The pressure schools place on parents to medicate

My oldest child (now 17) was diagnosed ADD, she is inattentive only. We tried behavior therapy for a while, to see if it would help her in school. We reached the point when she came home and told me she … Continue reading →

My oldest child (now 17) was diagnosed ADD, she is inattentive only. We tried behavior therapy for a while, to see if it would help her in school. We reached the point when she came home and told me she was crying at her desk because she had NO IDEA what they were talking about in math class. She was in fourth grade at that time. I very reluctantly started the medication process. She had an immediate positive reaction and came home in awe that she could actually complete an entire worksheet without distraction. She does not need it when she is not in school. Now that she is 17 it is her decision when to take the meds, or not at all. She still tells me she can tell when she forgets.

My son (now 9 years old). Is a VERY high energy smart guy. He has a difficult time sitting still and loves to talk. He will complete his work and become a distraction. When we study for tests at home he needs to walk while I ask him questions (that he responds to correctly) Yesterday he was asked to leave his gym class because he ‘would not listen’. She was trying to instruct the class and typical to him, he was moving around while she was talking and she was sick of it.. He is never hurtful to anyone in a physical or emotional way. The school has been saying he’s ADHD since first grade. ALthough he does not have any academic problems, I’m being pressured to put him through the diagnosis process. I know it’s all so he can be medicated. I would like to see you speak to the pressures schools place on parents to medicate their children, you seem to have the opposite feeling. I was highly pressured with my daughter as well. It makes their lives much easier to have students who sit at their desks all day long and listen attentively.

I believe my son is not ADHD, but is a kinesthetic learner. THe school does not recognize this. I know from experience with my daughter even when they do have an IEP or 504 plan in place they are rarely used in the classroom. I believe they use them to help the student during state-standardized testing, mandatory in my state.

Saying an ADHD diagnoses due to bad parenting is extremely insulting. We rarely watch TV and have limited “screen time”. Both children listed above have a huge love of reading, we cannot supply enough books. We are also healthy eaters. They simply don’t fit into the small ‘mold’ that is public school. I do not think its fair to blame me for that.