Yes
2. Were you or someone you know ever been diagnosed with having ADD? If so, what was your/their initial reaction?
Yes - My oldest son has been, and now my youngest son is being trialed for diagnosis now.
3. Do you think ADD should be considered a disorder? Yes - if it would mean that resources would be available for children in school.
4. Do you think people who are diagnosed with ADD are socially different from the "norm." It would depend on the age of the child...
5. Do you think people who are diagnosed with ADD should take their medications?, reguardless of the harmful internal side effects ( doctors tend to over-perscribe the dosage, forcing the escess of the drug directly through the liver.) Hard question to answer... like with any treatment you have to way the benefit against the side affects.
6. Do you think children diagnosed with ADD should be "forced" to learn (use of ritalin) topics in school due to their "dissorder?" Medications will not force anyone to learn.. it gives them the mental stability to focus and take in information, whether the child wants to learn or not is still in their hands.
7. Do you think the inability to pay attention or gain interest in class is the teacher's fault or the dissorder's fault? Could be both
8. Hypothetically speaking, if you had a child who recently started school and was diagnosed with ADD, what do you think your reaction be? Been there done that... it is upsetting that your child has difficulties in school and it becomes a negative experience for them. However once you see the results of medication and that it is in fact helping them to be more comfortable participating in school and to be accepted by their peers... you make the sacrifice. Medication doesn't solve the problem... you still have to take a different approach in teaching them about every aspect of their life. From how you help them organize their day, to how you carry on a conversation with them. parents need to learn too... this isn't a fake disorder... it really affects every aspect of a family's life.
Great works are performed, not by strength, but by perseverance.
