public).

2 UNDIAGNOSED and/or UNTREATED children w/ ADHD suffer emotional/verbal abuse from adults (teachers, parents, general public).

3. As an Adult w/ diagnosed and treated ADHD, I have to "work at" not emotionally or verbally abusing my spouse/significant other.

4. As an Adult w/ diagnosed and treated ADHD, I have to "work at" not emotionally or verbally abusing my children.

5. As an Adult w/ diagnosed and treated ADHD, I have seriously thought about (or actually) physically abused my spouse or child (ran).

6. As an Adult w/ diagnosed and treated ADHD, I was emotionally/verbally abused as a child.

7. As an Adult w/ diagnosed and treated ADHD, I was physically/sexually abused as a child.

8. UNDIAGNOSED and/or UNTREATED children, youth, and adults w/ ADHD suffer PHYSICAL abuse from adults and or peers.

9. UNDIAGNOSED and/or UNTREATED ADDers - children, youth, and adults -are more prone to inflict emotional/verbal abuse on others than
DIAGNOSED and treated ADDers.

10. UNDIAGNOSED and/or UNTREATED ADDers - children, youth, and adults - are more prone to inflict physical abuse on others than DIAGNOSED and treated ADDers.

A few comments respondents sent it ....

Stress of any form can lead to many different forms of abuse.

I am a teacher of students many of which have either diagnosed or suspected ADD/ADHD.  I think that often times the impulsivity that may come along with such a condition, makes one prone to do things others would not understand.  Traditionally, one who might act in an impulsive manner is thought to have more control over their actions than some do. That could lead to abuse to others or others to abuse them. 

I am an assistant principal in an elementary school. We have approximately 25 children who are diagnosed and take medication. I often have to deal with behaviors that I know are directly related to the child’s ADHD and their teachers' unwillingness to accept the fact that THESE CHILDREN ARE DIFFERENT!  It is very difficult to convince a teacher that this is a disorder - Sometimes I wish that there were some physical sign of ADHD.  Maybe then, teachers would believe that it really exists

My connection with ADHD is that I have it, have been treated for it and struggle with it on a daily basis.  I have a PhD and KNOW all the right things to do, however it is most difficult to not be impulsive and impatient with my family. Everybody seems too slow for me and I am constantly "hurrying" them up. I just function in hyper drive!  I was often physically abused by my father who never understood me.  I could never live up in his eyes.  Even now with a PhD he doubts my college, my degree, and my profession. 

I have been to therapy and am MUCH better now that I understand my disability, but I still have my moments when my family just stays out of my way.  I try on a daily basis to improve myself - it's just damned hard. 

I am a diagnosed and treated Adder, my 10 yr old is a diagnosed and treated ADDer, my husband is a diagnosed and NOT treated ADDer, AND---I have been a school psychologist for over 20 years.

As an adult with ADHD you have tendencies to react emotionally & when situations become stressful--it would be easy to have the ADHD tendencies such as yelling, striking out, & etc.  However, not all children or adults with ADHD strike out.

ALL people have within them the same ugly ideas and feelings that we do.  But THEIR Brains have filters that are so good that the ugly stuff is filtered out long before the thoughts and crud even reach the person's awareness; while those of us with ADD, equipped with the same set of feelings and thoughts, find ourselves having said and done things we had no idea or plan to do or say, AND having to take responsibility for it (if I said it, its mine; if I did it, it's mine), which is a heavy load especially for children.

I consider ADD/ADHD to be a Positive trait, and don't feel I have either a Deficit or a Disorder. If anyone has a "deficit" or a "disorder” it’s "normal" people who tend to be Multiple Thought Impaired (MTI). Isn’t that a deficit and a disorder too?? I consider the labeling of people (and kids in particular) negatively is in itself extremely abusive!!

Every day is a battle, I have a strong faith in God, but it is tested to the limits everyday.  I do not abuse my children physically, because I recognized that possible "tendency" early on.  I do my best not to verbally/emotionally abuse, but when it comes down to it, just pointing out the facts continuously on a day to day basis, and some of the times up to 10 times a day, ending up yelling, I am sure that is considered abusive isn't it??

In my case, medications have taken care of any tendency to think about physically abusing anyone.

PLEASE VISIT MY WEBSITE

www.addchoices.com

When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.

DISCLAIMER

This information is for educational purposes only. Much of then information is from classes and workshops I've taken during my 25+ years of working with ADD & ADHD students - sprinkled with my own comments, thoughts and insights

Some information is acquired from the INTERNET. Be aware that not all information on the WWW is accurate. Use your own judgment. This information is not intended to replace information from your doctor, therapist, lawyer, psychologist, nutritionist or psychiatrist. Consult your child's (or your own) doctor for additional input. 

Editor: BJ Madewell
Wichita, KS area
316-733-9532
FAX not available

Email ADDchoices@aol.com or ADDchoices@yahoo.com

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BJ Madewell