"I agree that when I was a child, all these health problems did not exist. We have to realize that we also did not have so many preservatives, hormones and God knows what other chemicals they are putting into our foods. We did not eat as much fast foods and we ran around and played outside with our friends instead of sitting in front of a TV with a bag of chips. I do not agree with medicating kids. All medications have side effects. I work with students and I have seen sad cases where they are so over medicated that they cannot even focus. But, this is usually when they are just starting up on the medication and/or until their dosage is adjusted. After that, I see a great improvement in them. I not think a teacher should tell a parent that their child needs mediction. I would suggest to them to see their doctor and find out if there is anything that can help their child focus and let the doctor be the one to suggest medication."

"I am a Licensed Social Worker, who, as I call it, has been enlightened and converted away from 'the dark side.' For years I worked with kids. I love children and am passionate about them. After working in schools, residential facilities, psych hospitals and with the foster care system I came away with one burning desire: To educate people on whats really going on in the Mental Health Field. These kids are not disordered, disturbed, diseased or distorted. They are ignored, rejected, hurt, untaught, unloved and unattached. Why is that all of a sudden we have this new phenomanon of drugging our children? It didnt happen a generation ago. Funny how whole 'diseases' are showing up now. When I have questioned psychiatrists about their choice of DX and medication I have actually heard the words 'JOB SECURITY' come out of their mouths!!!!!!! Our nation is brainwashed, lazy and want quick fixes to human problems. So, we pop a pill in the kids mouth and there you have it: a chemical b! abysitter or in most cases a straitjacket. These drugs are robbing childhoods and killing kids!! YES, killing kids. Even if percentages are low, would you risk your childs life to be in that one percent to save you from being irritated by his or her behavior? Its sick. The money that is pocketed is sick, the kickback vacations doctors are taking is sick, the money given to schools based on dx is sick. Its all sick. WAKE UP America. Think for yourselves instead of blinding doing what someone says just because they have an MD by their name. They do not have your childs interests at heart. Love your kids, dont stifle them."

"Get over it, I work in a pharmacy and ADHD medications are no more dangerous than antidepressants(which i have been on for years) there are always going to be side effects-there are for any medication. I have done much research on this topic for my masters degree and I believe that the bebefits outweigh the risks 100%, if she needed it i would not hesitate to put my daughter on these medications"

"In my school, we are told never to tell a parent that we think a child needs medication. We, as teachers, can relay to the parents the behavior we see in class but should not try to diagnosis a child. I had a child this year who displayed characteristics of ADD. The parent and I spoke and the difficulties he was having were not new to her. She contacted her pediatrician and went through different avenues. The end diagnosis was depression. The child is now medicated and what a difference. However, I would never have suspected depression. "

"The only problem with most children this day and time is that they have too much free time on their hands. Way back when they worked in the fields all day beside their families, till dark, they were too tired to act out and get in so much trouble. No matter what the problem per a particular child, it is really none of a teachers buisness as I see it to tell anyone their child needs medication. I don't think it is an instructors job, or that is in their expertise, to tell anyone such a thing about their chidren. We have become comletely disabled by our own laws, for our children in our own school systems. Since when did it become the teacher who knows all that our children need, or who even know our children best? We are way to rapped up in the books, the standards, the end of grade tests, that actually are doing alot more for the teacher and school. That test at the end of the year doesnt say anything about the special abilities a child has, it just says they did or didnt t! est as high as others in their level. Well really people. Dont let that define what you already know about your kids. Dont tag them like that or let anyone do such to them. Find your childs strengths and help them fly with their ideas, and if they have a weekness dont tell them they are no good at it, or that they feel to good, have to much energy, if they drag around with their head hung down then someone else would say they are depressed and need medication for that. GOD, oh yes I said it GOD, and school in the same paragraph, made us all different. We all learn differently. Why are we expected to read and understand the same thing from teh same book? My eldest son, I cant get him to read unless its something he is interested in. He is the hardest child I have ever dealt with to get him to do anything. But give him a science project and his little squirmy, mouthy self calms right down. My youngest, we got him more books on mechanical things, he is intersested therefore he! doesnt seems to need medication as much. lol. Point is in a h! uge clas s with lots of students its impossible I know, to individualize every childs learning abilities, out side of the govermental standard, but if teachers could maybe they wouldnt be so quick to diagnose our children with anything especially when they are not qualified. Its your job as a paren to find what that learning curve for your child is. Listen to your heart, because after all we parents know best no matter what they would have us believe, because we dont visit these children once a day a few hours, we carry them with us in our hearts everywhere we go, so we know them best. "

"NOW THAT I READ YOUR ADD ABOUT ADHD MEDICATION BEING DANGERUOS I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT ARE THE CONSECUENCES, MY DAUGHTER WAS DOAGNOSED WITH THIS AND I WAS TOLD LATER THAT SHE WAS BEING MEDICATED, IT DOES WORRY ME MUCH."

"I thought the article was very helpful. I think people worry about what others may think or say about a child being on medication. I think you have to do what is best for the child. Is the child failing in school? Perhaps the medication could make a difference. If the child takes the medication and there is no good result you can always stop the medication."

"I am in agreement with Dr. Gianesin. It is something that you should look into with your pediatrician. If your child is diagnosed with ADHD there are all kinds of measures that can be taken. Medication can be right for some children. The important thing is to become educated and make an educated decision based on what is best for the child. I have siblings that had to be medicated for ADHD while in school and is helped immensley. They went from C/D averages to mostly A's. And as adults they have been able to gradualy get off the medication and lead very productive lives. I have found with my own children that the easiest way to control behavior is first with diet. Be very careful with sugar and food coloring. Red 4 can cause hyperactivity in many children and is found in almost everything including bologna! A teacher should not suggest medication as an answer. They should always let you know how your child is behaving in school. And in some cases it can be a personality conf! lict. If all adults will act as adults then the problems can be resolved easily. "

"I had a similar issue with my second grade son and the teacher insisted that he needs help/medication. At home my son was a totally different child than what his teacher described to me. I went against the teacher's judgment and decided to have my son moved to a different class. And thankfully since that day he behaves like the son I know. His new teacher praises him daily, he is doing exceptionally well in class and is very happy. Sometimes it can simply be a non-compatibility issue between the teacher and the child."

"If your child's teacher EVER suggests that you should have your son or daughter be put on medication they are clearly in the wrong! I have a 12 year old son that was diagnosed with ADHD in 2nd grade. He takes concerta to help keep him focused and calm through the day. He is healthy and continues to thrive at home and at school. ADHD and such 'labels' are NOT diseases, rather DISORDERS. The medication is one of many tools parents and educators use to help our children function. If my child was diabetic, I would not deny him insulin. If he were disabled, I would not deny him a wheel chair. I would love to know how many of those against the medication have ever had to raise a child with ADHD and see the difference the medication makes ALONG with behavioral therapy, diet and exercise, lots and lots of love and patients. If you do have to deal with this and decide not to medicate, that is great. But to those who have no idea, don't be so quick to decide that the drugs a! re bad. "

"It is unlawful in Texas and otehr states for teachers to suggest a diagnosis or recommend a drug. It is unlawful federally for schools to requre such. More importantly it is severely damaging to children to label and drug them for nonexistent diseases. John Breeding, PhD Texans For safe Education www.wildestcolts.com"

"I don't think we should medicate our children simply because we don't know the long term affects on children.The teacher must realize that children make up 1/3 of our population but all our future."