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You sound like an NEA Troll.

In the area where I live a commitee of three school teachers in each school evaluates the student, and if they reccomend that the child be put on Ritalin the parents have an extremely difficult time opposing the action. In this one school district almost 25% of the children are classified as having ADD or ADHD.

Several years ago I questioned the qualifications and right of Teachers to make the evaluation of ADD, or ADHD and I quote the answer given to me by one Teacher "Doctors can not make the determination because they are not in the close contact with the child that the teacher has, only a teacher would be familiar enough with the child to recognize the problem"

One close acquaintance of mine spent almost a year getting his daughter removed from the Special Ed classification even when his physician determined that there was nothing wrong with her.

As to the claim that 45% of her friendly psychiatrist's Ritalin patients being home schooled children, it flies in the face of reality. One of the reasons that many HS mothers take their children out of the Public School System is to keep them out of reach of the "Expert Diagnostic Teachers" who are responsible for putting children into these drug programs. I doubt that many HS mothers would even take their children to a SHRINK to begin with.

I doubt that many HS mothers would even take their children to a SHRINK to begin with.

Being a hs, sahm allows me to *really* know my children. (I don't see how a shrink would know the true personality of any child.) My 4th daughter would have been diagnosed as ADD or some such phony diagnosis had I sent her to school and I told my husband that there was no way my daughter was going to be drugged for the convenience of the teacher. Granted she learned things differently but that just meant that *I* have to work with her different learning style. My 6th child (a cute but hyperactive 18 month old) will pose an altogether different challenge since he's a boy. But I think that I'll be able to handle it when the time comes. :)

I have a friend who has a daughter exactly as my 4th daughter and she too refuses to have her daughter drugged. She is a hsing mom.

I am not a member of the NEA, never have been, never will be. All I was doing was pointing out inconsistencies in this posted story.

As far as the teacher claiming that only SHE can diagnose ADHD and not a doctor--I am not doubting that she told you that, however, I am appalled at the arrogance behind that statement.

As far as teachers making a diagnosis and recommendation for medication, the school district that you mention is operating out of the IDEA guidelines and is vulnerable for any number of lawsuits.

Look up IDEA and read what the government says schools may and may not do. I will guarantee you that prescribing medication is NOT listed.