I agree with Patti Johnson that too many children are being diagnosed and labeled and too many children are on these drugs. She mentioned that when she was a child, children didn’t rely on medications; therefore, why has the number of children taking behavior-modifying drugs increased? Teachers were diagnosing their student’s behaviors such as acting up and disrupting class. Although they attended workshops and read pamphlets on ADHD, they had no right advising parents of their child’s condition and suggesting that the child should be on medication. Yes, these children have a brain disorder, but they shouldn’t be on psychiatric medication at a very young age. They’re kids. Kids show problematic behaviors because they are children. If you give
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In a study conducted by Partridge, Lucke, & Hall (2014), “78.3% of participants agreed that too many children are diagnosed with ADHD when they don’t really have it.” People choose medications as a first line response when dealing with these disruptive behaviors and treat common mental health problems (Partridge, Lucke, & Hall, 2014). In Australia, the most prescribed medication is typically used in the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (Partridge, Lucke, & Hall, 2014). Teachers want their student's nervous system to function in the normal range, but it should not be up to the teachers to enforce medicating students. I agree with the Colorado State Board of Education that decisions dealing with medication and children should be up to the parents and doctors, and not the teachers. Teachers should focus on what they are trained to do and leave the diagnosing outside the classroom and up to the parents. Teachers need to give their students other tools that are in their jurisdiction that can make their students successful in the classroom. A focus tool doesn’t have to include drugs. Furthermore, I do believe the diagnosing and labeling is a job for the mental health professional. Although, I also believe that medications should not be forced upon young children, especially since I believe that the behavior is normal. In contrast, unless the child is demonstrating disturbed, manic behavior, then I believe
In a study conducted by Partridge, Lucke, & Hall (2014), “78.3% of participants agreed that too many children are diagnosed with ADHD when they don’t really have it.” People choose medications as a first line response when dealing with these disruptive behaviors and treat common mental health problems (Partridge, Lucke, & Hall, 2014). In Australia, the most prescribed medication is typically used in the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (Partridge, Lucke, & Hall, 2014). Teachers want their student's nervous system to function in the normal range, but it should not be up to the teachers to enforce medicating students. I agree with the Colorado State Board of Education that decisions dealing with medication and children should be up to the parents and doctors, and not the teachers. Teachers should focus on what they are trained to do and leave the diagnosing outside the classroom and up to the parents. Teachers need to give their students other tools that are in their jurisdiction that can make their students successful in the classroom. A focus tool doesn’t have to include drugs. Furthermore, I do believe the diagnosing and labeling is a job for the mental health professional. Although, I also believe that medications should not be forced upon young children, especially since I believe that the behavior is normal. In contrast, unless the child is demonstrating disturbed, manic behavior, then I believe