I'll bet I'm not gonna make too many "friends" with this one it has nothing to do really with any JSHers ......while I admit to being ADHT when I was younger, there were no diagnosis, and it was cured simply by me being taught my place. While I don't condone the beatings some of us got growing up, I can appreciate it a lot more when I see parents/children of todays society. These days, it seems as though there are far too many folks willing to put their children on "safe" drugs, to cure them of something that could be curbed with just a little more discipline.
.......A twenty year old can now be considered disabled, and collect a lifetimes worth of S.S., simply because the parent showed them they could get something for nothing. Point the finger everywhere but at yourself, place blame, and settle back in your easy chair, convincing yourself that you've done the best for them, when it's really little more than making excuses, and passing the buck. Then, fill 'em up with twenty years worth of whatever makes you the hero, and convincing them that they're "sick". They pay attention as you only collect your mail on the first of the month, and you've shown them a path. Kind of a snowball effect......
......There are, of course, cases I've seen where that D student becomes an A, after Ridalin, but he could have been an A student all along, with a little more direction and attention.
.....What's your take?
......OK, lambaste me, tell me what's up........I'll wait.
......

i think medicating children is a gateway to other things...youre the parent deal with it...dont take the easy way out and make them a zombie

ADHD...Every kid has it these days, and every parent wants to medicate it. I was told I had it when I was 15 took meds for about a year, didn't like them, so I stopped. Now I live a somewhat healthy existance without medication at all, although I talk to myself...

My son's ADD and I opt not to medicate him, with the encouragement of his doctor and teachers. It's challenging to say the least. He's never been medicated so I can't tell you if it makes a difference or not but if I felt the problem was bad enough, I would. Thankfully, it's not. We really can't judge parents, though, until we've been in their shoes. I don't think it should be a first line, though, unless a child is very clearly out-of-control.

my son is ADHD and I would have been diagnosed if they had that then. He is on Ritalin but I won't let him use it as a crutch. He tried to say when younger that something happened because he forgot to take his meds. I wouldn't let him get away with it and told him...it's only to help him...not cure him.

He is a strong young man now. (still takes it but doesn't rely on it). He knows he is accountable for his actions and his school work.

He wants to get a degree and become a cop...which I'm proud. He doesn't try to use it as a crutch anymore and is a better person for it.

I won't let anyone use that excuse for him either.

everyone in life has things that they can use to blame or as a crutch. Being strong means not using them

I believe there are reasons for things....not excuses

ADHD is really over-diagnosed... I'll admit, there are some that are being drugged without cause... but there are some who really can't control it. If you had ever met a real ADHD person, and seen them one day with and one day without the drugs you could tell. My younger brother is really hard to deal with when he hasn't had his meds, but with them he does do a lot better. It's all personal preference.

Ritilan actually works the opposite for those without the problem.

Ritalin, Concerta, and Aderall are the most commonly prescribed medications.

Social Security does not continue following the eighteenth birthday after a diagnosis of ADHD or ADD without a verified diagnosis by a psychologist. For it to continue, the person must be severely afflicted and truely have this disorder.

My issue is not at all with the parents, but rather the individuals incorrectly diagnosing these children. It's not unlike how everyone is suddenly "bipolar"....

The doctors have the control here.

I always thought Ritalin was nothing more than sugar...and doctors just say it helps so they can make money, which in actuality the true affects of Ritalin on the mind and body is controlled by the person taking it (as with all medications). Just slap your kid over the head when they act out and get on with it, no need to pay money for a "magic" pill.

It's because it's basically a stimulant... it seems weird to give hyperactive kids a stimulant, but it stimulates the part of the brain controlls attention.

As for the overdiagnosis part... hey, I'm working on it. I'll get my psych degree sometime.

Thanks for the thoughts, obviously, I wasn't talking about ALL parents........

people with ADD or ADHD actually do have a problem. It's something in their brains that won't let them focus. It's like switching channels on the TV alot.

Ritalin helps slow it down to help them concentrate. the ones that don't really have the problem...it's like taking speed. It has the opposite effect.

But Ritalin is NOT a cure. You can't just rely on that. Then it becomes a crutch. Parents have to teach the kids to deal with it and not rely on it.

It's like teaching a child with dyslexia. They learn different.
With ADD/ADHD...the meds help them so they can learn a way to learn better without having to rely on it.

I would prefer not to have my son on it but he did need it to help him. He is being taken off of it because he has learned to not rely on it and learning new ways to learn and focus

Oh hun..i didn't assume you were

Just stating from one parents aspect

Yes, yes, now we're getting somewhere!

some meds can make them zombies. it's finding the right one. I can see you view, but for me, it's part of dealing with it. But like i said...I will NOT use it as a crutch or excuse and won't let my son either

Guess What i Have Addhd, and i wouldn't change me for nothing Love me !

As for the S.S. matter, I know for fact that some still collect beyond 21 from an ages old diagnosis, by a child psychologist in the Social Services area, who listened more to what the parent said than by a thorough examination of the child. No second opinion, or follow ups, for that matter. What is at the heart of the matter for me, is what this child has learned, and where he/she's going to be doing in ten years. A productive member of society, or a lech! Children learn what they live!

By the way, Thanks Dad!

Children with ADD or ADHD.. what ever...Just channel it.. put them into sports or something else they enjoy.

people over medicate for everything.
I am in the medical field.. its to common.

PEOPLE... YOU DONT HAVE TO TAKE A MEDICATION FOR EVERYTHING!
what happened back before these drugs?

and if we acted up.. we got beat... not taken to the doctor!

I guess I didn't realize that people collected SS for it.