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Free tools in this month's newsletter (see below for downloads):
Free Teleconference • October 13, 2004 8:30-9:30 PM If you would like to sign up for a free subscription to ADHD Research Updates, a newsletter authored by Dr. Rabiner, click here. Dr. Phil Got It Right (and Wrong) On ADHD In the past few years there seems to have been less sensationalism and more acceptance of ADHD as a neurobehavioral disorder that is best treated with a combination of medication, psychosocial interventions, classroom accommodations and teacher and parent education. It has taken a long time to reach this point, that is why the September 28, 2004 Dr. Phil Show was a disappointment. Dr. Phil ran a segment entitled "Parenting with Pills," which featured families whose children had been diagnosed with ADHD. Two national organizations, CHADD and the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI), criticized Dr. Phil for presenting misinformation that could result in stigmatizing those affected by ADHD and causing potential harm. Unfortunately, Dr. Phil missed an opportunity to provide the public with the correct facts about ADHD and instead proliferated some common misconceptions that will create obstacles for proper care for children with this disorder. Dr. Phil did correctly point out that ADHD is a neurobehavioral disorder characterized by differences in brain structure and function and that medication can be effective and is often necessary. He also emphasized that other conditions such as anxiety and depression can contribute to symptoms that look like ADHD and children should be carefully evaluated. He encouraged the development of a consistent and structured setting at home and school to help the child perform and he advised parents to consult with their physician if they suspect their child has ADHD. However, he ignored an abundance of scientific evidence to the contrary when he stated that diets high in sugar or food additives could trigger ADHD. He also got it wrong when he said medication could be effective for 50 percent of children with ADHD when many studies of stimulants with ADHD would put this figure in the 70 to 90 percent range. He made it seem that parenting style can be blamed for the development of ADHD symptoms rather than acknowledge that ADHD is largely a heritable disorder and not the result of parent-child interaction or environment. And, his statement that the ONLY way to diagnose ADHD is with an EEG or a Spectagram is not supported by research and, in fact, such procedures are not generally recommended as part of a workup to diagnose ADHD. We hope the media, and Dr. Phil, in particular, will be more responsible in reporting on ADHD and get their facts straight so that the public is correctly informed. We have made a great deal of progress in the past 25 years in our understanding and treatment of those with ADHD. We should be well beyond the hysteria and sensationalism that was seen decades earlier. Let's stick to the facts. October's Featured myADHD.com's Tools |
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CHADD's 16th Annual Conference—October 28-30, 2004 ONLY A FEW WEEKS AWAY. THERE'S STILL TIME! REGISTER NOW! CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder), the nation's leading advocacy organization serving individuals and families affected by AD/HD, invites you to attend its16th Annual International Conference October 28-30, 2004 in Nashville,Tenn.With more than 70 sessions being offered over three days, you will have the opportunity to listen to and speak with the country's leading specialists covering the newest treatments for AD/HD and recent findings in the fields of medicine, psychiatry, psychology and education. To view the complete preliminary program or to register, go to http://www.chadd.org/conf_prog.cfm?cat_id=14&subcat_id=26&sec_id=13 |
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Need a Powerpoint Presentation on ADHD? Visit our home page and scroll to the bottom (click on link below) and find the link to an excellent slide show to familiarize your patients about ADHD. What is ADHD? This is a 15 to 25 minute presentation designed to give a quick overview of ADHD to families and adults. Reviews characteristics, causes, treatments, and resources on ADHD. Ideal for busy practitioners who would like to explain ADHD to others. Subscribers to myADHD.com can use the Adult Psychosocial History Form. Collect information about childhood symptoms, current symptoms, educational, medical, and work history. Includes scales for mood disorders and anxiety disorders. To view scale and transmit electronically via your MY CONTROL PANEL just login to your myADHD.com account at myADHD.com. Visit myADHD.com today, register, and view our collection of over 150 tools to assess and treat ADHD and related conditions in children, adolescents and adults. If you like what you see please consider subscribing to this new web-based service for ADHD. |
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For additional articles and resources on ADHD visit these sites: |