I agree that is is overdiagnosed in cases, but I have seen it undiagnosed in cases too. Some kids just have high energy, that is not ADHD. Unfortunately some professionals can't distinguish and just provide medication. I personally don't think you should just be able to go to a pediatrician and get mets for ADHD. That's just my opinion, because mental health isn't a pediatrician's area of expertise and because of that they often overdiagnose it. It frustates me when children have had a lack of structure and other things like that in their life that clearly makes them anxious and energetic and people assume ADHD. Especially in cases you have talked about, like in working with foster children. But I have seen the other end of it too which saddens me. Really good kids that keep getting punished at home for acting out at school and not following directions, etc...when they just don't have that self-control. They are great kids that aren't defiant..they just can't help it. Like punishing a kid for not being able to read the board when they don't have their glasses. How much sense does that make? Okay..maybe that was an awful analogy. My DH tells me that I am awful at analogies and that I shouldn't even try, LOL.
