[Quix]

Yes, it's a stimulant.

And, given the physiological feedback loops involved, when the child genetically/biochemically needs it--

IT DOES CALM THEM DOWN.

[Question_Assumptions]

I never claimed that it didn't calm them down and you'll notice that I didn't say that one should never use it. I know an adult with ADD. My point was that a lot of people seem to think that AD kids are too awake and that Ritalin is a sedative. ADD is more like your mind racing when you are too sleepy. Too many kids don't get enough sleep these days because parents (perhaps because they work long hours and want to spend time with their kids at night) don't seem to put their kids to bed early enough. If the kid doesn't have enough sleep, they can wind up with ADD-like symptoms and some parents have had some success with kids diagnosed with ADD by giving them more sleep. So my suggestion was to cut sugar and try more sleep before resorting to medication.