When I was about 9 years old, my parents had me tested to find out what was wrong with me. I would zone out in class, or fall asleep, forget HW assignments, etc. My folks and doctor thought it was an attention disorder, so they put me on what was available in the mid 1970s, which was Ritalin. That made me bounce off the walls! Then they put me on an amphetamine-based drug. It worked for about a few months, and then ceased to have any effect at all. So, they sent me to a different kind of doctor, and lo and behold, it wasn't any kind of attention disorder, but a blood sugar one! I was placed on a combination diagnosis of lots of fruits and veggies, water, and lots of daily exercise. Wow! No more problems!

My husband, however, has been on ADHD treatment for about 10 years after spending his childhood in trouble of one kind or another because he wasn't tested until he was an adult of 20-something years old. Can you imagine the kind of issues he had? Whew, it wasn't pretty, he told me. But now, with the treatment he's on, he can function at a 90% daily! he combines it with proper diet and exercise, so it's boosted even more.

So, the way I see it, it's a fine line to walk, to determine when to medicate. Parents MUST be involved, and get to really know their kids, instead of letting their fears or expectations get in the way. The best way to mess up your kid is to rush to get them on drugs, rather than find the best treatment. Sometimes, medication is the best way, but only after trying everything else.

My motto is, don't medicate until you mediate.

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