{"id":266,"date":"2017-12-05T09:31:18","date_gmt":"2017-12-05T15:31:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.topdaycarecenters.com\/blog\/?p=266"},"modified":"2017-12-05T09:31:18","modified_gmt":"2017-12-05T15:31:18","slug":"misdiagnosis-impact-gifted-kids","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.topdaycarecenters.com\/blog\/misdiagnosis-impact-gifted-kids\/","title":{"rendered":"Misdiagnosis – Impact On Gifted Kids"},"content":{"rendered":"

Misdiagnosis – a medical error that leads to no treatment or simply incorrect treatment. How does this impact kids-especially little-gifted ones? In today\u2019s fast-paced world, parents have no patience, or time to read, understand and educate themselves on facts that could change a kid\u2019s life forever. Everyone looks for quick fixes, whether it’s home, workplace, or their own child. If a kid tends to have a restless personality, a general mentality would be to get a quick fix by dropping into physician\u2019s office; taking the diagnosis at face value, and starting the kid on medication. No one today has time to dwell in depth on the causes of certain behaviors, leave alone giving much thought to the side effects of medication given to kids. <\/span><\/p>\n

ADD\/ADHD<\/span><\/h2>\n

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), and Attention Deficit\/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are medical terms that are often used interchangeably, although the current correct medical terminology is ADHD or Attention Deficit\/Hyperactivity Disorder. ADHD- a highly genetic, brain-based syndrome has to do with the regulation of a particular set of brain functions and related behaviors. \u201cThese brain operations are collectively referred to as \u201cexecutive functioning skills\u201d and include important functions such as attention, concentration, memory, motivation, and effort, learning from mistakes, impulsivity, hyperactivity, organization, and social skills\u201d(<\/span>Attention Deficient Disorder Association <\/span><\/a>[ADDA],n.d). <\/span><\/p>\n

Characteristics of gifted kids are frightfully similar. High degrees of intensity, sensitivity, and overexcitability are characteristics that most gifted children have in common. \u201cThey may love movement for its own sake and show a surplus of energy exhibited by rapid speech, wild enthusiasm, intense physical activity, and a need for action. This behavior can be misdiagnosed as ADD\/ADHD\u201d (<\/span>Carlstrom,2011,para.5<\/span><\/a>). <\/span><\/p>\n

More information on possible problems that may be associated with characteristic strengths of gifted children, can be found in article \u201c<\/span>Misdiagnosis and Dual Diagnosis of Gifted Children<\/span><\/a>\u201d (J.Webb, Amend, N.Webb, Goerss, Beljan & Olenchak,2011, para.10)<\/span><\/p>\n

How can parents as adults help avoid misdiagnosis?<\/span><\/h2>\n

In order to give your child a life they deserve; you need to become their first advocate. Follow the tips below to avoid misdiagnosis:<\/span><\/p>\n