| |
Will you choose medication again this September to help your ADD/ADHD child?
by Ivan Poturica BA
Parents that have used medications for a number of years to help their children often ask the question, "What are the long term benefits of medication?" Parents and professionals all over the world are asking for proof of the promised long term benefits.
In the United States, Professor William Pelham of University of Buffalo looked at the beneficial impacts of medication found that longer periods of medication use did not produce any better outcomes. The study completed in 1999 also found there was substantial decrease in growth rate and concluded that 'there were no beneficial effects - none.' Richard Scarnati (1986) listed a large number (over 60) of adverse effects of Ritalin based on published journal articles.
There a number of reviews of literature (using drug companies own studies) that conclude as Barkley and Cunningham (1978) did there is little support for the idea that stimulant medication had consistent and positive results on academic achievement scores. It is becoming clear that over the last 30 plus years that Ritalin has been prescribed for use for ADD/ADHD on the assertion that it improves school performance lacks proof in scientific literature.
The very existence of an 'illness' for which Ritalin would be prescribed in unproven. It is merely assumed. This leads neurologist Fred Baughman to say, "The greatest tragedy is that, after being diagnosed, children believe they have something wrong with them that only a drug can fix. More poignantly, the child sees that his parents and schoolteachers believe this also." There is no established cause for ADD/ADHD and as seen above medication provides no cure.
There is an alternative to helping children and adults having difficulty with attention, concentration and hyperkinetic behaviours. Neurofeedback is an education approach that solves the problem for the long term. The person stops having difficulties and functions at their age and ability level. Research from around the world shows this approach is over 91% effective in removing all attention symptoms with long lasting benefits.
Do not send your child back to school with attention problems. Plan to train during fall and winter to help your child achieve academic success. With the help of Federal Government tax benefits for learning disabilities the training costs may be reduced to zero.
For further information contact the ADD Centre at 204-897-4493. Visit our head office Web site* or our Winnipeg Web site*, or read The A.D.D. Book by Dr. William Sears and Dr. Lynda Thompson.
(*Will open in a new window.)
Related Articles:
Will you choose medication again this September to help your ADD/ADHD child?
Basic Concepts...More Than Just Colours and Numbers
Back-to-School Tips
Music for Young Children: Music Lessons for Children
Safety Tips For Parents Whose Children Use Social Networking Websites
To the top
|
| |
|
