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Following the medical vs the learning model has hidden the cause of ADHD |
adhd -
ADHD treatment is a systems, multi-faceted process for the whole family
Our ability to understand has always been limited by the development of our senses and our concepts. When Galileo developed the telescope, we began to explore the heavens in much more detail than previously possible. With the linear accelerator came the understanding of sub-atomic physics. With biochemistry came modern medicine.
Medicine’s germ theory in turn has been the conceptual marvel that has led to the eradication of many infectious diseases. Medicine has so fascinated us with its high technology and great advances, that it sometimes has prevented a search for answers in areas that don't really fit the medical model. It also provides huge fanancial reward to some in the medical community(drug companies for example), making the perpetuation of that model difficult to change to a model that might be more helpful.
This may be illustrated by the following story.
The Story of the Lost Keys
One man is walking down the street at night. He comes upon a second man who is on his knees under a street light digging in the gutter.
The first man asks, “What are you doing?” The second man answers, “Looking for my keys.” The first man asks, “Can I help?” The second man answers, “Sure, thanks.” The first asks, “Where did you lose your keys?” The second man replies, “Over there,” and he points into the darkness. The first asks, “Then why are you looking here?” The second man replies, “Because this is where the light is.”
Because of the demonstrated power of the medical model, medicine has an aura of being closer to the light of the truth, no matter where the keys to the problem were lost.
Within this metaphor, the
ADHD child is in the light provided by the language of the medical model. It is difficult to walk out of a light that has been so productive. Nevertheless, it is time to do so.
Our understanding of our intellectual and physical process has been organized around medical concepts. We have Mental Health Centers rather than Philosophy Nooks or Thought Barns. Initially cutting edge ideas like the medical model are a vehicle for increased progress. But as the models age, and when financial interests become entrenched, they inhibit the adoption of the next innovative model.
Advantages of the Conditioned Attentional Avoidance Loop Model
In contrast to the medical model, the advantage of the Conditioned Attentional Avoidance Loop Model for
ADHD is that it points a way to
treatment that directly alleviates the problem rather than controls it
The neurological hypotheses that are currently popular offer the patient little hope other than stimulant medication and behavior modification. Both of these approaches are directed at controlling ADHD but offer nothing toward correcting the core attentional problem.
The ADHD is a Conditioned Attentional Avoidance Loop , on the other hand, offers the probability of cure, as opposed to life-long management. CAER is a new treatment that "cures" that core attentional problem.
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