by Andi S Green.

Created on: May 24, 2007

ADD and ADHD are rapidly increasing among children, along with associated spectrum disorders such as Tourettes, Autism and Aspergers syndrome. Why this is no-one knows. But living with children who are restless, uncontrollable, agitated and disruptive is a big problem. Some people argue that these children have ADHD as a result of faulty child-rearing or teaching. Some people say that ADD and ADHD are genetically based. Others say that additives or immunizations have contributed to the rise in these poor troubled children and those that come into contact with them. Some would argue that our computer, tv and games system life style have affected how these children interact thus making them more easily under stimulated and bored. However this problem does exist so it needs to be tacled.

Pros of medication are:

1) Medication such as Ritalin can help children settle and achieve at school and home without being disruptive. They can achieve an educational and social norm previously unobtainable. These children tend to be very creative and intelligent and once they are able to sit down and relax mentally they can often achieve great things.

2) Families and parents and teachers and siblings are less stressed because these children are more settled.

Cons are:

1) Children don't always respond well to Ritalin. There are dangers of addiction or rebound affects.
2) Ritalin can be found and taken by other children and there are dangers of drug use and abuse by other people.
3) Rather than being able to talk about problems and some might even involve abuse which is unsettling a child, Ritalin can be used as a chemical cosh and underlying problms ignored.
4) Children can start thinking they are abnormal - the effect of being labeled and treated may damage a child for life.

Learn more about this author, Andi S Green..
Click here to send this author comments or questions.