10 ADHD Myths

Terry Matlen, ACSW Health Professional ADHD expert, consultant, writer. Director: www.MomsWithADD.com ADHD has been part of my life since...oh, since I was born! But I... Send Message Subscribe: Terry Matlen, ACSW

Monday, March 23, 2009
View All of Terry Matlen, ACSW's Posts

In my 15 years working to support, educate and counsel those touched by ADHD, we in the field have made some ground in de-bunking ADHD myths. But we still have a long way to go. Below are common ADHD myths that I and many others, work hard to debunk: 1. Myth: ADHD is not a real diso...

Hide Comments | Add comment

Food additive sensitivies
Anonymous
Thursday, March 26, 2009 at 02:28 PM

However, there is a small sub-set of children, approximately 1-3% that do seem to have food additive sensitivities....

I would LOVE to know where this % comes from. How do you know if a child is sensitive t these additives if you've never checked? A simple elimination diet (and then re-introducing the items to test for reaction) can diagnose this. And sensitivity to additives can show up as innattentiveness & hyperactivity.

My son has these sensitivities. And I think it is a higher percentage than listed in this article. But kids are being medicated instead of having their diets looked at.

re: Food additive sensitivies
Terry Matlen, ACSW
Thursday, March 26, 2009 at 11:23 PM
Hi Anon, The percentage is small, from the studies I've read over the years. But I agree with you- if it's possible to figure out if your child is one that is sensitive to additives, etc., then it is worth trying an elimination diet to see if that, indeed is the culprit. Terry

re: the above de-bunking ADHD myths
josephine mc dermott
Thursday, March 26, 2009 at 06:28 PM

A brilliant piece of work and i hope professionals who do not believe that ADHD exists will read this and realise that what many parents have been saying is right

well done to the author

re: re: the above de-bunking ADHD myths
Terry Matlen, ACSW
Thursday, March 26, 2009 at 11:20 PM

Josephine,

Thank you for your kind words. I'm glad you found the article helpful. Feel free to print it out and share it with those who need to read it.

Regards,

Terry

ADHD
PATRICIA TURNER
Thursday, March 26, 2009 at 08:24 PM

YOU REALLY DON'T KNOW UNLESS YOU'VE ARE RELATED TO ONE. MY SISTER IS ADHD AND SHE IS 22 GOING TO BE 23 IN JUNE 2009 & SHE STILL HAS ADHD

THANK YOU

10 ADHD Myths
jjfuller
Monday, March 30, 2009 at 10:24 AM

Thank you for this article. When people find out that my 6 year old son has ADHD they usually go into how one of their children had "THAT" and my son needs a good spanking and that will straighten him out. It did it for their children. Or when he gets older he will grow out of it. If more people could read this article and get more info on ADHD it would make things much easier for me.