ADHD or Misdiagnosis? - Advent Home Learning Center, Inc.

ADHD or Misdiagnosis?

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurological disorder affecting approximately 5% of American children. They are easily distracted, bored, depressed and have low concentration. Others are impulsive, hyperactive and have difficulty finishing tasks or remembering details.
I believe many children are actually misdiagnosed as having ADHD. Parents tell me about teachers who demand that disruptive students be suspended until a physician diagnoses them with ADHD and prescribes medication to keep them still. A lot of physicians willingly comply. Many students arrive at Advent Home taking between 2 to 14 different medications. I recognize that medication can be beneficial, nevertheless, it is often overemphasized, and the effective use of natural remedies and lifestyle changes are not viewed with the respect they deserve.

So when these boys come to AH, what is our approach?

Advent Home provides a minimum-distraction environment, plus a regulated, purposeful schedule of activities. Daily chores, work assignments, recreation in the fresh air and sunshine and a healthy diet help our boys feel better and greatly reduce their ADHD symptoms and need for so much medication.

Also, prior to AH, many of our students stayed up late watching TV and are too tired to wake up early for school the next day. Others have been bombarded with damaging distractions—harmful music, movies, computer games, hobbies and inappropriate relationships—which often produce ADHD-like symptoms.

Anger and frequent outbursts in tired, over-stimulated teens are often mislabeled as bi-polar disorder. At AH we conduct group sessions where our students freely express their feelings and receive constructive feedback on numerous issues. Caring attention and affection from AH staff help cultivate a sense of ‘home away from home’. As our boys feel more secure and learn to express their emotions, their anger diminishes.

I am convinced that many of today’s so-called ADHD symptoms are behaviors of wasted minds and tired bodies.

Work, regularity, outdoor activity, sleep, and a minimum-distraction environment are some of Nature’s best healing agents. And I strongly recommend them.