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BBC

Unscrupulous parents seek ADHD diagnosis for benefits
Adrian Goldberg

Head teachers claim stimulants are being over-prescribed to young children, who they suspect are not sufferers of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). They say unscrupulous parents of troubled youngsters are pushing for an ADHD diagnosis to claim disability benefits.

"Susan" has asked to remain anonymous, because she knows what she says is controversial and does not want to stigmatise the parents of every child with a diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

The suspected false diagnoses that concern Susan mean children can end up on powerful drugs, such as Ritalin, even if they do not have ADHD.

"I think parents are very well aware of how the system works, in terms of obtaining the drugs for their children, and the monetary gains that they get through a diagnosis."

The suspected false diagnoses that concern Susan mean children can end up on powerful drugs, such as Ritalin, even if they do not have ADHD.

She told the 5 live Investigates programme: "Some parents will exaggerate what exactly is happening at home, particularly in terms of aggressive behaviour, violent behaviour, breaking furniture and so on, in order to get a care allowance."

"Sarah", another head teacher, also believes that some parents lie to medical professionals in order to get a diagnosis, and the chance to apply for extra benefits.

She told the 5 live Investigates programme: "Some parents will exaggerate what exactly is happening at home, particularly in terms of aggressive behaviour, violent behaviour, breaking furniture and so on, in order to get a care allowance." More More

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Clara commented on 13-Jun-2011 11:28 PM

I am very much against drugging children but the fact remains that a lot of children are unable or unwilling to "adjust" to the inhuman demands society and schools put on them. This creates a great deal of unhappiness for children and their families and
in the absence of real support parents have little choice but to give in to the pressures to drug their children. Parents should not be blamed for this. They should be given support and meaningful alternatives.

Karen T commented on 14-Jun-2011 01:42 PM

what a tragedy --- and it's so hard to say who's to blame.

hs01 commented on 18-May-2011 09:52 PM

Holy smoke...!!! Just when you thought you had heard it all. The pharmaceuticals really are getting out of hand.

Laura commented on 20-May-2011 12:33 PM

this is really outrageous. I can't believe it.

Main Mom commented on 23-May-2011 10:01 PM

This is unbelievable. What idiot parents go along with such BS? How could anyone accept this kind of stupidity about their children? The person commenting above about pharmaceutical companies is right but come on, the parents are complete idiots too if
they believe this sort of thing. It's really depressing to me.

Linda per se commented on 30-May-2011 10:04 PM

This is hard to belive. Really, enough is enough. When will people stop buying into this bs?

Blane commented on 03-Jun-2011 02:28 PM

It's not that hard to believe! It was just a matter of time before the baby market was discovered.

Main Mom commented on 23-May-2011 10:09 PM

Why are these ADHD medication ads on this site? It looks like you don't approve of medicating chilren so why do you put these ads here?

Clara commented on 09-Feb-2011 10:06 AM

Well, if they lie to get the benefits I hope they at least also lie and not give the kids the drugs!

Q commented on 09-Feb-2011 10:27 PM

Well, if diagnosis is a game why shouldn't everybody play the game? The drug companies are out to make money, so why shouldn't the victims make a little money too?

hs01 commented on 21-Sep-2010 09:45 PM

They all should have been drugged into permenant stupor.

Chris commented on 22-Sep-2010 09:27 AM

Creative people have always been difficult people. I guess that makes life hard on parents of creative kids especially since they are usually rebelling against something. But life is short and kids grow up. parents just need to wait a few years!

Lisa commented on 26-Sep-2010 10:57 PM

The question is, are creative people more entitled to being difficult than regular folks?

tina commented on 04-Oct-2010 07:41 PM

Mozart was autistic...???!!! LOL LOL LOL (as they say!).

TKT commented on 15-Jul-2010 10:21 AM

There has been enough coverage of abuse of ADHD medication like Ritalin that you would think people will start looking at those like any other drugs. But they're still being prescribed big time.

Clara commented on 16-Jul-2010 10:08 AM

A good indication of how prevalent the use and abuse of drugs have become are the Google ads that pop up every time I list a news item related to drugs on this site. I don't have any control over the ads that show up here, but take a look and see how big the economy of selling drugs and drug services (getting on and off them) are!!!

Karen commented on 19-Jul-2010 12:49 PM

Very good point, Clara. thanks for pointing that out.

anon2 commented on 15-Jul-2010 10:22 AM

The only thing that drug testing accomplishes is to vilify and bully young people yet again. Maybe that's the point?

hs01 commented on 16-Jul-2010 10:09 AM

Drug testing is just another form of social control.

eyhyoepb commented on 13-Apr-2010 09:19 AM

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Anonymous commented on 13-Apr-2010 11:12 AM

This is outrageous. Suicides, murders, drug addiction, all of this as a result of these drugs and they keep getting prescribed to children. I don't know what's supposed to happen to make people stop this madness.

Clara commented on 13-Apr-2010 11:29 AM

I hear you Anonymous! I wonder exactly about the same thing.

Clara commented on 22-Feb-2010 12:07 PM

The main concern in this article seems to be that taking "smart" drugs is an ethical issue because it would be "cheating" on exams! Is that the most important concern about kids getting hooked on drugs?

anonny commented on 23-Feb-2010 01:32 PM

I don't get it -- are drugs OK nor not OK? Who can do what when? And dear readers, please go read the entire article. Pretty soon Ritalin and other uppers will be required in the work place.

anonny commented on 18-Feb-2010 10:04 AM

If the diagnosis of "hypersexuality" doesn't get men all riled up I don't know what will. Come on guys, whose time isn't "consumed a great deal of time by sexual fantasies and urges"?? Come on guys, fess up! And get drugged up.

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