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Neuro-psychologist and pre-school age children
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<blockquote data-quote="Malika" data-source="post: 413655" data-attributes="member: 11227"><p>Actually, I think the DSM classifications are used here - I've seen a lot of references to them in British and also French literature. And identical questionnaires (which I believe are called Connors?) are often used as part of the diagnostic tools.</p><p>I feel the differences seem to lie firstly in the fact that the whole concept of ADHD is questioned more than it seems to be (I may be wrong about that) in the States. Some reputable scientists here question its objective existence and there has been a fair bit of controversy about it. And then there is a pretty universal assumption, which one hears and reads over and over again, that a reliable diagnosis cannot be made before the age of six or so because of how rapidly and uncertainly young children develop and because many of the symptoms of ADHD are too close to "normal" behaviour in young children. Having said that, I have always been aware of the difference in my son's constant movement and high energy levels and the "normal" spectrum... I think the difference is clear and observable. But whether hyperactivity evolves into ADHD is a whole other question, it seems.... And then lastly there seems to be much less of a movement to give medications here to very young children, which is very much the exception. At the same time, France is a very conformist and regulated country (at the same time as they love to go on strike, more than any other nation - go figure, as you say), and so any form of "misbehaving" stands out and will be remarked on and sanctioned; in that sense, I expect many parents of ADHD children here welcome the diagnosis as a way out of the criticism they inevitably face for not "educating their children properly" (to sit still, be quiet, etc).</p><p>On the subject of misbehaviour, I wasn't sure whether your comment was meant for me, Midwest Mom. In any event, I have never thought of or said that my son is "gifted"! I do think he thinks differently to the norm, which is not the same thing... although actually I do prefer to think of giftedness as "alternative thinking" as it makes it less elitist, more available to anyone. And this world is in great need of alternative thinking and thinkers...</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Malika, post: 413655, member: 11227"] Actually, I think the DSM classifications are used here - I've seen a lot of references to them in British and also French literature. And identical questionnaires (which I believe are called Connors?) are often used as part of the diagnostic tools. I feel the differences seem to lie firstly in the fact that the whole concept of ADHD is questioned more than it seems to be (I may be wrong about that) in the States. Some reputable scientists here question its objective existence and there has been a fair bit of controversy about it. And then there is a pretty universal assumption, which one hears and reads over and over again, that a reliable diagnosis cannot be made before the age of six or so because of how rapidly and uncertainly young children develop and because many of the symptoms of ADHD are too close to "normal" behaviour in young children. Having said that, I have always been aware of the difference in my son's constant movement and high energy levels and the "normal" spectrum... I think the difference is clear and observable. But whether hyperactivity evolves into ADHD is a whole other question, it seems.... And then lastly there seems to be much less of a movement to give medications here to very young children, which is very much the exception. At the same time, France is a very conformist and regulated country (at the same time as they love to go on strike, more than any other nation - go figure, as you say), and so any form of "misbehaving" stands out and will be remarked on and sanctioned; in that sense, I expect many parents of ADHD children here welcome the diagnosis as a way out of the criticism they inevitably face for not "educating their children properly" (to sit still, be quiet, etc). On the subject of misbehaviour, I wasn't sure whether your comment was meant for me, Midwest Mom. In any event, I have never thought of or said that my son is "gifted"! I do think he thinks differently to the norm, which is not the same thing... although actually I do prefer to think of giftedness as "alternative thinking" as it makes it less elitist, more available to anyone. And this world is in great need of alternative thinking and thinkers... [/QUOTE]
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