Should we as educators consider attention deficit disorder with or withot
hyperactivity alongside of other behavior disorder categories or should it be a separate one ?
Re: ADD verses ADHD
I tend to agree with your objection, yet sitting here thumbing through the DSM-IV, they don’t fit in with the emotion- and mood-related disorders. The ADHD diagnosis checklist is based on behaviors, but maybe it shouldn’t be in the DSM …
Rats, gotta run, my 5:30 appointment is here.
John
Educationally....
ADD/ADHD falls under OHI in IDEA law. It is a chronic disorder.
Other Health Impaired (OHI) - having limited strength, vitality or alertness, including heightened alertness to environmental stimuli, that results in limited alertness with respect to the educational environment, that;
* Is due to chronic or acute health problems such as asthma, attention deficit disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, diabetes, epilepsy, heart condition, hemophilia, lead poisoning, leukemia, nephritis, rheumatic fever, sickle cell anemia and others; that
* Adversely affects a student’s educational performance
I object to ADD or ADHD being qualified as a behavior disorder. Under IDEA they both fall under OHI (Other Health Impaired) and require treatment as such. Brain disorders are not under the control of the person who has them. While they can learn techniques to minimize the effects of the disorder, it is still a difference in the brain and how it functions. Since the brain is a major organ, this is a health/medical issue.
It is also important to have thorough evaluations done. There are many other disorders and learning differences that can mimic ADD or ADHD symptoms. Weeding these out can often be very helpful in figuring out what each student needs.
I am a parent of a bipolar/adhd child and an add/inattentive type child. My younger sister has adhd, i have nieces and nephews with add/adhd. I also am a parapro who works with LD kids.