After Noelle Demo was diagnosed with ADHD in sixth grade, she began taking Ritalin. Her performance at school and in gymnastics improved dramatically. But after a year on medication, she began to have doubts about taking the drug. A few weeks into the seventh grade, Noelle stopped taking Ritalin.

The Demos live near Denver, Colorado, where there is an active anti-medication movement. One of the movement's leaders, Patti Johnson, sits on the Colorado State School Board. In the fall of 1999, the school board held hearings to discuss ADHD, and ultimately passed a resolution urging school districts not to pressure parents to medicate their children.

Despite this resolution, Noelle's seventh grade teacher was pleased when Noelle decided to resume her medication.

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