Reddit mentions: The best children disorders learning books

2. What’s the distinction between ADD and ADHD? Which one do I have?

“ADD”, Attention Deficit Disorder, is the label given in the DSM III to the non-hyperative/impulsive variant of ADHD. When the DSM IV was published in 1994, the ADD label had been discarded, and presented three subtypes of ADHD: Predominantly Inattentive, (you have poor attention but you’re not very hyperactive,) Predominantly Hyperactive/Impulsive, (you’re hyperactive and/or impulsive but don’t have as many problems with attention) or Combined type, (you’ve got it all!). The term “ADD” is now technically defunct, but it continues to be used in the media and by the general public out of habit, ignorance, and probably a desire to cut out one syllable.

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3. My friend gave me some Adderall to try and it made an incredible difference! Does this mean I have ADHD?

No. You might have ADHD, but this is not a good way to tell. ADHD medication will affect most people very similarly to drinking a few cups of coffee. Again, the only official way to tell that you have ADHD is to be diagnosed by a doctor. If don’t have access to a doctor, an honest and objective self-analysis, using the DSM IV’s criteria is the most effective self-test you can administer. Additionally, get someone who knows you very well, preferably since your early childhood, to evaluate you using the same criteria, since you may not be aware of or remember your own behaviors.


4. I’m pretty sure I have ADHD. How do I get diagnosed?

For all intents and purposes, you can and should get diagnosed by a psychiatrist, your family doctor, or a psychologist. The latter cannot prescribe medication, but is cheaper than some other options. Neurologists can also diagnose you, but are expensive and probably unnecessary to seek out. Therapists, social workers and the rest can offer an informed opinion but will refer you to a doctor for an official diagnosis.

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5. My family won’t accept that I may have ADHD, thinks ADHD is a big scam, won’t pay for my medication, etc. What should I do?

I encourage you to post on the boards about it if you’re in a situation like this, but here is the preliminary advice I’d give to everyone to start: most importantly, if you haven’t actually talked to your family yet because you’re afraid to, it’s probably best that you try. Sometimes your stuffy old parents may surprise you. Secondly, if you’ve tried but are met with stubbornness, you’re going to have to take it upon yourself to help educate yourself and your family about this disorder. Make sure you all know the important facts, such as the point that ADHD is a genetic problem; this is the position agreed upon by the overwhelming majority of the medical community. It is listed in the DSM IV and has strict criteria for diagnosis. Having ADHD says nothing about your intelligence, except that people who have ADHD statistically trend towards being more intelligent than those who don’t. The often-encountered statement, “you’re too smart to have ADHD” is insufferably ignorant.


6. What are my alternatives to traditional medication?

Dr. Kenny Handelman gives a pretty satisfactory summary of the alternatives to proper medication in his book, Attention Difference Disorder. To be clear, the predominant view of this subreddit is that the most effective way to treat ADHD is by following the procedures of the medical community. Almost all “alternative” treatments remain absent from doctors’ lists of recommendations because their efficacy is not supported by evidence that meets scientific standards. Typically there’s no harm in trying them anyway in addition to your doctor-prescribed meds, (but always ask your doctor to be sure), but I strongly oppose recommending such treatments in leiu of regular medication.


7. What side-effects do people experience from these medications?

The wikipedia articles for each drug have comprehensive lists of side-effects.


8. What medication should I try?
More on this coming at a later date.


9. Does anyone else feel this way?

Whatever would stand in for “this” in your question, the answer is probably yes. More coming later.


10. Got any more tips for me?

Yes. Check out our big list of resources and recommended reading!

(If such a thing doesn't exist yet, it's on the way!)

The type of work that suits dyslexic people tend to be more practical work. My husband is dyslexic and earns a good living from working with machines. My eldest is good at art and working with others in collaborative roles in practical jobs. My middle child is dyslexic and is even better at art and also a musician. My son is still young but he's wanting to go into engineering or something to do with machines as well, but he is also good at sailing and swimming. I've helped my kids explore different activities and find what they're good at, what they're passionate about, or have talent in. It's pretty important for a dyslexic person to find their niche, to stay competitive compared to non-dyslexics. Pretty difficult to beat the neurotypical people at what they don't struggle with.

I recommend you read The Gift of Dyslexia by Ronald Davis https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0399535667/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_-oUwDb70GRGBW

Please don't stress yourself out with trying to read so many hours a day every day. It may be counterproductive. 🙁 But whatever you do choose to do in the end, I hope it goes well for you. All the best 🤗

This is a copy paste of an email I've sent a couple of friends. My child has dyslexia and I found these resources useful. The Amazon links are not affiliate links or anything, just links to the books. The first two books were especially intersting and useful, and will apply even as an adult!

Dyslexic Advantage - by Brock and Fernette Eide


Overcoming Dyslexia - by Sally Shaywitz - the first part of the book is the most interesting - it's the science of dyslexia - the second is strategies for teaching/learning


Some other books:
I read them all - at least mostly - but I can't separate the info in my memory to remember which was best at what

• http://www.amazon.com/Bright-Kids-Who-Cant-Keep/dp/1609184726
  
• http://www.amazon.com/The-Dyslexia-Empowerment-Plan-Confidence/dp/0345541235
  
• http://www.amazon.com/Smart-but-Scattered-Revolutionary-Executive/dp/1593854455
  
• http://www.amazon.com/Right-Brained-Children-Left-Brained-World-Unlocking/dp/0684847930
  
  Some good websites:
  
  
• http://dyslexia.yale.edu/
  
• http://www.davidsongifted.org/db/Articles_id_10435.aspx
  
• http://www.dyslexia.com/library/symptoms.htm
  
• https://www.understood.org/en
  
• https://www.understood.org/en/tools/tech-finder
  
• http://www.dyslexiaresourcegroup.com/
  
• http://dyslexia.yale.edu/EDU_signs.html < the yale site is good in general
  

Have you thought about having her evaluated by an Occupational Therapist for Sensory Processing Issues? My son (7) is like that, too. Someone recommended that to me and his therapy is awesome. Also, I have read books - Raising a Sensory Smart Child is a great one. I always had this idea that Occupational Therapy was for kids with physical disabilities, like physical therapy. I had no idea what sensory issues were. But now I understand that his constant movement is his attempt to feel where his body is in space.

Have you read The Gift of Dyslexia?

I haven't read the Dyslexic Advantage, but I can say that the Gift of Dyslexia was an awesome read.

Hey, I can't oppose this one. I am dyslexic myself, and couldn't read properly until I was about 20 years old, when I found this book The Gift of Dyslexia and read it – slowly and painfully. Have you read it?

The reviews are mixed, and admittedly it's not terribly scientific at points, but it helped me tremendously, and I can't really argue with that. I read approximately zero books before that, and hundreds of books since!

Project funded! Good luck!

Did the OT offer any sensory based assessments? There is a Sensory Profile, which can be helpful in explaining some of the sensory quirks. I ask my clients to fill it out because it really breaks down what areas (such as defensive to touch, craving movement, defensive to sounds, emotionally reactive etc) are out of the typical range and help me see what areas need the immediate attention.

I have been reading Raising a Sensory Smart Child and i find it to be an easy read, especially for parents.

I know The Out of Sync Child is also a commonly suggested book, I just haven't read it yet.

Also..you ask what's wrong with wanting clean hands. Nothing really, unless that dislike for messy play interefers with his play and interactions. Sensory issues are fine until they get in the way of life. A kid with tactile defensiveness may have it so bad he can't handle hair cuts, nail trimming, etc. A kid who craves movement and can't sit down to play with one game, or sit through one book or circle time in school. .. that's the problem.

Haha yes! But the UK reviews for the recent edition are positive. Anyway. This particular tip about night weaning helped us a lot!

I highly recommend this book . It may clear up some things for you. Good luck.

Also so many mental health professionals are either ignorant or have horrible outdated ideas about adhd, especially about adhd in girls.

Love it. I've been reading Mindset over the past few weeks and it's really changed how I talk to my 8 year-old son about his school work.

Couple this book with The Learning Habit if you're raising young students.

It was this one. It's geared towards parenting girls with ADHD but it goes through the stages of girls in elementary through college and has anecdotes from women who weren't diagnosed until adulthood and what they wish people did differently in their childhood.

What’s the difference to this? https://www.amazon.com/Petersons-Colleges-Disabilities-Attention-Disorders/dp/156079853X

I'd argue that Sabriel and Girls Like Us didn't have romance, but I can think of more adult examples. Even in the narrower "adult books that appeal to YA readers" category.

Need ideas for activities? Need to differentiate? Differentiation in Action is like my freakin' Bible. Go buy this, and use it.

Also, go buy Setting Limits in the Classroom. I read this book between my 2nd and 3rd year of teaching, where I was still struggling to get my classroom management down. I used a lot of these techniques this year, and just got the highest level of proficiency in classroom management on my review. The techniques work!

Pacifiers can mean more to some children than others. "Normal" kids can go without. Sensory kids need something to chew or suck on, and taking that away can cause problems. And also, the pacifier can fill a void when sleeping along.

https://www.amazon.com/Raising-Sensory-Smart-Child-Definitive/dp/0143115340

By the way, is there really any scientific evidence that pacifiers cause crooked teeth? I've heard this many times, but I never verified it. Anyone?

By the way, 2.5 is not that old. Don't push it. I know plenty of parents that allowed their kid to have a pacifier to 5 or 6 and then, one day, the kid just gave it up. They didn't report any issues that stemmed from this.

Take a deep breath and do some homework before you fall into the trap of thinking that it must be wrong and has to be stopped.