TerryJ2
Well-Known Member
Today's paper ran a column by Dr. Donohue that I disagreed with. I am sticking my neck out and writing a letter to him. There is so much to cover, I had a hard time restraining myself, but decided to keep it short (incl the 3 websites I recommended, when there are so many more) because there is a better chance he will read it and publish something.
I couldn't find the link to the column online, but you can get the gist of it from my letter.
August 20, 2010
Dr. Paul G. Donohue
Dear. Dr. Donohue
P.O. Box 536475
Orlando, Fla 32853-6475
Dear Dr. Donohue:
Recently your syndicate ran a question from the grandmother of a 21-yr-old who seemed depressed, had no ambitions, and had the social skills of a 13-yr-old. He was diagnosisd with ADHD when he was younger.
You agreed that he seemed depressed and recommended county services.
I think you missed the boat.
Seldom does ADHD present by itself, It is often a symptom of something bigger, such as bipolar disorder or Aspergers. Given that this 21-yr-old had the social skills of a 13-yr-old, Id says he has Aspergers.
He could still be given an antidepressant, but needs social skills training above all. Its a shame that some parents and grandparents dont do early intervention and that so many doctors miss this diagnosis because so many of the kids are higher functioning and the doctors are looking for standard textbook descriptions.
I would have liked more information from the grandmother, such as what he was like as a child, and how he deals with transitions.
Could you please run a similar letter and discuss Aspergers and how ADHD is more of an adjective than a stand-alone diagnosis? You could also mention that a detailed exam by a neuropsychologist is necessary, and that there are numerous websites that are helpful to parents, including Autism.com, Autismspeaks.com, and Conductdisorders.com.
Sincerely,
I couldn't find the link to the column online, but you can get the gist of it from my letter.
August 20, 2010
Dr. Paul G. Donohue
Dear. Dr. Donohue
P.O. Box 536475
Orlando, Fla 32853-6475
Dear Dr. Donohue:
Recently your syndicate ran a question from the grandmother of a 21-yr-old who seemed depressed, had no ambitions, and had the social skills of a 13-yr-old. He was diagnosisd with ADHD when he was younger.
You agreed that he seemed depressed and recommended county services.
I think you missed the boat.
Seldom does ADHD present by itself, It is often a symptom of something bigger, such as bipolar disorder or Aspergers. Given that this 21-yr-old had the social skills of a 13-yr-old, Id says he has Aspergers.
He could still be given an antidepressant, but needs social skills training above all. Its a shame that some parents and grandparents dont do early intervention and that so many doctors miss this diagnosis because so many of the kids are higher functioning and the doctors are looking for standard textbook descriptions.
I would have liked more information from the grandmother, such as what he was like as a child, and how he deals with transitions.
Could you please run a similar letter and discuss Aspergers and how ADHD is more of an adjective than a stand-alone diagnosis? You could also mention that a detailed exam by a neuropsychologist is necessary, and that there are numerous websites that are helpful to parents, including Autism.com, Autismspeaks.com, and Conductdisorders.com.
Sincerely,