Unfortunately, many intense, sensitive, over-excitable, more-able neurodiverse children, teenagers  (and adults) are being mis-diagnosed or labelled by educational and health care professionals. The most common misdiagnosis are: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Oppositional Defiant Disorder (OD), Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and Mood Disorders such as Cyclothymic Disorder, Dysthymic Disorder, Depression, and Bi-Polar Disorder.

Ignorance

These common misdiagnoses stem from an ignorance among professionals about specific social and emotional characteristics of over-excitable more-able children which then are mistakenly seen by these professionals as characteristics of psychological disorders.

Doubt about Diagnosis

Parents who come in contact with PowerWood have sometimes children who have been diagnosed with a psychological disorder while their parents don’t feel confident about or sometimes even doubt the diagnosis and feel relieved when they learn how they can support children, teenagers or young adults appropriately.

Further Reading

We would like to recommend the following book:
‘Misdiagnosis and Dual Diagnosis of Gifted Children and Adults: ADHD, Bipolar, OCD, Asperger’s, Depression, and other Disorders’ written by Jim Webb and his colleagues.

You can also read more in this SENG article

“…  a modern tragedy. many of our brightest, most creative, most independent thinking children and adults are being incorrectly diagnosed as having behavioural, emotional, or mental disorders.” James T. Webb

Emotion Regulation

Multilevel Emotion Regulation Theory (MERT) is a holistic theory developed by  Simone de Hoogh.  The theory explains how neurodiverse (young) individuals and parents of neurodiverse children can develop emotional regulation skills and direct their energy towards self-chosen goals, and contribute to society.    

Exploring Neurodiversity – E-Book

FREE for FRIEND PowerWood Community members.

By Simone de Hoogh and other Active Contributors