“There is no such thing as a perfect parent. So just be a real one” - Sue Atkins
Without a doubt, parenting is the hardest job on the planet. The stakes are so high since children are affected by every right or wrong decision a parent makes. Parents strive hard to set the perfect example, say the perfect things, have all the perfect answers and engage in perfect parenting. However, sooner or later, parents realize that they cannot possibly be perfect all the time and should simply try and do the best they can in raising their child(ren). Being realistic is the key, and in addition, having a child diagnosed with special needs can be quite the ‘Rollercoaster’ ride!
Similar to the process of being diagnosed with a physical/ medical ailment or disease, e.g. diabetes/cancer, parallels can be drawn to the process of being diagnosed with psychological/learning disorder. Amongst the array of treatment options available for restoring the physical imbalance of the body caused by diabetes/cancer i.e. Naturopathy, Homeopathy, Allopathy, Chemotherapy and so on, wherein, individuals try and weigh the pros and cons, the level of effectiveness and the side effects arising from the selected choice of medications; similar can be the case of weighing the treatment options available for those diagnosed with ADHD, wherein parents need to decide what works best for their child. However, this process will tend to involve a fair amount of trial and error keeping in mind the individual differences, levels of severity and reactions and/or side effects to different kinds of interventions.
Also Read: How Therapeutic Intervention Helps Students With Special Needs
According to Taylor, O’Donoghue, & Houghton (2005), on receiving a diagnosis that their child has been identified as having ADHD, parents progress through three stages namely grief, cynicism and being proactive. However, not necessarily these stages may apply to all. Parents that are aware of the familial nature of ADHD, may quickly move from the stage of grief to that of being proactive and having faith in the paediatrician’s/ psychiatrist’s/ neurologist’s prescription of medication for their child (Taylor, O’Donoghue, & Houghton, 2005). Understanding the diagnosis and accepting the treatment option of medication for their child is a phenomenon observed in well educated, affluent families as compared to parents coming from less affluent, minority ethnic background who find it difficult to accept medication as a viable option of treatment for their child (Charac et al, 2006).
Parents experience various conflicting emotions in the pursuit of seeking what is best for their child. They tend to deny the diagnosis, fearing the stigmatization of both their child and the family (Taylor, O’Donoghue, & Houghton, 2005). They experience confusion and doubt themselves as to whether it was their fault that the child ended up with such a problem. (Charac et al, 2006). This questioning causes them to seek second and third opinions from other doctors to confirm the diagnosis (Taylor, O’Donoghue, & Houghton, 2005). With the sudden rise in diagnosis of ADHD, parents should make sure that their child has gone through a standardized and systematic procedure for diagnosis under the criteria laid down by the DSM V.
It is observed throughout literature and past research about the controversial efficacy and side effects/ long term use of stimulant medication for reducing the symptoms of ADHD, leading to the never-ending debate among professionals and concerned individuals about whether or not to consider medication as a means of intervention.
Thus, most parents tend to seek alternative methods of treatment, e.g. mineral and vitamin supplement program, fish oils, elimination diets, reduction of sugars, behaviour therapy, physical exercises etc. before they consider medication. Meijer et al (2009), suggested that a combination of pharmacotherapy and psychosocial interventions must be adopted as a valid option of treatment.
According to Jordan (2015), ADHD symptoms should be viewed as an advantage rather than a disadvantage. The constant shifting of focus from one task to another should be perceived as an ability to multitask. The symptom of impulsivity can work as that of intuition, where individuals can make quick decisions without worrying much about the consequences. Thus, concluding that individuals with ADHD can make good entrepreneurs and athletes, great examples being that of entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson and successful athletes like Michael Phelps, Terry Bradshaw and Peter Rose all with an ADHD diagnosis.
Author: Reena Turner
Teaching Faculty – Junior School
The Aditya Birla Integrated School
References:
Charach A, Skyba A, Cook L, Antle BJ. Using Stimulant Medication for Children with ADHD: What Do Parents Say? A Brief Report. Journal of the Canadian Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. 2006;15(2):75-83.
Jordan, L. (2015). The ADHD Advantage: What You Thought Was a Diagnosis May Be Your Greatest Strength. Library Journal, 140(9), 97.
Meijer, W., Faber, A., den Ban, E., & Tobi, H. (2009). Current issues around the pharmacotherapy of ADHD in children and adults. Pharmacy World & Science, 31(5), 509-516. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11096-009-9302-3
Taylor, M., O’Donoghue, T., & Houghton, S. (2005). To medicate or not to medicate? The decision-making process of Western Australian Parents following their child’s diagnosis with an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. International Journal of Disability, Development and Education, 53(1), 111-128.
