I don't want a zombie sheep-child.

Medication won't make her a zombie sheep-child. At all.

Oh I know. I've seen the wonders it can do for kids who really need it.

Overdiagnosis of ADHD is a real problem with elementary-school aged boys. I've heard (anecdotally, so take it with a grain of salt) of classrooms where 70% of the boys are on ADHD meds - to me that's an indication that something is wrong in the school. If more than half of a classroom needs to be medicated in order to make it through the day, maybe it's not the kids' brain chemistry that's at fault.

[eta:

underdiagnosed (especially in girls)

And of course, this is the flip side. It's a tough issue.]

We are headed to Mom's beach house for a 4 day weekend, AIFG. It's so peaceful and quiet there in the winter.

And because it deserves its own post, apparently today is International Fetish Day: [link]. I plan to celebrate by wearing my semi-colon t-shirt and reading Batman comics.

::loves on Teppy, metaphorically speaking::

She can't hold eye contact, she gives up on stuff, she has huge self-doubt and says things that break my heart - "I can't do anything right." or "I do everything wrong." or "Nobody likes me."

Awww, poor noodle. I'm glad you are figuring things out now.

Aims, the most important thing, as everyone has said, is that you and Joe are involved and loving and concerned. That's going to make all the difference in the world, no matter what. And testing now is the best first step you can take, because like you said, helping Em to feel better in her own skin is the key.

::hugs Miracleborns::

Aims, keep in mind that if you do end up deciding on medication and there are sode effects you don't like, there are many different medications you can try.

Too many people who are adults now who have ADHD (and obviously had it as kids) weren't diagnosed because it just wasn't recognized for what it was back then, and they were told they were stupid and slow and deliberately disruptive, etc., etc., etc. Which is horribly demoralizing. Imagine how much better things would have been for them if their neurodiversity was recognized for what it was when they were 5.

This. Me (if you substitute dyspraxia and dyslexia for ADHD). Many years later I'm still bitter about the 'stupid', 'dull' and 'dim-witted'-type comments that came from teachers who sh/could have known better. Still, I wouldn't give up my neurodivergent brain for anything in the world. But diagnosis is a very helpful thing.

Grammar edit. Which is mildly ironic. Heh.

I don't want a zombie sheep-child.

Medication won't make her a zombie sheep-child. At all.

Oh I know. I've seen the wonders it can do for kids who really need it.

Oops. I totally misunderstood you, then. Sorry!

I was saying that if she does need medication, I'm doing for her to feel better in her own skin, not because I want a zombie sheep-child.

We're good!

I will celebrate Fetish Day by linking a cool word/concept:

Apophenia, which is basically seeing patterns where there are none. I'm fascinated by patterns and how we perceive them.