Posted on 11/19/2006 9:59:54 AM PST by paulat
DON'T DRUG THEM
Parents' obsession with their children's self-esteem plus profit-driven diagnoses create a dangerous prescription
Lawrence Diller
In our zeal to help our children feel better about themselves, are we really doing them any favors, or could we actually be hurting them?
[snip]
Several years ago, I treated an 8-year-old patient who had an IQ of 130 but was getting only B's and C's at his private school because he wouldn't turn in his homework despite his teachers' and parents' best efforts. He was more focused on reading adult level texts about the Sahara desert, his current interest. But he was feeling worse and worse about his less-than-stellar grades, so I ultimately prescribed Ritalin for him. After that experience and many similar ones, I began to wonder if someday I'd be seeing "the last normal child" in my office.
[snip]
ADHD has become the ubiquitous way we view problems of children's behavior and performance. While the Centers for Disease Control report 2.5 million children take a medication for ADHD, most research epidemiologists say the number is closer to 4 million. A more precise gauge comes from a medication insurance clearinghouse report that shows nearly 1 in 10 11-year-old white boys is currently treated with a stimulant such as Ritalin.
[snip]
First, we should make a concerted effort to involve fathers more immediately and directly in the evaluation of their children's behavior or school performance
[snip]
Father's involvement is critical. He often has a different perspective than the mom (he generally sees less of a problem because he's around less and also stereotypically is more effective with discipline). His participation with any behavior plan (or medication treatment for that matter) makes its success far more likely than without him.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
I wonder what kind of men these boys will turn out to be?
Our son was diagnosed by the school counselor as been ADD because he gazed out the window instead of doing the work in his workbooks in third grade. I was in tears but on the way out of the meeting, my husband asked, "what percentage of kids are ADD or ADHD?" The counselor said, "49% of boys" so my husband snapped back that it was therefore normal and the school had to deal with it. We decided to use adrenalin instead of ritilin and we bought Dobson's book, "Strong Willed Children." I wish we had had the TV show Dog Whisperer but anyway, he turned out okay.
Oh they're "cured" all right.
More than they know, they are indeed very "cured".
Good news! I realize some kids need some help...I'm just noting that we're shutting down normal outlets for boys, especially.
I need to bookmark the article...my 4-year old is already getting diagnoses of ADHD...he's simply a VERY active 4-year old BOY!
You were a normal child, and you turned into a normal person.
This guy has a book, too...I liked the article because he admits he used to inappropriately prescribe meds. He doesn't seem like a "no drugs, ever" freak.
This son didn't like organized sports but got a green belt in Tae Kwon Do, road across the state on his bicycle, learned to play the guitar, was in choir, jazz band and rep theater in HS. He now is leaving a job as a geologist to play string bass in a band - he plays five instruments brilliantly. He's a pretty neat kid.
Yes, these doctors and therapists have created a prescription clutching highly dependent customer for life.
My 2 1/2 year old son suddenly entered his "terrible twos" phase in the last couple of weeks. He always does the exact opposite of what we ask him to do or not to do. It struck me that his behavior could be described as "hyperactive" and that if an older child acted this way in school, perhaps the teacher would recommend drugs. But he's really just acting like a normal boy.
I'm curious...how did you feel when you were taking Ritalin...could you feel a difference?
Just think of the number of truly diverse genius' which have been drugged into submission by a post 60s/70s antiestablishment drug culture which got its wish to control whatever they sought. Those who rebel from legitimate authority, rarely, if ever, truly respect children or future generations.
Gotta laugh, 'cause I pretty much raised my brothers and sister. That's the age when they learn the concept of "no" (meaning, THEY can say "no")
A lot of people on FR hate Bill Gates, but you gotta give him his due...and he is rumored to have a mild form of behavior disorder.
I started out as a "no drugs, ever" kind of parent. However, I am thinking, if the doctors are ok with us giving him something ONLY when he has to be at peak attention (school, church) then good.
If they don't agree with that approach, too bad, because that's how I intend to treat my Andy.
It's interesting, when I was growing up, our Catholic church had a "cry room" with windows, but shut off from the rest of the congregation, so moms could see the service, but the kids could be kids.
That said...even the kids had to somewhat toe-the-line...this was early 60s Catholicism, for pete's sake!
But I think it was nice to provide a room, instead of a drug.
IMHO, I've met sharper idiot savants than Bill Gates....
...and your net worth is.... ;)
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