[Moreta]

Question: Do you think that NCLB (No Child Left Behind) has led to an increase in ADD/ADHD diagnosis?

I believe there is a direct correlation between the two. As teachers need to make testing goals, I think some teachers are throwing the ADD/ADHD label at some kids who do not have it. Yes, they might have some other learning disorder, but instead of actually working with the child, they give them a "label" so they don't have to be accountable for what the child makes in their standardized testing.

I started college with the major of Middle Grades Education in Math & Social Studies, but in my freshman year they passed the NCLB Act, and I changed majors. I did not want to have to "teach to the test" and watch children being pushed through school, even though they are not learning anything. I was a tutor in college and it was very disturbing of how people taking a freshman math class, did not even know the order of operations. I don't even understand how you can make it through middle/high school and not know this.

I really want to teach, but I don't think I could do it with NCLB in place. There is so much that children aren't learning. Then there's the whole issue with standardized testing in the first place, but I'm not going to go there...today. Also, there's the whole point that children should go to school year round as well.

I think sometimes all the standardized testing really masked all my ADHD, because I was good at it. My Dad taught me how the tests were set up, like if you don't know the answer, pick the longest answer, because why would the test makers take extra time to come up with a longer answer that isn't right, and when all else fails, pick C. Add that to a photographic memory, and I would easily breeze through the test making top marks. But when there was an open ended question, I could never get my thoughts together and come up with an answer that would make sense to every one besides me. (Which you have to do in college ).

*Random thought*

[BNLsMOM]

You know, that could be part of it, but it could also be that there are so many advances in how to diagnose ADD/ADHD and what it even is. I just found out recently that I have ADHD and I was shocked. I told the p-doc that I always did fairly well in school with the exception of a few classes in college when I was having my first depression. I do, however have much trouble in math. I think I had an undiagnosed learning disability in math. I understood concepts, but just couldn't get the numbers to work.

Also, there are schools where you don't have to teach to the test. My son goes to a private school on scholarship and they have their own teaching philosophy geared toward teaching children to think and analyze. (my son is being evaluated for ADD/ADHD and learning disabilities.)

[Moreta]

Private schools can be awesome. But the public school system sucks. I wanted to teach in private school but then you have to get your masters and have actual experience. Plus I wanted to teach honors....and I'm impatient....so I became an accountant.

[lywilliams]

Originally Posted by QueenAccountant

Private schools can be awesome. But the public school system sucks. I wanted to teach in private school but then you have to get your masters and have actual experience. Plus I wanted to teach honors....and I'm impatient....so I became an accountant.

Hi Everyone, As an educator in the CSU system and a former public school teacher , and a mother of two children with ADHD I will tell you this.

1. NCLB is a disaster. It has led to many many problems, but I do not believe it is related to ADHD diagnosis. Probably a whole separate topic. I do not feel it has led to the increase in diagnosis...since teachers are not qualified to diagnose ADHD, only physicians and psychotherapists.

2. There are many advances that may be the result of an increased diagnosis of ADHD. We now recognize the quiet day dreamy child who has ADHD, not just the hyper child. We have broadened our definition of ADHD and of course more people fall in the definition. Also, the mapping of the brain has led to a clear view of what an ADHD brain looks like. So, although more people are diagnosed, it doesn't mean the diagnosis is incorrect.

3. For Queen , You actually need more education to teach at a public school than most private schools.
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