I just got a warning at a non-adoption and non-parenting related bulletin board for telling people they were saying ignorant and uninformed things about ADHD. I suggested they read non-biased books and websites about it...and apparently some people thought that was insulting.

Sigh.

Well, maybe I should not have suggested they were ignorant. But they were. They were parroting myths about ADHD that are widespread and just plain wrong...

Like this:

ADHD is caused by bad parenting.
No, it's a neurochemical imbalance.

ADHD is caused by too much sugar in the diet.
No, it's a neurochemical imbalance. No doubt that feeding your chil nutritious, non processed food will make him or her feel better, but that's not why he/she has ADHD.

Kids are naturally high energy. If they are "too" energetic it means they are not getting enough exercise.
Certainly exercise can help kids with ADHD, but since it's a neurochemical imbalance it won't cure it...

Stimulant medication is putting a band-aid on the problem and doesn't get to the root.
ADHD can be genetic or caused by something that happened while the mother was pregnant. How are we to get to the "root" of that problem? Maybe in the future we'll be able to do that, but not right now. And since ADHD is a neurochemical imbalance I'd say medication is getting to the root of the problem, at least partially.

ADHD can be cured by behavioral modification. They don't need the meds.
Well, certainly children who have ADHD can benefit greatly through behavior modification techniques. And if you choose not to medicate your child it's your perogative. But if, as has been stated, ADHD is a neurochemical imbalance, and if, as Russell Barkley says in Taking Charge of ADHD, ADHD means the brain's neurons are not processing information fast enough, then giving the person with ADHD will help the brain do its best. I, personally, want my child to have as easy a time of it as possible...so I choose to give the meds.

Ha! It's nice to have my own private soapbox from which to pontificate. Take that, other bulletin board! Just try to disagree with me! I'll delete you! (Just kidding, I won't delete you even if you don't agree with me. I'm better than that other board...)