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It seems most of the information you find out about children in the foster care system list ADHD as a diagnosis. Those of you who have adopted, do you find this to be true? Is it something that stems from being shuffled through the foster care system and slowly dissapears when they are in their forever home?
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Many kids in care are misdiagnosed with ADHD. Some have attachment disorder, some have ODD, many have PTSD instead. Some just are energetic or have moved around and feel unsettled. Of my 7 that came diagnosed ADHD, only 2 really are. That being said, 5 had RAD and 2 had major attachment issues.
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Some of the behaviors mimic ADHD. Kids will be hypervigilant which looks like hyperactivity. They can have trouble focusing because their environment is changed and they're worried about being in control and safe. They act impulsively. It took awhile to figure out what was what because until they kids felt safe, it was tough to tell what was reactive to their past and what was brain related if that makes any sense. One of the big things for me was if the medicine made a difference or not. If it's not ADHD, the symptoms don't lesson with the meds.
There's a strong genetic component with ADHD, and I would guess that alot of birthparents in the system might have it, due to inability to focus, complete a plan for reunification, hold a job, etc. We have a very strong link in my family, and one of my birthchildren has it, one does not. Our adopted childrens birthdad was diagnosed with ADHD, and while they are way to young to tell, it appears that only one of them might eventually have it (at least the hyperactivity componenet). ADHD isn't the end of the world....I read a great book called "The Gift of ADHD". I always feel like if channeled in the right direction those are the kids that will change the world.
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Our daughter was also diagnosed with ADHD before she came to us. Her teacher and last foster parents said that she was super hyper and out of control before she went on meds.
Our experience with her on meds was that she never slept and was extremely moody. We think those two issues were related. Now she is off the meds and fine. She does have some trouble focusing in class sometimes, but the teacher can always remind her to get back to work and she does. She is also sleeping and way less tempermental.
I do not doubt that she had ADHD symptoms while in foster care, but I don't think it was really ADHD, but nerves and anxiety about her situation. Her last foster home was a good one, but she still knew it was not permanant and I think knowing that she is not going anywhere has made all the difference as far as the "ADHD" is concerned.
A lot of ADHD in foster/adopted kids is anxiety. Especially among kids who have been moved a lot or have been in various stressful situations. Some is pure behavior problems. Kids who have been in many placements have had various behavior expectations...and kids who have lived a life of inconsistancy. My 7 yr old has ADHD. Her mother was a drug addict. At first I thought her issues were anxiety...I wanted to give her time to adjust. As time went on, you could clearly see she was displaying classic signs of ADHD. I thank God I get her help....life was almost impossible for her to manage. She is MUCH better and a completely different child.
Many children in foster care are misdiagnosed with ADHD...the attention problems seen in such children can be CAUSED by a variety of conditions. The real issue is what causes the symptoms and behaviors, not the surface behaviors. Attention difficulties can be caused by ADHD, Bipolar Disorder, Sensory-integration difficulties, anxiety, or disorders of attachment. You really need to get a good assessment by a mental health professional who has lots of training and experience working with foster children and who can screen for all those issues I'd previously listed. (see [url="http://www.attach.org"]www.attach.org[/url] on the list of registered clinicians for such a professional). regards
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You can get your child accurately assessed as soon as you bring him or her to a licensed mental health professional who is appropriately trained to do that (social worker, psychologist, etc). See [url="http://www.attach.org"]www.attach.org[/url] for the list of registered clinicians who can do this for you. I'd suggest you bring your child in ASAP regards