ADD/ADHD on the Today Show NBC

As I get ready in the mornings to go to the clinic, I hear key words from Matt Lauer - ADD/ADHD/ Autism. These words/ diagnosis have become so common place that it no longer shocks me when I hear the media talking about. This morning the discussion was related to whether there is a stigma attached to a child receiving a diagnosis - hhmm.  I really have to look at this objectively from a therapist and media standpoint. Should the question be "are we diagnosing our kids correctly?" and "do parents know how to go about the process of finding out what their child really needs?"

The media typically interviews 2 or 3 types of people: the magazine editor who writes about the story, the parent and/or the psychologist/psychiatrist. Where are the occupational, speech and physical  therapists? Where are the teachers who work with the kids? where are the people who interact with these children and family on a daily basis? How do we pay for all of this?

Matt did ask about the evaluation process, the psychologist being interviewed suggested 4-8 hours of testing ( she suggested 2-3, 2 hour blocks of time). Yes this is the ideal! Except that this is 1 minuscule part of the real process. These diagnosis are not just about the cognitive, attention issues. There is so much more to the diagnosis that is not even being mentioned - ANYWHERE.

The good news is that we are talking about it. 15 years ago, we were doing this quietly; now, it is out in the open. I don't think there are stigma's attached to diagnosis anymore. Instead of talking about the stigma, why don't we spend that 5 minute segment on what can really be done about - what's out there for the whole family, then let's empower parents and teachers with options.

What information would you offer up to the media?