Brain matures a few years late in ADHD, but follows normal pattern

EurekAlert ^ | 12-Nov-2007 | multiple

[Wonder Warthog]

Of course, what this really proves is that the students with ADHD should be grouped together, and taught with different methods, rather than being “mainstreamed” all together.

[Blogger]

Needs a patient teacher too.

[Lexington Green]

Can we still addict them to pharmaceuitical drugs? Will Ritalin sales suffer?

[ari-freedom]

“Brain imaging is still not ready for use as a diagnostic tool in ADHD,” noted Shaw. “Although the delay in cortex development was marked, it could only be detected when a very large number of children with the disorder were included. It is not yet possible to detect such delay from the brain scans of just one individual. The diagnosis of ADHD remains clinical, based on taking a history from the child, the family and teachers.”
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That’s a big problem that many people pose. We need an objective diagnosis before giving out medicine to kids

[ari-freedom]

I want to clarify. If the kid is running into walls that’s an extreme clear case and obviously should be treated.

but in today’s society of tv, liberal teachers and parenting methods, we shouldn’t rely on medicine as a quick fix for wholesale behavioral problems.

[Myrddin]

Of course, what this really proves is that the students with ADHD should be grouped together, and taught with different methods, rather than being “mainstreamed” all together.

"Mainstream" is administrator speak for "we're throwing in the towel" or "we need to make room for kids that are relatively more screwed up". At 27, my oldest still has ADHD problems. The San Diego school system did a pretty good job. He has about half his college courses completed toward a degree in geology, but his capacity to handle multiple classes is dragging the process out. My youngest is 20. He has ADHD too, but the Idaho schools failed him in 8th grade (when we moved from San Diego). He seems to be reaching a point where is a ready to launch on academic issues.

[crazyshrink]

we shouldn’t rely on medicine as a quick fix for wholesale behavioral problems.
****************

There you have it in a nutshell. Today’s medical model, as well as parent’s demands, etc., promote treating the symptom, and less the cause. Fix lil Johnny/Susie NOW!

I do not agree however, that the cause here is behavioral. But rather a slight biological anomaly in the brain which reduces the child’s executive functioning. IMO, the behavioral issues are the symptom.

[Old Sarge]

ADHD Bump for later... if I remember...

[Myrddin]

My oldest had ADHD so bad that he was kicked out of kindergarten on the 3rd day of school. Medication wasn't an option as he had a severe sub-aortic stenosis and was scheduled for open heart surgery to fix it. After the surgery, we tried ritalin for about 3 weeks. It was of marginal help. Moving to a special ed class with a teacher prepared to handle ADHD was a more satisfactory approach.

His attention deficit was so bad that he walked right into a swimming pool at a family Easter gathering. His attention was focused across the yard and not on the ground immediately of ahead. He just passed his written exam for a driver's license last week. I'm still reticent to turn him loose in 2000 lb vehicle on a city street. The license is for supervised driving, not by himself. He needs a "safety" driver to keep him situationally aware at this stage.

[Conservativegreatgrandma]

IF these patients are already on drugs that may stunt growth, could it be the drugs that are causing the delay? I don’t remember ADD, ADHD, etc. when I was a kid. I can’t believe this is all due to improved methods of diagnosis.

[neverdem]

Brain Matures a Few Years Late in ADHD, But Follows Normal Pattern

The press release has figures and a link to a Video, MP4 File.

The PNAS article or abstract isn't available yet.

[SatinDoll]

This is terrific! This means that kids with ADHD or ADD have brains that are still soaking up information like sponges and GROWING, while their normal peers are pruning neurons in their brains which have CEASEd growing.

[crazyshrink]

Thank you. The schematics were in the article I posted but didn’t see a link to the video. Thanks again.

[cinives]

so, dammit, it’s not a disease, FGS !!!!! Why do they think it still needs to be “fixed” ?

[cinives]

yes, yes, yes. To me this is just further proof that so-called ADHD is not a “disease”.

[cinives]

Years ago the kids could finish school at 8th grade and go out and get a job that would support them for life - mechanic, tradesman, assembly line work, or whatever - but in today’s world, that’s not possible, unfortunately.

[crazyshrink]

I work in the field of ADD/ADHD and don’t believe it is a disease. ADHD, alcoholism, etc. are trying to be classified as diseases in order to tap into the insurance market...based on the medical model...where the money is.

[cinives]

You are probably one of a few in your profession who’s not a true believer ... I salute you.

[crazyshrink]

There are a few of us. But in a highly liberal profession other voices are often “less heard”. Kinda like the “consensus” in global warming.

I also have disdain for general psych med use believe it or not. Being a psychologist, I cannot prescribe meds, only psychiatrists (MD’s) or med Dr’s can.