Debbie-

Thanks for bringing this up. You were very diplomatic, so don't worry about offending anyone. I think people are often under the impression that gifted kids can't have ADD. Also from the CHADD site: http://www.help4adhd.org/faq.cfm?fid=39&varLang=en

http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/symptom.htm This criteria uses the word "often" which means that SOMETIMES, these individuals CAN and DO pay attention. I know there are gifted kids who are moved from inappropriate educational settings into challenging situations and their ADD type symptoms magically disappear. But my own kids have clear issue even learning at home, where they are allowed to work at their own pace and level. They exhibit attention problems eating breakfast, getting dressed, in all kinds of environments. It would be SO nice if the ADD stuff would just go away, but I see many attention issues in myself and I don't think at 42 years old I am about to outgrow them. Now all that being said, my kids are very gifted and they can and do concentrate on things for hours at a time, even without meds -some call this a "flow" state.

My mind is wandering now and I'm thinking about our family game night, so I will stop chattering...