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Treating ADD in Children
ADD -- Treating with Ritalin
Ritalin was once the drug of choice in the treatment of ADD (Attention Deficit
Disorder) and ADHD (Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder).
That is no longer the case. Ritalin has become the drug to avoid in recent
years.
Giving your child Ritalin is the equivalent of giving your child cocaine,
Novocain, opium, or morphine. It is an antidepressant stimulant, and is the
trade name for Methylphenidate Hydrochloride. On the street, it's known as
R-Ball and Vitamin R.
It is ironic. We teach our kids to just say not to drugs, and our trusted
doctors turn around and prescribe dangerous, addictive drugs to them.
Thankfully, Ritalin is no longer the drug of choice for the treatment of ADD or
ADHD. Today, there is a safer alternative -- Adderall -- which is not an
antidepressant at all.
Parents were once encouraged, and in many cases forced, to give Ritalin to their
ADD/ADHD children. It was even often forced on children who did not have
ADD/ADHD, but instead had other types of behavioral problems. Finally, there was
a congressional investigation into the use of Ritalin.
Ritalin has numerous side affects. Side effects include insomnia, nervousness,
skin rashes, hypersensitivity, anorexia, nausea, dizziness, heart palpitations,
headaches, Dyskinesia, drowsiness, high blood pressure, sporadic changes in the
pulse rate, Tachycardia, weight loss, angina, cardiac arrhythmia, and abdominal
pain. There have also been many cases of liver disfunction reported, and even
hepatic comas. The list of dangerous side effects goes on and on!
Furthermore, Ritalin has been reported to cause deep depression, which often
results in suicide or suicide attempts among many people who have ADD/ADHD. In
the United States, in 2005, the FDA reported that Ritalin had been linked to
visual hallucinations, suicidal ideation, psychotic behavior, and other
aggressive or violent behavior. Yet, it is still on the market, and sometimes
still prescribed for the treatment of ADD/ADHD.
Do yourself and your child a favor. Do not allow any health care professional to
prescribe this dangerous drug. Ask for a safer drug, such as Adderall, instead.
Don't be persuaded otherwise!
See Also:
FACT SHEET ON ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER (ADHD/ADD)
| Different Types of Learning Disabilities
Diagnosing Learning Disabilities
Learning disabilities are not always easy to diagnose. It is important to know
and to look for signs that there is a learning disability present.
Often, a learning disability can go unnoticed all the way through to adulthood.
Unfortunately, when this happens, the individual in question misses out on a lot
of things.
There are specific things to look for at various ages to identify learning
disabilities, starting in preschool. In a preschool child, you should note
whether or not the child learns to speak properly later than other children, if
they have trouble pronouncing words, or if they often seem unable to find the
right word to use.
A learning disabled preschool child may also have problems if they don't rhyme
words easily; if they have trouble learning the alphabet, numbers, days of the
week, colors, or shapes; if they have trouble making friends; if they have
trouble following directions; or if their motor skills don't develop normally.
During the grade school years, you should be looking for confusion when it comes
to very basic words. If a child makes consistent spelling or reading errors,
this could also be a sign of a learning disability. Transposition of numbers or
mathematical signs could also be an indication of a learning disability. Also be
on the lookout for trouble remembering facts, trouble learning new skills,
impulsiveness, trouble learning to tell time, and poor coordination.
During the middle school and high school years, you may recognize a learning
disability if the child often reverses letter sequences, is slow to learn common
spelling strategies, does not read out loud well -- or avoids this activity
altogether. Learning disabled middle school and high school students may also
have difficulty with handwriting, word problems, writing assignments, memory,
and difficulty making friends.
If you notice any of these things about your child, you should have a
comprehensive educational evaluation done. This evaluation should include
assessment testing. These tests will measure the child's areas of weaknesses and
strengths. The evaluation should also include interviews, observation, a medical
evaluation, and conferences with medical professionals and teachers. |
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More articles:
Dealing With Side Effects
+ Dyslexia Basics from IDA
ADD Drug Free Treatment Depression Anxiety Chronic Pain Los Angeles
ADD/ADHD in Children: Recognizing the signs, symptoms and effects
Learning Disability - Find Learning Disability Information and ...
Dealing With ADD in the Classroom
Learning Disability Statistics
Learning disabilities occur more often than most people realize. Would it
surprise you to learn that one out of every seven people in the United States
suffer from some type of learning disability? That's a large number of people!
Would it also surprise you to learn that 35% of the people who have learning
disabilities never finish high school? That number is too large. The number is,
in fact, probably larger than that, because it cannot include those people who
drop out who have not had their learning disability diagnosed.
Do you know an adult who cannot read? The chances are good that you do. In most
cases, it isn't lack of education that caused them to be unable to read, it is a
reading disability -- 60% of the time, in fact. Concerning juveniles -- 50% of
the juveniles that get into trouble with the law have learning disabilities that
were not diagnosed. Of those being treated for substance abuse, 60% have
learning disabilities. Of females who have learning disabilities, 50% will
become pregnant during their teen years. And 31% of the juveniles that have
learning disabilities will be arrested within five years of leaving high school.
These are scary statistics, and it doesn't end there -- 62% of students who have
learning disabilities are unemployed one year after graduating from high school.
Approximately 5% of all children enrolled in public schools in the United States
are learning disabled. Between 30% and 50% of the entire population has a
learning disability that has not been diagnosed. Only 13% of the children who
have been diagnosed with a learning disability attend college.
The numbers of people who suffer from learning disabilities have increased by
22% over the past 25 years, and 44% of parents who suspect that their child may
be learning disabled wait one or more years to seek a diagnosis and help. This
may be the scariest statistic of all.
If you suspect you or your child has a learning disability, acknowledge the
problem, get a diagnosis, and start taking steps to overcome or compensate for
that disability today.
 News
And Notes
Attention Deficit Disorder Association - Adult ADD Resources, Help, Information, and Support
Focuses on the needs of adults and young adults with ADD and AD/HD. Site includes FAQ, how to find help, articles, newsletter, and more.
Read full post here.
NIMH · ADHD · Complete Publication
National Institute of Mental Health publication which describes symptoms, co-existing conditions, and possible causes of ADHD, as well as treatment and education options.
Read full post here.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ADD-ADHD
Articles and information about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
Read full post here.
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
ADHD resource offering information about diagnosis, symptoms, testing, treatment, issues, and more.
Read full post here.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Original articles on attention deficit disorder from a practical approach.
Read full post here.
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Related Topics: Can You Overcome a Learning Disability,
Video Game Testing for Autism and Dyslexia, What Is ADD
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