Until now, I've always thought that Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder was a real disorder that children had. Some characteristics that promote a diagnosis is the inability to sit still, constant fidgeting and hyperactivity as stated in the name. Children who are diagnosed with ADHD are prescribed certain medications that are said to control the disorder by calming kids down and allowing them to focus more, especially in school. Often this disorder is diagnosed quick and with little to no observation by doctors, just a short exam visit.
It is said that ADHD is over diagnosed in this country and is a "way to label normal kids as having a problen"(Lawson,2006). Research indicates that 3 to 5% of kids have severe symptoms of ADHD. Ritalin is a medicine often used in ADHD cases among children. According to Lawson, Ritalin is a stimulant and can improve performance in anyone who takes it. In fact, if a child is diagnosed with having the disorder, the parent shouldnt immediately push to give the child Ritalin.
Based on scientific evidence I stand neutral in the idea of kids having ADHD and medications used to treat it. I am not for Ritalin or against it and in fact I believe it should be used only when necessary.We shouldnt allow doctors to label our children, yes they practice medicine but they DO NOT indeed know medicine and the altering effects. This seems confusing, but different medicines affect people in different ways and doctors just cant use a sample of people to represent the total population.
I feel that every child learns and develops at different paces and different ways. I think ADHD is a product of the school districts and how they expect every child to learn and behave the same way, and obviously they have something wrong with them if they are outside of the norm. ADHD kids are the ones that teacher and doctors encourage the parents to have them medicated so its easier to handle those children and I have never agreed with giving a child Ritalin.
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