I am not sure how many of you are familiar with the Vancouver psychiatrist and author, Gabor Mate. Dr. Mate is an author of several books on ADHD (Scattered Minds); stress (When the body says no); and addictions (In the realm of hungry ghosts). He also works in downtown Vancouver with people with drug and alcohol addictions. (http://www.drgabormate.com/)
Dr. Mate's theory on ADHD is that it is not a "disease or a disorder, but rather a product of brain development." His main premise of ADD is that caused in early childhood when an infant is not soothed, and develops their own self-soothing strategies (this being the ADD or ADHD).
Is this really a disorder, or a coping mechanim?
I have included the links to an interview with Dr. Mate, http://www.democracynow.org/2010/2/3/addiction
His book on topic is
Scattered Minds: A new look at the Origins and Healing of Attention Deficit Disorder
I would be interested to hear others thoughts on this as we will all be dealing with many children diagnosed with ADHD.
I am no scientist when it comes to ADD and ADHD, but I did have a few Brownies in my group last year that were on medication for ADHD. At first I found them to be very challenging individuals to deal with. But as I got to know them, and recognize their strenghts and weaknesses, I came to realize that a lot of my inital frustration came from my lack of understanding. Once I knew how to alter my requests and expectations to cater to their needs, they became some of my favourites. For example: one girl insisted on acting out and it drove me nuts. I was frustrated because I felt like she was intentionally trying to wind me up, and it was working. But as I got to know her, I realized that her acting out was her way of saying, "You aren't challenging me enough. You aren't giving me enough to DO." So when she would act out, I would tell her that I needed her help with something, or gave her a special task, and she was happy to help. It made her feel special and appreciated. I think our challenge as teachers is to see past the label of "ADHD" and see the individual who needs us to change the way we perceive them.
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