Between 1990 and 1998, more than 5 million children and adults were diagnosed with ADHD. Of those 5 million, some are likely to be gifted children who were misdiagnosed.

Writer Suki Wessling addressed the misdiagnosis of gifted children in a Jan 21 article on examiner.com:

Many parents of gifted children are familiar with Dabrowskis theory of overexcitability in gifted people. However, teachers, therapists and family doctors are unlikely to have any knowledge or practical training in this area &

"Gifted children, many of who are also asynchronous (developing at different rates in different areas) encounter difficulties conforming to expectations, have behavior problems due to boredom, or otherwise struggle in a school setting," explains [Mike] Gustavson. ...

It's to clear to those who work with the gifted, however, that many of the physicians and mental health professionals prescribing ADHD drugs are probably dealing with, and not recognizing, gifted children.

"One of the things that I'm working with them on this is to try to educate pediatricians and family practitioners and nurse practitioners as well as psychologists," says [author James T. Webb, founder of Supporting the Emotional Needs of the Gifted]. "Other than Wright State University, there just aren't graduate programs that specialize in training psychologists about the gifted."

Labels: misdiagnosis, gifted children

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Children who have sensory issues often seek out more and more stimulation. They won't sit still in class, they're disruptive, talk loudly and chew non-food items.

"The behavior gets many kids mislabeled as having ADHD, Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Yoder says. But instead, they are having difficulty regulating the information taken in through their senses. The nervous system either overreacts or underreacts to what's going on around them. At either extreme - craving stimulation or avoiding it - the problem can be a sensory processing disorder that disrupts a child's daily life."

Extremes include craving loud music or other loud noises, a child who's nearly oblivious to his surroundings, or one who's such a picky eater that he gags when he smells food he doesn't like. A child who's displaying these types of behaviors should be evaluated by someone who's qualified to make distinction between ADHD and sensory issues.

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Labels: behavior, misdiagnosis, stimulation

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Vision problems that go undetected and untreated can cause children to display ADHD-like symptoms. Due to the similarities, some children are being diagnosed with ADHD when - in reality - it's their eyes that are causing the trouble.

"A recent study by researchers at the Children's Eye Center, University of San Diego, uncovered a relationship between a common vision disorder, convergence insufficiency, and ADHD. The study 'showed that children with convergence insufficiency are three times as likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than children without the disorder.'"

The new research supports existing opinions that vision problems are often found in children with learning disabilities. Parents are encouraged to have their children's eyesight tested if they're struggling in school. Read more at Canada.com.

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Labels: misdiagnosis, learning_disabilites, eyesight

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In an essay appearing March 17 in The Lancet, Franco Benazzi, MD, PhD, writes about a common but poorly recognized form of bipolar disorder, called bipolar disorder II. Because the disorder is so often misdiagnosed, patients are often wrongly treated with antidepressants alone, which can make the problem worse, the professor of psychiatry tells WebMD.

Labels: misdiagnosis, studies, bipolar_disorder

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Bipolar disorder and ADHD have several characteristics in common. High energy, difficulty focusing, and fidgeting are just some of the similarities. Because of this, bi-polar disorder is sometimes misdiagnosed.

The biggest issue with misdiagnosis is mistreatment for the actual problem. If you are bi-polar, it could get much worse over time if it is left untreated. ADHD often settles down as the person ages and can be treated very easily with certain medications and/or diet changes. Bi-polar patients need much different treatments with much stronger medications. [Source: Helium]

A child who exhibits some of the common symptoms should be carefully diagnosed by a medical professional who’s experienced in diagnosing and treating both conditions.

Labels: misdiagnosis, bipolar_disorder

Posted By: 4ADHD.com 1 Comment