Misdiagnosis Of ADHD And Role Of The School Nurse

MISDIAGNOSIS OF ADHD AND ROLE OF A SCHOOL NURSE
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Abstract
ADHD or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is currently one of the most challenging neurobehavioral disorders in children. The effects of this condition are widespread and tend to spill over to family members as well as the community. As per the current statistics, the number of children who are diagnosed with ADHD is quite high. By taking the phrase ‘children are the future’ literally, it is indeed essential for schools as well as health centers to take measures to not only create awareness of the condition but also help prevent the misdiagnosis of the same. Within the school’s jurisdiction, school nurses are the chief or primary providers of health care in schools and therefore, they play a significant role in the diagnosis of conditions that students might be in danger of succumbing to. One of those conditions is ADHD which, apparently, is among the conditions which are highly misdiagnosed. Misdiagnosis has its effects, and they vary from simple and easily manageable issues to extremely severe and dangerous. Therefore, it is essential that school nurses get the diagnosis of a disease or condition right, lest they offer recommendations which are suitable for a particular condition.
The role of school nurses in the prevention of misdiagnosis of ADHD could be obvious to some people. However, others, including some school nurses, believe that they should be spared blame if at any time they are guilty of misdiagnosis. First of all, nurses can help in the identification of early signs and symptoms of ADHD. Their training, as well as education, should help them to make informed conclusions. Secondly, they can gauge the performance of any therapeutic measures that have been employed. School nurses can also help to create awareness about ADHD around the school. They can also sensitize parents about the condition and make them understand the measures to take if they suspect their child is a victim of the condition. Upon detection of suspicious signs and symptoms, school nurses can also recommend further study on a student. Early signs are never conclusive, and therefore, instead of jumping to an early conclusion, they can advise parents on their next step. School nurses can also recommend referrals for students for the confirmed cases. As a school nurse, it is expected that one will have connections or information regarding the best treatment facilities which they can offer parents. Finally, school nurses can also influence policy making in schools and therefore, making the environment conducive for students to learn without parents worrying about the safety of their children. A school nurse’ say matters, especially on matters related to health and therefore, they can use their knowledge to influence a school’s direction health-wise.
However, some other factors might also make school nurses’ role in the prevention of misdiagnosis of ADHD seem impossible or far from their job description. One such factor includes their lack of mental education and training in the detection or diagnosis of ADHD. This indeed makes them spectators in the quest to prevent misdiagnosis of this condition. Another factor incl...