What is ADHD and is it a real thing?
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a real thing. Some children are primarily inattentive in the classroom, some are primarily hyperactive, and some are both. Boys seem vastly more likely to have it than girls, although a second way of looking at it is to point out that most girls who have it have the quiet, inattentive version and are not bouncing off the walls like their male counterparts. It is my strong belief that a number of things must be ruled out before an ADHD diagnosis should be made, and this is where testing can be helpful. First, anxiety can look like ADHD. Many children are so full of anxiety that they cannot stay focused in school. Second, allergies to foods and other substances can look like ADHD and must be ruled out. Does your child have frequent stomachaches, headaches, sniffles and runny eyes, ear infections, sleep problems? Does your child seem to crave certain foods like caffeine, peanut butter, milk, sugar, and drinks with red dye? Do yourself a favor an
