MLB and ADD/ADHD

quote:

I'm just very skeptical. I have seen, read and learned too much about the uncertainty in the diagnosis.

You have to be skeptical, are at least question it.
But when they do get it right, that student's life is greatly improved in the classroom.
Something they have been struggling with all there life, now seems like old hat.
JMO EH

I don't know why this subject matter is on a baseball message board, but I feel there are a few misconceptions that I need to address before I get off.

Pharmaceutical interventions should always be a last resort, but shouldn't they be tried before a special ed referral is made? I would say yes if the child cannot learn. Meds are proven to be effective in treating ADHD. I don't know any teachers that prescribe it, but most all can testify to the benefits. Putting your kid on drugs can be scary. Choose your doctors and your medicine wisely.

As EH notes, it's rarely about hyperactivity, those kind are usually seeking attention. It's because he/she is unable to filter out extraneous stimuli and cannot attend to task. Classroom management can handle the first type, not so much the second. Remember, a child needs to be educated in the least restrictive environment- that's not just a good idea, it's the law.

I would like to encourage anyone here who has issues with their public schools to spend some real time there, in the classroom, and learn first hand what's actually going on. It may surprise, it may disappoint, but it surely will shed light on some of the the issues that face teachers today.

Hi there, my 11 1/2 year old son has ADHD and is a very good ball player. He is particularly good at fielding-he has been told by many, many coaches that he has a “golden glove”. As he puts it, “I don’t even think about it, my body just goes where it needs to go.” He has ultra fast reflexes as well-I can’t help but see the two as related. see more!

I am not buying the ADD stuff, and I have children that I know would be/could be diagnosed.

I believe there are gifts at work here, but sometimes the gifts that adults want to open are not the gifts that some of our children are prepared to offer, so we drug them to promote the gifts our society accepts.

The areas that ADD/ADHD drugs address are areas that would discourage physical acuity. Not everyone is a mathematician or surgeon. Some are warriors, welders, or plumbers. These carreer paths are equally rewarding and lucrative, particularly as the owner of a business that employs like minded skilled tradesmen.

I also believe that ball players benefit from some of the "symptoms" of ADD/ADHD.

quote:

Originally posted by theEH:

quote:

I'm just very skeptical. I have seen, read and learned too much about the uncertainty in the diagnosis.

You have to be skeptical, are at least question it.
But when they do get it right, that student's life is greatly improved in the classroom.
Something they have been struggling with all there life, now seems like old hat.
JMO EH

I concur EH, with your statement above but fully encourage skepticism. I do believe that in many cases both the issue itself and the treatment have been over diagnosed and prescribed!

Prime Jr's problem was caught early by some very experienced educators. Independently tested and diagnosed as ADHD at about age eight. I did my research and viewed just about all his symptoms as nothing more than particular personality traits (same as Dad's!). Mom, the trained educator, convinced me that this was her's, and the other professionals involved, area of expertise and said we need to go the medication route, albeit with a definite exit strategy.

I believe he was on medication (not Ritalin) for about one school year. During that time he learned coping strategies and was able to "catch-up" with his reading skills. As a side note, his "focus" on the baseball field was noticeably better when medicated. However, once it was determined that we should take him offer the medication "and see how he does," he never needed to go back. Graduated with high SAT's, and is a 4.0 GPA college scholar, while playing baseball!

Those traits that seemed to hinder classroom learning are indeed positives on any "field of competition!"

I presently have two kids on two different college campuses. From what my kids tell me and from talking to other parents, many of whom see no problem with it, that there is a very, very large number of kids taking addorall for nothing more than two reasons. Focusing on studies and losing weight. That's it. No ADD or whatever. They simply tell their doctor they can't focus on their studies and are handed their prescription. I understand there is a national shortage on this drug due to the ease of getting a prescription with NO diagnoses. Seems to me the kids who really need this med are getting short changed by the students who eat it like candy just to drop a few pounds.

My son also has ADHD. Adderal works wonders for his concentration and ability to function in a classroom. However, Adderral slows eveything down for those with ADHD. It makes your reactions slower. He removes his patch at least 2 hours before games and refuses to wear it during weekends when he plays. It works for him and makes baseball more difficult. Slowed reactions, slowed mental processes. Better focus but the ballfield has always been the only place he could focus. If you truly have ADHD, the cure hurts your performance on the field. Plus the side effects of low appetite affects weight and muscle gain. I wish he never had to take it.

Shelby,
We have tried many different medicines and dosages. It took over a year to find the right one. Adderral is the only one that worked without side effects except loss of appetite and slowed reactions. Two things that usually happen. The other meds either induced migraines or serious stomach ailments. Its the best we could find and it truly helps in the classroom. He was diagnosed pre puberty but someone(me) refused to medicate my son until 4 years later when school became next to impossible.

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