Comments on: Discrimination Against ADHD

By: Alissa

Alissa — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 19:48:01 +0000

I am being harrassed at a Fortune 500 company that many parents of ADD/ADHD parents would be upset about. I have ADD and have been called stupid by my manager. I have been to hell and I am fighting my way back. I didn’t have a voice when teachers told my parents I was lazy. I hope I can help pave the road for 2 of my 5 children who have been diagnosed as well.

By: Dr. Kenny Handelman

Dr. Kenny Handelman — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 16:58:10 +0000

Esther – was it a private school?

By: esther

esther — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 02:06:35 +0000

My son has been kicked out of his school because the school feels he has ADHD..
Please, we should continue fighting for our rights!!!

By: Dr. Kenny Handelman

Dr. Kenny Handelman — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 19:38:13 +0000

Miles – thank you for sharing your story.
Indeed, as you correctly say, people with ADD often do quite well as police officers. The fact that there is quite a bit of structure in that line of work helps too.
I’m sorry to hear that the ignorance about ADD caused so much trouble for you. I hope your experience will pave the way for other future police officers to be able to be accepted when they have ADD and take medications for it.

By: Miles Hickman

Miles Hickman — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 09:56:25 +0000

I have ADHD and work as a Police Officer. I have been a cop for 23 years with great reviews. Because of the active and changing nature of the job, police work attracts a large number of people with ADD and we are good at the job. I know of 14 and suspect another 10+ Officers on my mid sized department know they have ADD, most take meds, but don’t tell the department. I have been told that police work attracts a large number of people with ADD. Recently, the department found out I take Adderall for my ADD.

I got brought in 6 times to explain what ADD is. They found out Adderall is a dextro-methamphetamine salt and all but accused me of being the equivalent of a meth addict. They went to my Dr., the City Dr. and the City Psych who all told them it only helped me, was of no concern and none of their business. I ended up on “paid leave” for 2 months, then they just let me come back to work. Yes I am angry about it.

It was the most humiliating experience of my life. I realize police managment is traditionally slow to change and reactionary, but no one should be treated this way. Maybe its just where I work, but I can’t imagine I am the only Officer to have to put up with this.

I quit taking Adderall just to ease their mind about the “meth” in dextro-methamphetamine salts. You would think we were farther ahead than this kind of 1950′s thinking.

By: Seth Robinson

Seth Robinson — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 23:49:18 +0000

I recently was fired from a Pharmacutical warehouse called Mckesson in Arizona because of my ADD. They asked for proof I had ADD. I called my hospital back home and had my records mailed to me. I then took them into my supervisor. The next day when i came into work I was told I was being placed suspension because of the paper work I brought in. After 3 days I was called and told I could come back to work. when I returned my HR informed me that I had 30 days to find another doctor to be diagnosed a 2nd time for ADD. I told my HR that I didnt have medical coverage at the time and couldnt afford to see a psychiatrist. I was then told if I dont have the paper work that I didnt need to show up to work. I am having a difficult time finding representation because I have no job and no money except for unemployment. Seems like the justice system only works for people with money.

By: Sean

Sean — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 18:24:52 +0000

This is to Kathy with the cub scout problem. Goto your local scout council and let them know what transpired. Scouting is open to all, and if they were aware of your son’s diagnosis they should have made an accomadation to work with him. I’m a RT commissioner and in February I’m doing a presentation on how to help scouts with ADHD and Aspergers succeed in scouting. Talk to the Council and see what they can do.

By: Allatayna

Allatayna — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 06:33:01 +0000

I HAVE ADHD SO SEVERE THAT I HAVE NEVER HAD A DRIVERS LICENSE AND I AM 67 YEARS OLD SO THERE IT IS REAL IT IS ABOUT TIME YALL NOTICED

By: Kathy

Kathy — Mon, 17 May 2010 21:36:56 +0000

Hi
My son joined scouts in January. A few weeks ago the scout leader spoke to us and left us in no doubt he was no longer welcome. I feel so sorry for my son as he loved the scouts and really doesn’t know what he did wrong.
I suggested to scouts that they may have discriminated against my son – and don’t want this to happen to any other child with adhd in scouts. My suggestions were not well received!
Anyway I am really worried in case he doesn’t settle at his next school – you can leave scouts behind but good impressions are important in a new school you will be at until 18 (hopefully)

Any advice?

I deal with CIDS teams from time to time in a professional capacity. I thought their remit was a short period of intervention to bring about appropriate improvements for short term issues e.g. OT or speech therapy. Though this isn’t always the case. They can work with ASD and developmental delay too.

I found sensory integration therapy and OT very beneficial for my son when he was younger

By: cheekipixi

cheekipixi — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 09:41:02 +0000

Here I am again and off topic slightly again.

1/ I have received a letter from CIDS (the people who are there to help children with disabilities) recently, stating ‘ WE DO NOT SUPPORT CHILDREN WITH ADHD OR ODD’ end of story, surely this is discrimination against disability.
2/ After school clubs class my son as a risk so will not let him attend, such as cubs, scouts, sea cadets, dance classes etc etc. Even with a sessional worker supporting him and attending with him.
3/ Banardo’s have turned him down due to the risk factor and they are there especially for disabled children and children with multipal difficulties.
4/ Crossroads have just refused to sit with my son once a month for 2 hrs to enable me to attend an ADHD support Group of an evening.
5/ His sessional worker maybe in jeopardy due to his risk factor
6/ Social Services do not see ADHD as a disability, even though the law states he is, this has stopped him accessing other activities.
WHAT IS THE MATTER WITH THESE PROFFESSIONALS AND HOW DO THEY GET AWAY WITH THIS ABUSE TO A MINOR, ALL HE WANTS IS HELP AND THIS COUNTY CAN NOT DO THIS!