I don’t think we should blame the medical side so much (except that fool psychologists are only pseudo-scientists who keep trying to prove themselves).
The real blame I think is ultimately our Dr. Spock society, where the child must never be crossed. Not only should they never be hit, but really, no consequences should ever be exacted. Just ignore them, right? Or worse, give in.
This applies both to parents and to teachers.
It used to be discipline included physical aspects. Nowadays it’s such a no-no that even “grabbing the arm” of a (ironically) striking-out kid is called “abuse”.
Parents were told physical punishment is never to be used, and of course, they included teachers and admin, who incorporated that in their policies. Never, ever touch a student. Even when they’re “touching” others.
Which further degenerated into “don’t look at them funny”, and just ignore it. Maybe sometimes send them to the office - where again noone can do anything but call a parent.
The kids are spoiled rotten from home and they KNOW the teachers can’t do anything at school. Ask my mom. At least in Special Ed she was allowed to “hug” them to keep them from thrashing or moving. But in regular school - not a thing.
Should’ve followed up my thoughts.
Of course, I was long-winded as it was!
Anyway, the schools are ham-strung (mostly by themselves) and cannot deal with children in a serious manner. So, it seems they latched onto this “disease” idea to get drugs which would help control the kids! Just because they themselves can’t do it.
I think ADD/etc can be real; I just don’t think it’s nearly as epidemic as it seems in reality. I think too many scared and lazy schools use it as a crutch (never mind parents when they’re uptight about how the child is in school).