Medicating Children With Symptoms Of ADHD

When my son was in the second grade, his teacher suggested he have an evaluation for Attention Deficit Disorder.
Coping with the consequences of a divorce, our home had become an organizational disaster area, throwing my son into an emotional orbit. There were changes in his daily routine and children go haywire when their environment provides them little, or poor structure. During this time in our family my son was hyper, restless , and unhappy. Although he was voted "best character" in his school's yearbook the year before our family problems.

It got to where I could pinpoint when he would bring a disciplinary letter home from school. You can see why his teacher was concerned since she certainly didn't have a clue what was happening in our home.

Educators, child psychologists, and parents alike, often blame the child, instead of looking at what our kids may be experiencing at any given moment.

This is not to suggest we ignore teachers and child psychologists advice, or not pay close attention to our children's' behavior; however, you have to be careful, when considering putting your child on a potentially harmful medication.
Moreover, we have to watch being over zealous in our attempt to help kids who suffer from both, Attention Deficit Disorder, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. With so many children on drugs (ADHD medication) that have a street drug value, there is certainly cause for alarm.

It seems regardless of the consequences, parents, physicians, and educators, are quick to assess, and medicate children with social and behavior problems, misdiagnosing these kids with ADD or ADHD. This raises concern over the question, that we may be overlooking better treatments, and options for kids with ADD or ADHD.

After the opposition to an evaluation, my sons' teacher insisted on the completion of a written list of symptoms, confirming his behavior. However, the questions to the evaluation were general. For example, " Is your child easily bored or distracted?" Now, how can you answer that? Especially, if you are opposed to putting your child on medication, and your answers may suggest your child has ADD or ADHD. It's easier to prescribe medication instead of looking at all the options, especially when a professional suggests it.

Why do we make it our children's problem, then define them as having something wrong with them, simply because they are higher strung than other children? When many of these kids would benefit from a highly structured environment, with daily routines. We need to stop being indolent, and start looking into the many alternatives that are producing positive results.

Alternatives to medicines are out there; although like children taking medication, these alternatives should be part of a comprehensive treatment program. Parental counseling, educational plans, and social training, are the essential ingredients to any successful treatment program, which needs to be in place with or without medication.

For example parents should research a comprehensive treatment program whether their child
is on medication or not.

So we all need to focus on the whole picture when it comes to treating and diagnosing ADHD.
You know your child better than anyone else, so listen to your own instincts, especially on an issue as important ADHD.



Note from author- This article is referring to my personal experience with my sons symptoms of ADHD. All parents should follow the advice of their medical professional when considering medicating their children. These are the opinions of a writer and parent not a medical professional derived from personal experience and shouldn't be used as a basis for making such an important and personal decision. Everyones situation and experiences are different and need to be considered on a individual basis by medical professionals.



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