Rodney Dangerfield, the well-known actor/comedian, often said "I get no respect." The thought that came to my mind was ADHD gets no respect. That is certainly the conclusion one might reach after reading so many insidious statements that ADHD is not an authentic and debilitating disorder. Many of us, including this author, who work with children diagnosed with ADHD have no illusion about the reality and seriousness of this disorder.

Like many teachers, in todays educational settings, I come in daily contact with students diagnosed with various disabilities, including ADHD. Therefore I have a profound sense of resentment toward those who support the beliefs that ADHD is not a legitimate illness but nothing more than a label created specifically to absolve parents and teachers of their responsibility to manage uncontrollable children. However, I can understand how the uninformed and those who choose to view ADHD from a distance might easily be led astray. For example, many of us at some point exhibit some of the symptoms common of ADHD. We sometime get distracted, we have trouble finishing assigned work or completing other important tasks. On the other hand, children with ADHD are, in most case, less able to care for themselves, less able to behave appropriately in social setting; and less able to communicate on the same level as other children of the same age.

Phantom Symptoms

Final, for unknown reason, symptoms indicating the present of ADHD may temporarily be absent leading others to believe that the person with ADHD can control the behaviors. Also, a definite diagnosis is difficult because there are no tests that can consistently detect ADHD. A physician can only observe behaviors and offer a professional conclusion weather the child has ADHD. If a child is having trouble concentrating, or may be unwilling to cooperate on the day they see the doctor this could lead to an incorrect diagnosis. Therefore, it is very important that ADHD be diagnosed by health care professionals that specializes in these types of disorders with the help and cooperation of parents and teachers.

DeMarle D.J., Denk L., Ernsthausen C.S. (2003) Working with the Family of a Child with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Pediatric Nursing, Vol. 29 (4), 302-308.