ADD: Some Points in Time

Here is some info that I got from the ADD Conference in Fremont, CA in April. Apologies for the delay.

Some important dates relating to ADD:

The following was provided as an introduction to Dr Lauren Braswell's keynote speech to the the CHADD conference.

1911

People having symptoms similar to that of what we now know as ADD were considered to have Port Encephalitis. This is what has been determined to be the sleeping sickness that we heard about during the early '70s. It was first noted in the literature as coming from the Southern states like TX and AZ.

 
1930 -
1940's

The name changed to Minimum Brain Dysfunction. People with the disease were regarded as slow, mentally retarded, or just plain lazy good-for-nothings.

 
1960's

The term hyperactivity in conjunction with hyperkinetic behavior became the new buzz words. Hyperkinetic Reaction of Childhood was another descriptor.

 
1902

Medical science first notes that some children exhibit inattentiveness, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. But, there was no name given to it.

 
1980

DSM III Handbook comes up with a diagnosis. I'll have to dig to find the formal description. Will compare it to the new DSM III R at a later date. Attention Deficit Disorder is named (without the "H").

 
1987

The DSM IIIR is published. The requirements have changed and been added to. But, the big thing here is that Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is named.

 
1994 -
1995

The DSM IV will be out. Interesting though is the categorization of the different forms of the disorder. A number of behaviorists are in the process of attacking the meds. Comments later. Again, I will highlight the difference amongst the DSM's at another time. Need to consult some professionals first. I so have a copy of the proposed IV version. And you aren't going to like it.

Bottom line is that while the labels have changed, the symptoms have not.

There is a belief that the symptoms overshadow the child's behavior. As we parents of ADD/ADHD/etc children know, this is a true statement and we cannot forget that the problem is a physiological one from which behavioral problems develop. And we must first get some assistance to alleviate the first before we can attack the second. The DSM IV will basically punish us at this point for not being ahead of the medical profession. You see, the IV version categorizes the disorder. And based on the categorization, we may or may not qualify for certain treatments. Some of what I heard at the conference was scary. Steven Hinshaw, a Ph.D. from Berkeley, is running a mutimodal study to show us and the medical profession how behavioral treatment (primary), government intervention in the classroom (treatment where the teacher, social workers, the psychologist, neurologist, etc can all work together on our dime), and meds (minimally). So, the new book categorizes the disorder as one in which we the parents need to get our stuff in order and all else kind of falls into place. Don't know about you out there, but that was the first thing I heard. Interesting though, there are two other groups that are doing similar studies in the US. God help us if we are pushed back to the behavioral approach before meds are given. And that is what I got out of that session. It is costly and with the changes in the insurance industry, one almost suspects a kind of collusion for an outcome. Apologies for the cynicism.

bja@netcom.com (Bill - The Wild One)

Last Modified: Thursday, October 02, 1997 9:34:45 PM