At the Willow Centre, our view is that Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD or ADHD) is over diagnosed in today’s society.  The diagnosis consists of a checklist of symptoms, such as “fails to pay close attention to school work, does not seem to listen when spoken to, is easily distracted, often squirms in his seat, has difficulty playing quietly and has difficulty waiting his turn”, for example, all of which could result from the behaviour of a normally rambunctious child or reflect a child in emotional distress.  When medication is employed, the child’s symptoms may be subdued, but the sources of distress remain.  We believe that a child’s troubling behaviours are communications that need to be understood, rather than viewed as symptoms of an “illness”.  Children’s worries are often complex, irrational and confusing both to themselves and their parents.  A careful and thorough psychological evaluation of the child can often help to understand the sources of his or her distress, and then pave the way for interventions that can provide some long lasting results.  We believe understanding can be more powerful than drugs.