Children and Behavior Issues
Drugs are affecting the world we live in. Almost every ailment can be fixed with a pill. That’s because it’s easier to swallow a pill then to do the hard work of changing a bad behavior. Today’s children with behavior disorders are overmedicated because families look for a quick fix to behavior issues, doctors readily prescribe drugs as treatments for behavior problems, and most learning disorders are a hoax.
All of us probably know someone in our family or school that fits this description and has been labeled as “attention deficit”. What exactly is attention deficit? The symptoms of attention deficit range from poor concentration to extreme hyperactivity. Such children typically don't finish their homework, can't complete class assignments or exams in the time allowed, are disruptive, and are usually disorganized and forgetful. These symptoms generally fit us all, but should these behavior patterns be considered impairments of functioning? Statistics show in most cases that they are. Studies have suggested that learning and behavior disorders may affect one in 20 children. “Boys are three times more likely to be diagnosed with a deficit disorder than girls.” (Ballas)
Diagnoses for these disorders, especially Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) have escalated dramatically over the past few years. There are few people in the U. S. who have not heard of Ritalin. It is considered a family-saving wonder drug by many parents. Ritalin gives children who have trouble in school or difficulty socializing, the ability to slow down, focus, and behave. Ritalin has become the first choice rather than a last resort for some families. Everyday, five million children in America are given a daily dose of Ritalin.
Ritalin is the brand name for a drug called Methylphenidate. It is also closely related to the illegal drug Methamphetamine, street name “crystal meth.” However, Ritalin is the drug of choice by most...