Here I go again raising controversy! As a developmental optometrist I often see children with visual issues that complicate their function. I have been very aware of the link between vision and one’s ability to work to full potential as I see the changes firsthand in practice. However, in researching for a presentation I discovered some alarming statistics.
-According to new numbers from the CDC, nearly one in five boys and 11% of American children have received a diagnosis for ADHD.
-In a 2010 study in the Journal of Health Economics, researchers found that the youngest children among U.S. kindergartners (those born in August) were 40% more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD and twice as likely to take ADHD medications as the oldest kindergartners studied (those born in September).
-Lancet, a leading medical journal, found that 64% of children with ADHD had substantial improvement in their symptoms when certain foods were eliminated from their diets.
Yikes! As a mom of boys, these statements are very concerning. One in five of our boys has a mental health disorder?! Parents, doctors, educators, pretty much anyone who has a stake in children or the future of our country should be concerned about what this means.
It seems to me that there are some serious flaws in how we diagnose children. Alternative Diagnoses ADD
Alternative Diagnoses ADD
This chart shows the symptoms related to AD(H)D found on the DSM-IV (Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) and the symptoms related to other conditions, such as sensory integration dysfunction, learning-related vision problems, nutritional and allergy issues, and behaviors that are just normal in children under the age of seven.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, there is no single test that can diagnose AD(H)D. Symptom checklists are a common information gathering tool, which can lead to a diagnosis. Other conditions are to be ruled out as they can provide similar symptoms. Similar symptoms, BUT DIFFERENT DIAGNOSIS. Unfortunately, many well-meaning professionals and parents are unaware of how similar other conditions can mimic the symptoms of AD(H)D and children are given a diagnosis without ruling out other possibilities.
If you know of a child that has symptoms of ADD or ADHD, please ensure they have an assessment of their functional vision skills. 80% of learning occurs through our vision. If poor or inefficient visual skills are present, it can have a big impact on learning and paying attention, regardless of an ADD or AD(H)D diagnosis.
For more information: please call our office at 763-241-1090, email me at drschultz@thechildrenseyedoctor.com, visit our websites at http://www.brighteyesvisionclinic.com and http://www.thechildrenseyedoctor.com, or other links with good information (www.covd.org, http://www.oepf.org and http://www.pavevision.org).
Thanks for reading!
Jill K. Schultz, OD, FAAO, FCOVD
