Submitted by I'm So Exhausted on 03/15/2016.
I have been part of this forum for five years and three months.
I am curious how far reaching does this forum forum go? No addresses, no cities, please. Anonymity is important.
ADHD is still a fairly unspoken issue in my area. It is very sad. 2016 and our area is behind times. I am met with denial of its existence, feeling others look at ADHD as a contagious disease, or something to which you should be ashamed. Our state has only 2 chapters of CHADD - in Cincinnati and Columbus. More than 5 hours away.
Sincerely,
Liz
United States, Wisconsin. I
Submitted by PoisonIvy on
United States, Wisconsin. I don't know if there's an active CHADD chapter. I do know that there are therapists who advertise themselves as having experience or interest in working with people with ADD or ADHD.
USA....Alabama
Submitted by c ur self on
USA....Alabama
When I clicked on the Chadd website and clicked on Alabama...It' says non-available...There is one Doctor listed as an ADHD doctor, but I heard there is two...Most pediatricians subscribe meds to hyper kids...
I responded to posts from all over the USA, and the UK. for sure maybe other areas.....
C
USA, Oregon....(Go Ducks! quack lol )
Submitted by kellyj on
There is a pretty active CHADD group here from what I hear? I haven't participated but I did join the online forum and found a lot of information and resources available locally which includes regular meetings and group activities. Last time I checked which was now a few years ago.
J
Sweden, Stockholm
Submitted by Karinda on
ADHD is a well-known and accepted diagnosis in Sweden. Though there is a discussion going on whether to many children are medicated, maybe it is the modern school system that should change instead.
My opinion, (painted with a wide brush stroke of generalities)
Submitted by I'm So Exhausted on
Karinda,
From my own life experiences, early on it was suggested my son needed to "maybe" "be on something" to "help." This was a very early response we received while he was only in Kindergarten/First-Grade, before we even understood his ADHD. (He is now 26.)
As a Mom, regardless of the ADHD, I know little children need to move, move, move, move! In the 60s, public schools here in the U.S. gave children four daily opportunities for physical activities:
When my son was young, running a few laps around our house did absolute wonders to calm him and refocus his attention. Our school would not use allowing our son the opportunity to exert some physical activity. Their reasoning: "We would have to hire a classroom assistant just to monitor him running laps." By the time he was in high school, we had to have a 504 Education Plan, just to allow him the opportunity to walk to the principal's office and return to the classroom when his teacher noticed him fidgeting too much.
I just recently read this article in the news, and could only chuckle: Texas School Triples Recess Time And Sees Immediate Positive Results In Kids.
Very truly,
Liz
South Florida, United States
Submitted by lulu18 on
I live in a heavily populated area with hospitals and colleges/universities nearby. Very high consciousness concerning ADHD. Fair amount of therapists specializing in ADHD, however, most do not accept insurance and are very expensive. CHADD active here as well. However, since I moved here from an even more sophisticated part of the country, New York City area, this feels like a big let down. It's all in how you look at it. I guess I've been fortunate to have lived in places that are very diverse and have lots of services. There are like minded people for support here if you are looking for them.
USA, Pennsylvania
Submitted by MFrances on
We have a CHADD group. We only have one ADHD coach in the area. So many articles suggest a coach like it's an easy thing to find. My H has had trouble finding a doctor and a therapist that is knowledgeable in adult ADHD, and the problems associated with being diagnosed as an adult. No one understands adult ADHD, they think it's just being hyper and who cares-he can get a lot done. They don't understand the anger and the forgetting. And forgetting means the spouse can't count on the ADHD spouse.
georgia....limited also
Submitted by dedelight4 on
We live in Georgia between Atlsnta and Macon, and although ADHD resources are public, its very difficult to find someone who works with the behavior. Doctors will all ,ostly prescribe the meds but finding a good therapist has been hard. The last psycologist/specialist was supposed to be an ADHD specialist, but she didnt pick up on many of my husbands traits. Turns out her husband was ADHD, and though we went to her for a year, not much was accomplished. The other psychiatrist my husband went to for 3 years, didnt seem to explain to my husband anything about ADHD. He just gave my husband Dr. Hallowells book, and then my husband would go and talk the rest of the time. I know more about my husbands condition than he does, which is very sad. We are currently looking for another therapist. Will let you know how it goes.
United States, Texas
Submitted by lisa84 on
We have a local CHADD chapter, but I haven't really looked into it much yet. I know there are weekly meeting meetings, but I haven't been able to go because I always have my kids with me. There are lots of ADHD "experts" in our area, but they all seem to approach it so lightly. "Would you like to be more organized?" No, I'd like a new brain, thank you very much." Maybe they could help me, since I'm very aware of my ADD symptoms, but I'm not hopeful they could help someone like my husband, with no self awareness, whatsoever.
I've been homeschooling my kids for years and there is a strong bias against things like ADHD and Dyslexia, both of which my kids have. Because of everyone around me telling me those things don't exist, it took me forever to see it in our family, but once my eyes were opened SO many questions were answered. Once I realized a couple years ago, that I have ADD and anxiety, my entire life suddenly made sense. Then I saw it in my kids and their lives made sense. Then I saw it in my husband and our whole marriage made sense. How did two ADD people happen to get married and have a bunch of ADD kids, lol? We're just one mess of a family, but knowledge is power. I'm so glad I stepped out of the ignorance that surrounds me and thought for myself. Now I just try to spread as much awareness as I can. People need to stop spreading the rumor that ADHD doesn't exist or is overdiagnosed.