MEDICATING OUR CHILDREN

April 2000
		Are we overmedicating our children? When should doctors prescribe psychiatric drugs for kids? Should there be restrictions imposed for younger children? Here's a sampling of some of your comments we received.

Forum introduction Ritalin for children under 5. Diagnosing ADHD Diet and ADHD Is our definition of 'normal' accurate? Adults and medication Additional Comments     Health Spotlight: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder March 24, 2000: Treating ADHD The NewsHour's Health Spotlight. More NewsHour health coverage.	Carol Welch of Olympia, WA writes: My son is ADD and had been on medications with counseling since about 3rd grade. He tests out well above average on IQ and other tests. In 8th grade, he decided he did not want to be "different" by taking medications. Since stopping medications, he has gone from being an A & B student to being a D and F student. He is now in 10th grade. He recently agreed to go back on medications & his school performance has drastically improved. ADD is covered under the ADA because it is a NEUROLOGICAL disorder. I hope the focus of this discussion leads to the testing needed to confirm the neurological dysfunction associated with this disorder rather than this off-center debate of whether children should be medicated or not. Medications are essential for this disorder. We tried to use Sylvan, biofeedback, mental illness counseling, diet and just about anything else loving, caring parents tried. NOTHING works but the medications along with a knowledgeable professional who understands the ADD issue as a neurological disorder NOT a mental health problem nor simply a BEHAVIORAL issue. Medications plus counseling (see the recent studies plus other longitudinal studies that support the role of medications and counseling in ADD) together have a much more positive outcome for ADD people than either alone and certainly than no help at all. Ken Rose of Northfield, MN writes: Do children truly have a deficiency of Ritalin? Can't we honor the wisdom of the body? Given the proper glyconutrition they can regain their sanity which they sacrificed to the chemical pollution of our world. They are the modern day canaries for a polluted world. Ritalin is eliminated and harmony presides. we have poisoned our children. Bruce Tabashneck of Huntington Woods, MI writes: Medication provides an opportunity for students to be successful. Great effort occurs in health care professionals considering this decision. The consequences of waiting or avoiding treatment can lead to long term torment of a child. They never gain the self-esteem or self-confidence needed for learning. These unmedicated students grow up believing that there is something wrong with them. CJ Cox of Los Angeles, CA writes: What is wrong with children being physically active? Isn't the institution mistaken when it asks kids to sit still at the very time in their life when they are supposed to be using their bodies? Of course the teacher would like to sit and have everyone quiet...but physical activity is the cornerstone of brain functioning!!!!!