Lecture Series Notes: 

Attention Deficit Disorder Talk 

by Don Mordasini, LFT  

Lecture notes by Don Hilbert:

On November 15, 2000, Don Mordasini gave a talk on ADD. He started by asking for introductions and requests for foci from audience, which was diverse: animal behaviorist, fellow-therapist, teachers, & parents.  He then organized his presentation accordingly.  First, he identified himself as having a severe case of ADD, along with some of his family members. He differentiated the "clinical" disorder from a mere collection of "traits." Speaking from experience, he gave an impassioned condemnation of stigma.

ADD sufferers tend to be either bullies or victims; their frustration creates obstinacy and low self-esteem. Defiance, anger, and power struggle may accompany an aggression that needs to be stopped early.

The true ADD victim is born, not made: inadequate dopamine: medication is indicated. An adult sufferer may require neuroleptics to address a lack of impulse control and wild rage. Diagnosis requires time.  After an extended analysis of whole behavior, written tests can be applied. ADD has indeed been "over-diagnosed," with the regrettable consequence of some genuine victims never being diagnosed. Interventions involve ruling out mere learning disabilities, which in fact, often accompany ADD. Parents must insist on the schools' cooperation to accommodate conditions specific to the ADD child; such as tutoring, extended time, modified homework assignments, and/or Special Ed.

Adult onset does not exist, but ADD may manifest itself as such as late as 7th grade. For the child l2 years or older, negotiation rather than discipline must be applied. Treatment for the adult ADD sufferer, who is often an over or under achiever experiencing an anxiety disorder or depression, includes getting a good diagnosis, using meds, getting therapy, working on self-esteem, and making modifications such as a non-distracting workplace. Ritalin can enormously enhance quality of life. Mr. Mordasini treats ADD sufferers as part of a team, with other team members supplying approaches such as biofeedback.  Diana Wickowicz spoke about the biofeedback procedure.

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