Replies

When my middle daughter was acting up in 1st Grade, they called us in. They wanted to Ritalinize her. I took her out and started homeschooling her instead, alongside my older daughter

Later it turns out that my daughter is hypoglycemic (hypoglycemia and diabetes run in my wifes side of the family). If her blood sugar drops too low, she goes nuts, gets upset, cries at the least thing, becomes extremely angry, etc. The cure was to manage her blood sugar better: no sugar or processed-flour products for breakfast (ie, cut out the instant oatmeal and cereal). Instead, we give her protein (stick a chicken patty with some cheese on it in the toaster oven).

Protein and fat digest slowly, keeping blood sugar more even over the following hours. Sugar and stuff made from processed flour digest quickly, sending blood-sugar soaring, followed by a crash

I would guess a great many of the children diagnosed with a need for drugs simply need a change of diet.

A few months ago I read an editorial by a child physchiatrist of many years with great credentials,railing against the medication of children without proper testing and by nincompoops who did not know what they were doing. He gave some scary case records, and is fighting this (a lonesome battle)through medical and govt. circles. Sorry I can't be more specific, name, etc, but I sent the article to my son whose ex-wife medicated their oldest son.

She is an RN with absolutely no relationship skills and could not control the child so asked a friend, a GP, to prescribe Ritalin.He did so with absolutely no testing-just her say-so and the school's.This child is extremely bright and artistic, but went to school daily on cereal, danishes, orange juice or Koolaid. No wonder he was jumpy,fidgety,and hyper. My son eventually got the boy away from her and he is okay, now.However, it took him and his present wife (a Sp. Ed.teacher with wonderful common sense)about 2 years to bring him around.

This is a horrible, pervasive usurpation of children's and parent's rights.

vaudine