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November 14, 2009 03:01 AM
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Definitely not! It would have to be bad for me to give my child that kind of medication even if was recommended by a doctor.
The medications for hyperactivity, such as Ritalin, have so many bad side effects.
.......resembles the stimulant characteristics of cocaine. Short-term effects can include nervousness and insomnia, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, dizziness, palpitations, headaches, changes in heart rate and blood pressure (usually elevation of both, but occasionally depression), skin rashes and itching, abdominal pain, weight loss, and digestive problems, toxic psychosis, psychotic episodes, drug dependence syndrome, and severe depression upon withdrawal.
http://www.drugfree.org/Portal/Drug_guide/Ritalin
I would work with the doctor(s) to find the real reason for the hyperactivity or behavioral problem. I wouldn't stop until I found a solution other than medicating. If all else failed, I would homeschool, focusing on providing a calm, organized environment and a healthy, organic, preservative free diet, along with a lot of love.
The medications for hyperactivity, such as Ritalin, have so many bad side effects.
.......resembles the stimulant characteristics of cocaine. Short-term effects can include nervousness and insomnia, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, dizziness, palpitations, headaches, changes in heart rate and blood pressure (usually elevation of both, but occasionally depression), skin rashes and itching, abdominal pain, weight loss, and digestive problems, toxic psychosis, psychotic episodes, drug dependence syndrome, and severe depression upon withdrawal.
http://www.drugfree.org/Portal/Drug_guide/Ritalin
I would work with the doctor(s) to find the real reason for the hyperactivity or behavioral problem. I wouldn't stop until I found a solution other than medicating. If all else failed, I would homeschool, focusing on providing a calm, organized environment and a healthy, organic, preservative free diet, along with a lot of love.
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November 13, 2009 03:16 AM
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I would start by discussing this with the child's pediatrician. Hopefully, the doctor can help the parent navigate the incredibly complex issues surrounding the variety of real biological issues that demand pharmacological help, and issues that are more appropriately treated with changes in environment, behavior modification, and helping the child understand their own behavior in a social context.
Unfortunately, there are no simple answers, though there are answers that schools are going to lean towards, simply because the nature of mass education makes it difficult (and expensive) to customize the response for each child. This is where it's crucial that a parent trust their own judgment and knowledge of the child, but balance this with an awareness that it's good to engage other opinions (the doctor I mention above). - Tim
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Unfortunately, there are no simple answers, though there are answers that schools are going to lean towards, simply because the nature of mass education makes it difficult (and expensive) to customize the response for each child. This is where it's crucial that a parent trust their own judgment and knowledge of the child, but balance this with an awareness that it's good to engage other opinions (the doctor I mention above). - Tim
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November 13, 2009 03:21 AM
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The school can only suggest it. I think it is too easy sometimes to count on meds to fix problems. If I was thinking about doing it at all, I would have my child fully tested to see what may be causing the hyperactivity and do my own research on alternative methods of dealing with it, talk to other parents who have hyperactive kids,talk to professionals who deal with it realistically without always instantly looking to pills for an answer. There may be diet changes that will help or behavioural training,smaller classroom settings, home schooling, any number of alternative treatments or ways to deal with it.
I would not instantly put a young child on strong meds just because the school wanted me to. The meds have long term effects. The child will not always be in that school but they will have to deal with any side effects from taking the meds on an ongoing basis.
Obviously I am not a big fan of instant medication but there are cases where that is the logical solution. But pills are not always the answer.
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I would not instantly put a young child on strong meds just because the school wanted me to. The meds have long term effects. The child will not always be in that school but they will have to deal with any side effects from taking the meds on an ongoing basis.
Obviously I am not a big fan of instant medication but there are cases where that is the logical solution. But pills are not always the answer.
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November 13, 2009 05:03 PM
WTG! Everyone always has a pill for everything. I am sick of society's answers to everything coming in the form of a pill Aren't we all supposed to be individuals? Taking pills just makes each child more conformed to sluggish worker bees that they want. I am not saying that there aren't true psychological problems in children. I am just saying that everyone rushes in to give a pill when most of the time they don't truly need one, just more time with a parent, more sleep, and probably a healthier diet with less fast food.
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November 13, 2009 08:00 AM
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No.
For the most part I think issues such as these are over medicated.
Oh the kids got energy.. lets give him drugs. Oh the kid needs discipline.. lets give him drugs. There is a pill for everything.
I think by doing so we are only making the issue worse. I feel it's also a cop out by parents. If there is an issue with your child's behavior there are ways to correct it beyond medication. I also like to think I know my children far better than the school. I would not medicate solely on their suggestion, and if there was an issue I'm gonna guess I'd notice before they did to begin with.
This is not to say that I don't believe ADD and Hyperactivity at least don't exist, simply that it is not always necessary to medicate. All other options should be exhausted first and the diagnosis should be made by a professional.
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For the most part I think issues such as these are over medicated.
Oh the kids got energy.. lets give him drugs. Oh the kid needs discipline.. lets give him drugs. There is a pill for everything.
I think by doing so we are only making the issue worse. I feel it's also a cop out by parents. If there is an issue with your child's behavior there are ways to correct it beyond medication. I also like to think I know my children far better than the school. I would not medicate solely on their suggestion, and if there was an issue I'm gonna guess I'd notice before they did to begin with.
This is not to say that I don't believe ADD and Hyperactivity at least don't exist, simply that it is not always necessary to medicate. All other options should be exhausted first and the diagnosis should be made by a professional.
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November 13, 2009 05:06 PM
Again WTG! Pills should always be a last resort. Claiming that many parents make it a cop out is fine, but remember, many teachers and school administrators PUSH this on parents by suggesting that little Johnny be medicated. I find that is inexcuseable. Schools administration goes through training to teach them how to manage unmanageable children. They too need to do their jobs, and NOT try to fob this off onto the unknowledgeable parents. This is becoming more of the norm and that is why I had to say something. :D
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November 13, 2009 07:33 PM
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Short answer: NO
Long answer: In certain states, it is ILLEGAL for teachers to even suggest such a thing. Having said that, I would never give a child drugs based on a teacher's suggestion alone.
I think most parents know if a child needs some sort of medication, way before any teacher would know. Teachers seem to want an easy classroom with cookie cutter children, all learning at the same level, so they can pass the state mandated tests.
There are some children that simply cannot function (not only at school, but at home as well) without medication, but it's not for a teacher to suggest. As a matter of fact, they should only try to describe the problems that they are having with the child or if the child's learning progress is lacking because of behavior issues. If suggesting medication isn't illegal in all states, it should be. I do urge parents to not ignore the signs, and do use teachers to discuss behavior. They are observing your kids for a large portion of the day.
Bottom line is this: Teachers are not doctors. Talk to your pediatrician. If he/she feels it's necessary, they may refer you to a child psychologist. There are many things you should consider before putting your child on any medication.
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Long answer: In certain states, it is ILLEGAL for teachers to even suggest such a thing. Having said that, I would never give a child drugs based on a teacher's suggestion alone.
I think most parents know if a child needs some sort of medication, way before any teacher would know. Teachers seem to want an easy classroom with cookie cutter children, all learning at the same level, so they can pass the state mandated tests.
There are some children that simply cannot function (not only at school, but at home as well) without medication, but it's not for a teacher to suggest. As a matter of fact, they should only try to describe the problems that they are having with the child or if the child's learning progress is lacking because of behavior issues. If suggesting medication isn't illegal in all states, it should be. I do urge parents to not ignore the signs, and do use teachers to discuss behavior. They are observing your kids for a large portion of the day.
Bottom line is this: Teachers are not doctors. Talk to your pediatrician. If he/she feels it's necessary, they may refer you to a child psychologist. There are many things you should consider before putting your child on any medication.
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