-- Dr. Michael Anderson, quoted in today's NYT
If that quote doesn't send chills up your spine, I don't know what will.
Dr. Anderson (and other docs, also quoted in the NYT) are prescribing ADHD medications -- stimulants -- to help young, low-income kids function in school.
Photo by Arenamontanous via Flickr |
“We might not know the long-term effects [of stimulant use in young children], but we do know the short-term costs of school failure, which are real. I am looking to the individual person and where they are right now," Dr. Anderson says in the NYT article, Attention Disorder or Not, Pills to Help in School.
I am outraged. Outraged! OUTRAGED!
We value our children so little in this society that we would rather stuff drugs into their young bodies and brains than invest in programs and policies that could improve their world.
And boys may be disproportionately feeling the effects of this resistance to investing in kids' well-being. According to The Boys Initiative, 3 times as many boys as girls are diagnosed with ADHD. Who knows how many of them actually have ADHD, and how many are simply prescribed the drugs as a way of helping them fit into an educational mold that doesn't fully consider their needs? In the Times article, Dr. Anderson says "the children he sees with academic problems are essentially 'mismatched with their environment.'"
I've written before about the mis-match between boys and school. (Most recently, in Boys & School.)
And I've written before about the need to support families if we want children to succeed in school. (Most recently, in Supporting Families & Education.)
But I'm frustrated. I can write about these topics until my fingers are numb, but unless and until our society begins to recognize the importance of families, and value children, it will all be for naught. Our children, and our boys in particular, will continue to suffer.
We can talk all day about the importance of individual responsbility, and the role of government, and still get nowhere. Because at the end of the day, American is still a country that is long on talk and short on support. We say our children are the future, but vote down school referendums, demonize teachers and stash our children in big-box institutions that may or may not meet our kids' needs so we can work and earn the almighty dollar. We say that parenthood is an honorable profession, but refuse to support policies that would allow parents to spend meaningful time with their children.
We refuse to admit that raising great kids takes time. And we refuse to admit that it's important to invest in all kids.
Kids in poor neighborhoods are not throw-aways. They are kids, just like yours. It doesn't matter what their parents did or didn't do. It doesn't matter what their grandparents did or didn't do. What matters is that they have needs and desires and potential, and we, as a society, as turning away from them.
We are stuffing meds down their gullet instead of working to improve their lives.
That has to stop.
I can't stop this neglect alone. But I can, and will, write about it. I can, and will, work within my community to make sure that families have the resources they need to thrive. And I can -- and will -- vote for policies and politicians that support kids and families.
Our kids deserve support, not pharmaceutical shortcuts.
yes.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if I agree, Jennifer. Certainly we shouldn't unnecessarily drug any child. However, my child is on meds for ADHD. It wasn't our first choice but after speaking with him, his teachers and doctors, combining ADHD medication and social/psychological programs is the best method for us. Sure, we should look at altering the school system in a number of ways - including for kids who have attention issues but, for now, I believe our method of meds + therapy + social skills works well for our child.
ReplyDeleteFor the record, I agree with you, Lisa. There are absolutely children (and adults) who benefit from ADHD medications. I have a problem with meds as a first and only step, esp. when given to kids who may not even have ADHD (as discussed in the article).
DeleteJennifer, I love your blog and want to follow you! I can't for the life of me see where to click to do this?! Help a new blogger out and let me know how? LOL
ReplyDelete