<p>The actual "DSM" criteria uses the word "often" which is most objectively defined by the use of rating scales in various settings. These rating scales are "normed" based on thousands of boys and girls in various age groups.The most acceptable evaluations would be able to show that an individual had many symptoms in excess of 85 to 90 percent of the population,before the age of about 10 years old and that those symptoms caused "significant" (again, based on objective measures) impairment in two or more settings.</p>
<p>This is seriously such an offensive thread. I have two brothers with bonafide ADD, and in one, we didn't discover it until after he graduated high school with some pretty rotten grades. The other, we caught it in 7th, and with medication and an IEP everything totally turned around for him. </p>
<p>You people who say they can get their doctor to give them Adderall or ask for extra testing time when there's nothing wrong with you (other than being a jerk who knows he won't succeed on his own merits, so he has to cheat) shouldn't be here in this forum with those of us trying to succeed legitimately.</p>
<p>So go for it. Get your Rx for Adderall. Have fun, enjoy the side effects, then go take your SAT. Then cheat your way throughout college and try to get a real job while competing against people who are qualified without cheating. You'll be the superstar you think you deserve to be without having any real talent or skills. It works, really!! </p>
<p>PLEASE.</p>
<p>Oh no. Here we go again with the accommodations threads..........</p>
<p>Where's Amb3r in all of this?</p>
<p>Harvard2011 where did you get that symptom list? It has very little in common with the real thing.</p>
<p>It's very easy to get Adderall/Ritalin; the kids sell their own or their little brother's.</p>
<p>Adderall and Ritalin are Schedule II Controlled substances. Sale or purchase is a felony, punishable with up to 20 years of prison and 1 million dollars fine.</p>
<p>A Schedule II controlled substance has been deemed to have a high potential for abuse and addiction despite genuine medical uses.</p>
<p>But, what the hell, at least you can raise your SAT scores a few points.</p>
<p>When someone first takes Adderall, they usually experience severe headaches so I'd even question effects on the occasional user. Some kids who have been diagnosed with ADD get a benefit from caffeine so this would be my recommendation for those of you who think you need help "paying attention" during ACTS and SATS. My son struggles with this, but has not been officially diagnosed. His best score was the day after spraining his ankle during a football game. I asked him how he could have possibly done so well and his answer was, " The pain kept me alert during the test." Unfortunately this kind of confirmed my suspicions of his ADD. I have a hs sophomore who has been diagnosed ADD and is on Adderall. According to her IEP, she gets tests read to her and extra time if needed. I haven't researched what accomodations can be given on the ACT or SAT yet.</p>
<p>^Because some parents (I know one personally) now feel that since Colleges don't know about it, and you can get as long as you have a physcologist friend or some money, you can buy your kid extra time on the SATs...and it helps so much. I know a girl who's parents got it for her (and she had nothing wrong with her whatsoever) and her SATs jumped (old ones) from a 1290 to a 1510.</p>
<p>This is a good example of a person who DOES have ADD. Once on medication, these kids experience significant improvements. If you don't have an attention problem, the medication won't help much, if at all.</p>
<p>one of my friends showed me a packet she got from the school office. it was from the collegeboard.
she said it was so she could get an extention since she has ADD. so i guess they do allow it?</p>
<p>First of all, let me say everyone here who is claiming ADD/ADHD to be a false disability is not only completely intolerant, but also oblivious.</p>
<p>Secondly, Shrinkrap, what gives YOU the right to say that the symptom list is "nothing like it at all"? What merit do you have? I have been diagnosed with ADD and it SUCKS! Writing papers are complete HELL! Social situations were very difficult for me, and still are. Having no friends throughout all elementary school through high school. Not until my senior year (after much self-esteem boosting from various camps and maturity) did I have someone I could call a friend. That symptom list posted is byfar THE MOST accurate symptom list I have seen YET! I will repost the list and check the symptoms I have and give a brief explanation of it.</p>
<p>Also, to stay on topic, let me say that ACT WILL give extended time to ADD/ADHD students. They are a little harsh and may reject you the first time, just make sure you supply them with a large compliation of documentations for your disorder. I was rejected the first time for extended time but then was allowed it for my second application after appealing the decision and sending further documentation in areas where they felt were not sufficient enough to grant extended time. I got a 26 the first time and a 26 the second time (however it should have been a 28 but my reading score dropped 6 points from the first and the rest increased by 2 or 3, this was due to me not being able to finish reading 2 whole passages).
The third time I took it (with extended time) I got a 33. Huge improvement. But my writing score was still TERRIBLE. Only receiving a 6 (rivaled with an 8 that I got the first time but still not that great).</p>
<p>I was thinking about applying for extended time with collegeboard but I think it has no use now that I am a senior so it wouldn't matter for anything beyond scholarship purposes.</p>
<p>Okay, so here we go, THE LIST: (Y/N)</p>
<p>Past History
1.Y *History of ADHD symptoms in childhood, such as distractibility, short attention span, impulsivity or restlessness. ADHD doesn't start at age 30. </p>
<p>2.<em>Y</em>History of not living up to potential in school or work (report cards with comments such as "not living up to potential") </p>
<p>3.<em>Y(huge for me, I constnalty argued with teachers and was sent out to the hallway because I cannot deal with authority)</em>History of frequent behavior problems in school (mostly for males) </p>
<p>4.<em>Y(sadly, went on until roughly age 9)</em>History of bedwetting past age 5 </p>
<p>5.<em>Y(father has ADHD, mother may but unknown)</em>Family history of ADHD , learning problems, mood disorders or substance abuse problems </p>
<p>Short Attention Span/Distractibility
6.__Y(nothing can keep me attentive for more than a few minutes unless it is INCREDIBLE entertaining or satisfying in some way. Unlike false assumptions I have seen here, you drift away from things that are not necessarily redundant or boring, but rather, just sometimes without even noticing until the entire board is filled up with information and you honestly do no remember how it got there, worst feeling ever and it happens EVERY DAY)*Short attention span, unless very interested in something </p>
<p>7.<em>Y( This is MOST obvious in social situations for me, I often interupt myself, or others, for the slightest distractions. Hyperfocused is something I have never heard of but definitely have observed in myself. When I REALLY need to get something done and time is EXTREMELY PRESSING (10 minutes to do 30 minutes of stuff) I seem to be able to focus at EXTRAORDINARY magnitude. However, this is only under EXTREME circumstances and I cannot control it, only the circumstances do. This is often why I may wait until the last minute to do something. However, quality in work suffers. This also is seen to be true in VERY challenging problems that others cannot solve. When I recognize something as a strong challenge (that others cannot do) I tend to focus on it with great magnitude)</em>*Easily distracted, tendency to drift away (although at times can be hyperfocused) </p>
<p>8.<em>Y(I never get 100's on tests, ever, I always ALWAYS have ONE minor mistake or error (mistaking a 5 for a 6, accidentally adding 5 +4 incorrectly, + or - sign, really stupid stuff, but it brings down the score and I never catch it it seems)</em>Lacks attention to detail, due to distractibility </p>
<p>9.<em>Y(I need people to repeat themselves usually 3 times for me to know, this also makes driving VERY difficult. I would not be able to get around at ALL in my town without my GPS system in the car that I drive.)</em>Trouble listening carefully to directions </p>
<p>10.<em>YES!!(I cannot tell you how often I do this)</em>Frequently misplaces things </p>
<p>11.<em>Somewhat Yes(I had this problem when young, but don't do it as much now, though I still do it)</em>Skips around while reading, or goes to the end first, trouble staying on track </p>
<p>12.<em>Somewhat Yes</em>Difficulty learning new games, because it is hard to stay on track during directions </p>
<p>13.<em>N/A</em>Easily distracted during sex, causing frequent breaks or turn-offs during lovemaking </p>
<p>14.<em>Y(sometimes I try to listen too much to try to compensate for drifting that I end up repeating the words in my head as the person says them, so it echos in my mind and I cannot even understand it, I think more of the words themselves instead of WHAT they mean...)</em>Poor listening skills </p>
<p>15.<em>YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!(I get bored usually within 5 seconds of inactivity, if I am not involved, or have no personal relevance to a conversation topic, I tune out instantly, but not on my own merit)</em>Tendency to be easily bored (tunes out) </p>
<p>Restlessness
16._YES!!!!(As I am writing this out, and while reading this list, I was fidgeting my leg, something I never not do while sitting. I've had people tell me that you are so "squirrely" and "cannot stay still", but I cannot help it. _Restlessness, constant motion, legs moving, fidgeting </p>
<p>17.<em>OMG YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!(My parents have been so upset that whenever I tell them about my day at school or about some other topic or rather, I walk around in circles, pacing, around the table. Talking as I walk, I cannot help it. If it is socially unacceptable to be walking as I speak, I often sway left and right while speaking, or tap my feet or use a lot of hand motion or head motion when speaking)</em>Has to be moving in order to think </p>
<p>18.<em>YES</em>Trouble sitting still, such as trouble sitting in one place for too long, sitting at a desk job for long periods, sitting through a movie </p>
<p>19.<em>YES(I am so anxiety prone that sometimes I just try to escape from it all and which may be why I try to find methods of escaping such as RPGS, videogames, or even substances)</em>An internal sense of anxiety or nervousness </p>
<p>Impulsivity
20.<em>YES I am a compulsive buyer, yes, also in words or actions, I find to be helpful in social situations at times, which may make me be classified as "fun and spontaneous" however, the behavior is very crippling in academic circumstances)</em>Impulsive, in words and/or actions (spending) </p>
<p>21._YES(I have gotten in much trouble with people by saying things that probably should not have been said. I.E. Offensive or even rascist. I usually feel terrible about it later but that seems to never help, the damage has been done, there are at least 3 people I know right now that will not even speak to me STILL because of this) _Say just what comes to mind without considering its impact (tactless) </p>
<p>22.<em>YES(I never read directions EVER, unless of course, "all else fails". I hate following the norm, just not appealing at all.)</em>Trouble going through established channels, trouble following proper procedure, an attitude of "read the directions when all else fails" </p>
<p>23._YES(I often snap very frequently with people, usually swearing and yelling for the most minor offense caused) _Impatient, low frustration tolerance </p>
<p>24.<em>YES!!!!!!!!(I want to cry as I read this, prisioner of the moment cannot be a better description. I can never plan ahead or see the future, and then actually execute it. I see the future as some unattainable dream that never will come to present. Though you should be working during the present FOR the future, I cannot honestly do this every day, and usually become bored of it because of lack of results(because the goal is so far away)</em>A prisoner of the moment </p>
<p>25.<em>N(but I should, let's just say I am very lucky, haha)</em>Frequent traffic violations </p>
<p>26.<em>YES(though it is with college majors, I've changed majors 6 times in 2 days. it really sucks)</em>Frequent, impulsive job changes </p>
<p>27.<em>YES(I don't know why, but I get such great joy out of having someone tell me something that is so WRONG and I KNOW it is wrong, and then BUSTING them on it HARD about how they are wrong. This is also true when I am more talented at something than others, such as a videogame, sport, or just getting a better grade on a test, I love rubbing it in. Though, I tend to do it in a joking manner, deep down, it is to make me feel better)</em>Tendency to embarrass others </p>
<p>28.<em>YES( I sometimes lie quickly, I have even stolen before, however do not anymore, but then again... I COULD be lying! =O)</em>Lying or stealing on impulse </p>
<p>Poor Organization
29.<em>YES(My room is a MESS, and when I say mess, it is LITERALLY like a hurricane hit it, and you do NOT even WANT to see my bathroom...)</em>Poor organization and planning, trouble maintaining an organized work/living area </p>
<p>30._YES!!!!!!!!(I have had so many lates it is not even funny, I am late to school almost every day, receiving many detentions and in school suspensions because of it. This also applies to situations where I am getting directly out of my bed to go somewhere, but something that is happening mid day. Usually I don't start getting ready until the time comes when I am suppposed to already be there, and then show no hustle when getting ready) _Chronically late or chronically in a hurry </p>
<p>31.<em>YES(applicable to clothes and towels in my room, haha, EVERYWHERE)</em>Often have piles of stuff </p>
<p>32.<em>YES(I feel overwhelmed sometimes to have to get the pan out, the eggs, cheese, open and closing the refriderator with multiple trips, and turning on the stove and waiting for it to heat and cook..........to make AN OMELETTE!! So I try finding things, even if I don't want them the most, that are just easier to do as a substitute, like grabbing a premade meal, this is why I like boxed lunch and most pantry items that do not require preparation)</em>Easily overwhelmed by tasks of daily living </p>
<p>33.<em>N/A</em>Poor financial management (late bills, check book a mess, spending unnecessary money on late fees) </p>
<p>Problems Getting Started and Following Through
34.<em>YES!!!!!!!!!!(Writing a paper is hell, and getting it started or homework for that matter, is wose)</em>Chronic procrastination or trouble getting started </p>
<p>35.<em>Mostly(I usually EVENTUALLY finish what I start, but starting is the hardest)</em>Starting projects but not finishing them, poor follow through </p>
<p>36.<em>YES!!!!!!(I am so energetic about classes and projects and papers with such optimism and motivation, only to be tossed into a spiral of procrastination and anxiety when the time comes to actually do work, I feel over confident most of the time that it seems SO easy that I just put it off more and MORE, until when I need to do it, I often discover it will take longer than expected)</em>Enthusiastic beginnings but poor endings </p>
<p>37.<em>YES!(this applies to tests and homework, I spend forever on it, often finishing last in classes for tests)</em>Spends excessive time at work because of inefficiencies </p>
<p>38.<em>YES!!(I usually can push out A's on the hardest Physics assignments and tests, and then end up getting a 50 on the next, this may be related to 36)</em>Inconsistent work performance </p>
<p>Negative Internal Feelings
39._YESSSS(I say this ALL THE TIME, I know I can do better, but it just doesn't happen because I just don't do it, then I feel like crap, but then do the minimum to not be a total loser, and get back on the right track, but only for a moment, then I am off again) _Chronic sense of under achievement, feeling you should be much further along in your life than you are </p>
<p>40._YES!!!( I feel terrible, just for when someone doesn't respond to a text message or call, or even not answering, or if someone seems to not be as inviting, I feel like crap usually for a week because of it) _Chronic problems with self-esteem </p>
<p>41.<em>Mostly(this would most likely be for when I procrastinate too much and now im screwed because of it)</em>Sense of impending doom </p>
<p>42.<em>YES!!!(my mom accused me of being bi-polar this past week, along with a few friends saying that it is crazy that you get really upset and then seem content a moment later)</em>Mood swings </p>
<p>43.<em>Mostly(I am usually negative to situations that do NOT involve me or an outcome that directly affects me. Though , I have had times where I am negative about the latter)</em>Negativity </p>
<p>44.<em>Mostly</em>Frequent feeling of demoralization or that things won't work out for you </p>
<p>Relational Difficulties
45.<em>YES!!!(I am terrible with this, I would say I am promiscuous, but also want a long term relationship, I want the best of both worlds, and I often impulsively change my mind about my feeling towards someone once intimacy is involved.)</em>Trouble sustaining friendships or intimate relationships, promiscuity </p>
<p>46.<em>YES</em>Trouble with intimacy </p>
<p>47.<em>YES!</em>Tendency to be immature </p>
<p>48.<em>YES!!(It's about me)</em>Self-centered; immature interests </p>
<p>49.<em>YES!!!(I see this, to me, as a good trait, to a certain extent at least)</em>Failure to see others' needs or activities as important </p>
<p>50.<em>YES(I dont know why but I just don't, I rather turn on my favorite cd when in a long car trip with a family member, than to talk to them.)</em>Lack of talking in a relationship </p>
<p>51._YES!!!(especially to my parents, and I feel bad that I do, but it seems hopeless) Verbally abusive to others </p>
<p>52.<em>YES</em>Prone to hysterical outburst </p>
<p>53.<em>(used to be, not so much anymore)</em>Avoids group activities </p>
<p>54.<em>YES!!!!(I cannot STAND authority, which may be why I have issues with teachers, parents, and government/police)</em>Trouble with authority </p>
<p>Short Fuse
55.<em>?</em>Quick responses to slights that are real or imagined </p>
<p>56.<em>YES!!!</em>Rage outbursts, short fuse </p>
<p>Frequent Search For High Stimulation
57._YES!!!!!(for the longest time I considered myself an adrenaline rush seeker. Gambling, racing, coasters, and multi-tasking/waiting to the last minute, is such a RUSH) _Frequent search for high stimulation (bungee jumping, gambling, race track, high stress jobs, ER doctors, doing many things at once, etc.) </p>
<p>58._YES!!!(many family members are tired with me constantly arguing, they say I argue for the sense of arguing, but I argue about that comment. I am hopeless) _Tendency to seek conflict, be argumentative or to start disagreements for the fun of it </p>
<p>Tendency To Get Stuck (thoughts or behaviors)
59.<em>YES!!(mostly for social situations though)</em>Tendency to worry needlessly and endlessly </p>
<p>60.<em>YES!!!!!(I was addicted to WoW for the longest time, really hurt me alot, I seem to be addicted to whatever is my prime interest at the time, always abusing it to no end)</em>Tendency toward ADHD ictions (food, alcohol, drugs, work) </p>
<p>Switches Things Around
61.<em>Mostly(I do this a lot when writing or taking tests, also in common speech with others, I may confuse phrases, or for instance, whenever I give an estimate that usually is said such as "ten to fifteen horses" I usually say the high number first, I don't know why but people usually point that out, and I say "fifteen to ten horses")</em>Switches around numbers, letters or words </p>
<p>62.<em>YES</em>Turn words around in conversations </p>
<p>Writing/Fine Motor Coordination Difficulties
63.<em>YES!!!!(So many times I say this to myself, I have so much emotion swirling in my mind, but I can never put it to words, usually it ends up being a very disorganized, unfocused paper, that does not clearly explain topic with clear examples.)</em>Poor writing skills (hard to get information from brain to pen) </p>
<p>64.<em>YES!!!!!(I have the WORST handwriting!!! I don't ever use cursive, and when printing, the words are terrible. I have tried VERY HARD to write with good clarity, but even when I take much time to write letters with as much precision and accuracy is possible, my handwriting only can rival with a 1st grader's)</em>Poor handwriting, often prints </p>
<p>65.<em>Not anymore</em>Coordination difficulties </p>
<p>The Harder I Try The Worse It Gets
66.<em>YES!!!(I buckle under pressure, usually when there is risk)</em>Performance becomes worse under pressure. </p>
<p>67.<em>Somewhat(my mind does not go blank, but rather, I take too long, but not so much as anxiety)</em>Test anxiety, or during tests your mind tends to go blank </p>
<p>68.<em>In some situations but no applicable to school</em>The harder you try, the worse it gets </p>
<p>69.<em>not really, unless it was because I had limited time to do it</em>Work or schoolwork deteriorates under pressure </p>
<p>70.<em>YES</em>Tendency to turn off or become stuck when asked questions in social situations </p>
<p>71.<em>YES(I used to read a book for about a page or two in order for me to fall asleep, 60% of the time it works everytime)</em>Falls asleep or becomes tired while reading </p>
<p>Sleep/Wake Difficulties
72.<em>YES!!!(I cannot sleep before midnight, which sucks when you have to wake up at 6, also I cannot sleep for at least 2 hours after coming home from a social situation, where stimulation was high)</em>Difficulty falling asleep, may be due to too many thoughts at night </p>
<p>73.<em>YES!!!(caffeinne helps alot, but doesn't go into affect until after I have waken)</em>Difficulty coming awake (may need coffee or other stimulant or activity before feeling fully awake) </p>
<p>Low Energy
74.<em>YES!!!!(the last 2 1/2 hours of the day, I am literally sleeping as I sit, this is also true for the first hour of the day)</em>Periods of low energy, especially early in the morning and in the afternoon </p>
<p>75.<em>YES!!!(it sucks, cannot pay attention in class or perform at quick speeds when testing)</em>Frequently feeling tired </p>
<p>Sensitive To Noise Or Touch
76.<em>YES!!!(i have accredited this to great reflexes)</em>Startles easily </p>
<p>77.<em>YES!!!!(for the longest time, if a shirt felt the SLIGHTEST bit of uncomfortableness, I would go stiff and squirm and just get a feeling of disgust and usually immidietely take it off, or move very slowly with the clothing)</em>Sensitive to touch, clothes, noise and light </p>
<p>K that is my really long list of explantions for all those symptoms. I have all of them or HAVE had all of them at some point at an exception of the ones that were not applicable.</p>
<p>Dealing with this SUCKS. And to any of you aholes who think this disorder is just a joke or lie to make money, please get cancer.</p>
<p>Sorry, I'm just tired of you guys. You have greatly offended me.</p>
<p>Secondly, Shrinkrap, what gives YOU the right to say that the symptom list is "nothing like it at all"? What merit do you have? </p>
<p>I am a Board Certified Child Psychiatrist. Some people think that's worthy of merit. What is the source of the checklist? Sounds like something from Brown, " Driven to Distraction", or maybe Dan Amen. Your symptom checklist may be accurate for you, but it suggests a lot of co-morbidity. Co-morbidity is very important when evaluating and treating people who present as teenagers and adults.</p>
<p>Comorbidity</a> - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</p>
<p>DSM-IV is the" official" source, somewhat agreed upon by researchers and insurance companies. A "Connor's" or "Achenbach" are well researched, standardized rating instruments.</p>
<p>Diagnostic</a> and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</p>
<p>Pursuing modifications with the posted checklist is likely to be unsuccessful. Bringing it to your doctor without a source may be unsuccessful as well.I think less then scientific criteria contributes to giving ADHD and sufferers a "bum rap".</p>
<p>DSM IV ADHD symptoms.
ADHD</a> - Symptoms of ADHD</p>
<p>But let the buyer beware; a simple "checklist" does not make a diagnosis.</p>
<p>It's important to note that not everyone with ADD or ANHD is given extra time. A complete evaluation is given by the psychologist, who may or my not determine the presence of ADD. Even then, the severity of it varies from person to person, and it may not warrant the extra time.</p>
<p>Also, to those who say that the student "had nothing wrong with them:"</p>
<p>How can you tell? I have a learning disability (not ADD) and NO ONE knows. I have completely normal behavior and friends. Just because you don't see something strange in their social life doesn't mean they don't need accommodations.</p>
<p>It seems that I have most of the symptoms of ADD and yet I do perfectly well in testing. I am a very excessively rude, disrespectful, impulsive guy and I will not do any homework when my parents are around. Do I have ADD? </p>
<p>Yet I get straight As and very high testing scores.</p>
<p>i took some adderall for finals. that stuff is crazy, all i wanted to do was work!!!!!</p>