ADHD: What It Is, What It Isn't -- Keeping Kids Healthy

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): What It Is, What It Isn't - What's the difference between a rambunctious kid with lots of energy and a kid with ADHD? Host Dr. Winnie King takes us into the home of a family with an ADHD teenager, showing us what ADHD behaviors are and how they affect the family. Then find out from the experts what the symptoms are, how it's diagnosed, and what parents can do to advocate for their children who do have ADHD. For more information about how to handle and help a child with ADHD, see "ADHD in Children: How to Cope -- Keeping Kids Healthy"

[@jasongreek2342]

Speaking to the statement of adhd being overdiagnosed... while I'm sure there are people who are wrongly diagnosed with adhd, I doubt there are as many of those people as there are people who have adhd but were never diagnosed. And this is simply because it's so stigmatized and misunderstood by the general public. There's no reason people shouldn't have realized I had adhd when I was in elementary school. It's there plain as day on my report cards. Just because I had the hyperactivity beaten out of me with a wooden spoon and I grew up terrified to act out. I struggled terribly, despite the fact that I was miles ahead of my peers as far as understanding the curriculum. And the teachers knew it too. "He has so much potential, if he'd just apply himself and focus". But, because I wasn't failing, there was no action taken. If I would have ever had to actually study for any of my classes I surely would never have graduated. I could have been anything I wanted in life, and easily learned to be the top of my field. I know it. But I could never get the work done to get through school. Couldn't get organized. Couldn't stay on task. Couldn't motivate myself to do the mundane work, or if I managed to do it, I'd forget it, lose it, or not hand it in because I wasn't happy with it. I took a plumbing program at community College after high school. The instructor said I was one of the best students he ever had. I had top marks in the course even though I never studied for a minute and zoned out through most of the classes. But my transcript shows me in the lower end of middle of the road thanks to the "portfolio" portion of the mark, and the communications credit we all had to take. It took me twice as long as it should have to get my trade certification, because I couldn't get myself to go back to school. Now, 16 years later I'm in the field, outsmarting engineers on job sites. I don't regret... or resent the fact that I went undiagnosed for over 30 years. Knowing my childhood, I would never have gotten the kind of support I really would have needed even in the best scenario.

[@Hoykoy24]

What a great mother, cares so much for her children. I hope she gets the help her family needs

[@japanesecinema6736]

I was recently diagnosed ADHD - PI and I am 29 years old. I went through the first part of my life without knowing what was wrong with me. I didnt understand why I never could remember things growing up. Or why when I was pressed to write a paper in school I usually could only muster a page worth of words. Or why I would forget to write my name on a test before turning it in. Or maybe I listened to the teacher's instructions, but I just couldnt remember what they said. I remember in college, my professor told us to pick a poem out of our literature book and print it on paper. He specifically said not to the center align the poem. I mean how could one forget something like that. Well guess what I did... and you know what he did, he gave me an F because I couldnt follow directions. No excuses, I should have followed directions... but what if you cant? See, I think with me everything went unnoticed because I did not exhibit the signs of what people think adhd is. I was never a hyper child growing up nor did I have behaviour issues, but inside I was struggling with understanding why I was different or why I didnt know how to socialize with others. Let me tell you. Today is the first day that I began treatment. My doctor prescribed me 20mg of Adderall and for me even in the first day this medication has been life changing for me. I was able to speak freely and properly convey what I was trying to say to others. When my wife told me about her day I was able to engage and contribute to the conversation. I could remember what people told me without having to think about what was said. Prior to this I never really talked much because I couldnt engage in small talk because it took so much effort to be able to speak to others. And with me being primarily inattentive, when people would speak to me a lot of the times it felt as if they were speaking another language. It's as if I knew the words they were saying, but I couldnt piece them together to make meaning of what was being said. It's never too late to get help and you should not be afraid. We all deserve to be happy and successful.

[@kimberlyshelton5167]

You sound a lot like what I'm seeing in my 11 year old daughter. She has no behavioral issues. She is having trouble in school because she feels she has a thinking problem. We are going to see someone about this.

[@chellebreca779]

I just found out my son has AD/HD and it's a lot more than what people think. He's very intelligent but he can't put it down on paper. I am still learning to deal with it and it's been a challenge but I love him either way.

[@AirikAmandar]

ADHD is not related to intelligence! I think he cant write it because he tries to study the way other kids do! try for a month, tell him to: standup and walk if you like while reading out loud or read then role play as the teacher teaching it to himself or explain it to you! i wasn't diagnosed with ADHD until age 19 because i was the top student or within the top 3.

[@johnroekoek12345]

Funny you write it like AC/DC

[@mmandy5594]

I have a daughter (7) with adhd. She's constantly in movement, she has behavioral issues. For everyone who comments that a kid is a kid type responses, I'd love to see what they think with a kid with genuine adhd. Mine doesn't go to sleep until 11:30 at night, she creates noises and banging all night after we get her settled in for bed at 8pm. I can straighten her room 100% and in a few hours that room can be a disaster zone because her mind is on hyperdrive. It's taken a lot of time to understand her mindset and we're working on it.

[@lizethgonzalez8278]

M Lindmark have you tried dicipline? why would you allow her to go to bed so late? turn off the lights start your bed time at 8pm if you know its a journey. i have one hyperactive child but i must be on her constantly. she is 6 but is getting better with routine, hold your child accountable for her game. do you know gifted children are often misdiagnosed? dont give up! and dont allow this point in life drag you find solutions parents have a hard job 24/7 around the clock. keep working with you child. good luck! 😉

[@robloxjada61]

@@lizethgonzalez8278 Children with ADHD have a hard time sleeping

[@justinblack8812]

I got ADhD and ADD. I take medication (Ritalin) for it. I still am hyper, cant remember things, can't focus, sit down, struggle in school and all. But who gives a damn. There isn't anything I can do about it. I still get judged, still get yelled at, and treated like a kid gets treated. I hate it. I really hate it. Medication doesn't fix it man just helps a tad. On the contrary, I love it. It is a challenge I was born with and I try my best to get around it. It makes me work my ass off, harder than others, to be great. I make up quotes and even some raps about it. It is real. It is an ass, but I deal with it, and my goal is to kill it.

[@lorijeffrey3454]

justin black i use to take ritalin but it never work that good so i got a new med that work better

[@lorijeffrey3454]

justin black i use to take ritalin but it never work that good so i got a new med that work better

[@cynthiagreenhat4215]

I have it and I'm 22 was born with it and I like being hyper and Happy

[@jasminenalley9238]

I know that it is hard to go through.I have ADHD.

[@alicemiller9812]

I understand what you are going through

[@jeannina07]

I have a sibling with ADHD and life for him is hard

[@anthonystrohmayer9191]

He's now an adult with ADHD

[@johnroekoek12345]

11:53 Fidgeting or picking

[@CreatingChampionsForLife]

The mom shared a hidden secret around 3:30 to 4:00. The parent's role (for every child) is to realize that they will not be with their children all of their life. It is our job (the parents) to get them ready so they can be on their own. When you really think about it, we are all born with the core symptoms of ADHD. As we all grow, learn and develop our core set of life skills that will determine how quickly the symptoms of ADHD disappear. So food for thought! We can either a use this ADHD thing as crutch to share a good story and have others always pick up the slack for us. Or be open about the symptom(s) we are experiencing so we can find, learn and develop the matching life skill. This experience is so liberating but you will have no idea what it is like until you take the first step. Begin to keep your mindset on this setting: What can I do about it? - What does work for me now to build on?

[@kvinod3449]

please tell me what can we do about my son with ADHD.he is all ways playing video games & listening music.can we let him do or not.what can we do.

[@CreatingChampionsForLife]

k vinod I just saw your comment. If you are looking for ideas of what he can do. We have many to share, just click our picture and watch our videos for tips and techniques that can be of help for you and your family. It feels so good when you can find just one idea to make life a little bit better. As always, best wishes to anyone on this journey. Here to serve.

[@qazwerty123451]

k vinod i have adhd and asperger's but i cant tell which one this solves for me, but it does something right, just start talking to him about his video games and music and have conversations with him about it and then, when you find out about the games he plays, have a reward system for him where if he spends 10 minutes reading/doing homework give him 20 minutes to play video games, or 2 levels of his game (depending on what game he's playing), and then, when he gets comfortable with that, switch it to 20 minutes of homework= 10 minutes of video games, or 1 level, just make sure if the game is an rpg, where you do different stuff to gain levels, give him the minutes, but yea, i hope you appreciated this because i had to take 5 different 10 minute breaks from this soooo bye XD

[@hollyhowell935]

My child is 9 yrs old and has ADHD. She was diagnosed at the age of 4 yrs old. My husband and I both have college educations and we chose to homeschool our children, largely in part to our 9 yr old. We chose for her to NOT be on any medications for it. I don't believe ADHD is all " made up", for I have 4 children and there is a very big difference between her behavior and the others. She acts on every impulse that comes to her mind without thinking it through first. Between aggression towards her siblings ( hitting, slapping, spanking, etc.) , stealing, sleeping issues, forgetfulness, inability to sit still ever, extreme energy, competitiveness, and many other examples, she definitely had behavior issues that needed to be addressed. She is extremely bright, and a very sweet child, that is being taught to think through her impulses and react differently than she used to. I do agree that many children are being diagnosed with ADHD and are being medicated just to cure the hyperactivity, but that is not the case for ALL the children. It is a true disorder- I should know, my child has it.

[@michellerafuse6037]

He's probably really good at computer skills and there for set up a website to sell prints of his art. University isn't for everyone and as a parent you have a very gifted child. That's right he's over intelligent with multiple talents. Work with it mom he'll be financially fine.

[@michellerafuse6037]

Just notice this post is 8 years old! Can u post an update?

[@johnroekoek12345]

Now they find out a parent seems to have it too

[@Chloeluvsmusic1]

He seems to be dat there nicely .. If that was me I would be fidgeting all the time, and be loud whilst speaking!

[@ToeTicklingTimmy]

Chloeluvsmusic1 probably is very well medicated

[@alicemiller9812]

I have adhd and it makes my life hell

[@lisamillar3938]

Can I ask how it makes your life hell?? My son has ADHD. He's almost 11 and it's been a rollercoaster.. last year was the worst. He's very argumentative and an emotional wrek . Has anxiety about sickness. Would just like to hear back from someone who actually has it and is an adult now. Thanks :)

[@jeannina07]

😭😭

[@lorijeffrey3454]

Jeannine James i have adhd to and it hard sometime remember things the next day

[@Stimpychick87]

What a hairstyle on the girl :0

[@fapplejacks2736]

I have it i had a very troubled life so far im 15 now Somtimes im Depressed As fuck my social skillz suck i take 100mg of focolin everyday it makes me feel high as fuck and like im on speed or some shit its like a very high Raggae momment lol whatever i dont give a fuck im a phsyco nobody cares

[@hannahrose3114]

If you're feeling that way on your meds, you really need to talk to whoever prescribed them to you. I took Ritalin and it continually made me feel a lot like you described. I told my Doc, he gave me a lower dosage, and I started to feel fine.

[@lorijeffrey3454]

Hannah Rose Interviews i would think about a new med that works

[@beckstern7738]

ah at least I can't get drafted cuz my adhd