Are too many children being labeled hyperactive?
Countless children labeled hyperactive are being subdued with drugs like Ritalin. But many experts think they’re just naturally boisterous - and those needless pills are causing terrifying side-effects.
I’ll be one of the first to admit that I’m one of those people I think drugs like Ritalin are being WAY over prescribed.
Before my twins began school, I had a kindergarten teacher suggest to me that both my boys may be A.D.H.D.
I found this teachers “diagnosis” to be offensive and scheduled an appointment with our highly recognized pediatrician who would offer proper diagnosis of them being “normal” boys and instructed me to let the teacher know that our doctor would like to obtain a copy of her medical license.
Teachers have a rough job! I don’t disagree with that one bit, but I also think that any time a person pursues an education and career that deals with kids, they need to be able to handle the varied personalities of children.
They wouldn’t become firemen if they never wanted to feel the heat? Would they?
Some children are extroverted and loud while others are quiet and reserved. Just because a child is extrovert doesn’t mean they need drugs to calm them down and bring them under control.
Parenting is being outsourced too much the way it is. People are popping out babies and relying on daycares and babysitters to raise them.
What interest do these people have in the adult that child becomes? Once they reach a certain age, they’re no longer even a paycheck to them.
These are the same parents that complain time and again that they have no control over their children.
DUH! These parents weren’t there when the personality was being formed but rather placed the kid in an environment where pecking order had more influence on their behavioral traits then they did.
Once these behavioral traits have set in and the kids “dog-eat-dog” behavior is maturing, parents then outsource parenting to drugs like Ritalin.
I’m sure there are times when the drug is beneficial and that there are kids out there who can truly benefit from the medication. BUT the problem I have with the prescribing of these drugs is when parents pursue it for the benefit of the parent with complete disregard for the kid.
Thoughts?
Tags: ADD, ADHD, attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder, Parenting, ritalinRelated Stories
POSTED IN: Parenting
2 opinions for Are too many children being labeled hyperactive?
homemome3
Mar 26, 2007 at 5:28 am
I’m one of those parents as well. Last year I had one of my son’s reading teachers kind of warn me that the teacher was thinking of giving my son a test for his behavior. He was active in class and couldn’t sit still. Keep in mind they had controlled lunch, which meant they sat at a table in assigned seats and walked back to class when they were done. No talking, etc. They didn’t get recess until right before school was out around 2:40 p.m. Why would a kid not want to become active? Before this he was homeschooled, so it wasn’t like he was use to this type of a controlled enviroment. The reading teacher then asked how I’d feel about giving him drugs, I knew which she meant and I voiced my opinion without leaving anything out. They never did give him that test and he is just fine this year. All it took was a teacher that cared enough to pay a little attention and the school to release a bit of their control.
Tuere
Apr 22, 2007 at 10:29 am
I do think that ADD and ADHD is being over diagnosed as well as too much medication being thrown at the problem. I think there should behavior modification used on those who have ADD and ADHD not always resort to medication.
My eldest son who IS ADHD was recommended for medication in Kindergarten - at age 5. I flat out said no and tha they would have to figure out ways with behavior modification and other means throughout the day. The teacher said she wasn’t equipt to handle children that weren’t on correct grade level and tried to blame me that my son had no pre-school. (mind you pre school was about $200 a week for 4 hours - single mom me couldn’t afford it.) Luckily for me I had a principal who helped me through dealing with the teacher and recommending activites to be done at home. My son is 13 now, he still has issues but he also has the support he needs to keep progressing.
Kids need support from home and school to suceed.
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