Originally published May 10 2009
Government Thinks Drugs are the Answer
by Tiffany Boutwell
(NaturalNews) A study was recently released indicating that children who receive stimulants and psychotropic drugs for ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) have higher scores on math and reading tests. This research is very disturbing and raises many alarming questions from parents and non-parents as well.
First of all, the study indicates that it was government-funded and had no links to any of the companies that make ADHD medication. Even if there truly was no compensation or incentive from the government, what does that say about them? That they want all the nation`s children to sit there quietly like mindless drones? That children are to score as high as they can so the country can try and not look like the under-educated citizens that many are to the rest of the world - while school systems are failing? Is that really more important than protecting kids from mind-altering drugs, some of which can be habit-forming?
Then there is the issue of exactly why they did the study. What does the government have to gain by telling parents to put their kids on drugs? Remember the huge "Just Say No" campaign by the government to keep kids off drugs? Now, yes, that was for illegal street drugs, but is this really any better just because they say these drugs are legal and "safe" by FDA standards? They are still drugs no matter how you look at it. To partially quote one of the researchers, Richard Scheffler of the University of California, Berkeley, "We`re not promoting drugs as the answer. But [we are]." The actual rest of the quote is "But we did find medication does improve standardized math and reading scores in the long term." If they are not promoting drugs as the answer, then why exactly was this study done?
Each child needs to be addressed as a unique individual when it comes to learning. There are a variety of ways that children who have problems focusing in the classroom can be aided to learn better. Chewing gum has been proven effective in helping children concentrate as has playing with a small toy, standing up, or doodling. The continuous physical motion is a natural stimulant to the brain and releases anxiety, reduces stress, and enhances concentration. There is no need for stimulants made of synthetic garbage manufactured in a lab. If instructors could just learn to respect the way that children learn, as Dr. Maria Montessori tried to teach, our children would do much better in school. Dr. Montessori believed that each child is born with a unique potential to be revealed, rather than as a "blank slate" waiting to be written upon. Educators should work individually with each child and not the class as a whole.
Just as it is not presumed that every child will eat the exact same thing for lunch today and a variety is offered in the cafeteria, it should not be assumed that all children will learn and develop the same. And therefore, if they don`t, it should not be assumed that they must have ADD or ADHD. We need to be very skeptical about studies like these and even more so about putting children on prescription drugs.
Sources: /news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090427/hl_nm/us_adhd_drugs_learning
herald-dispatch.com/life/healthsource/x385863243/Doodling-does-wonders-for-memory
montessori.edu/maria.html
About the author
Tiffany Boutwell is a devoted wife and mother to 2 beautiful children. She is raising her children in a natural lifestyle on a four acre farm in Sparta,KY. Like many others, Tiffany is strong in her convictions to supporting a healthy and happy home, community, and eventually the rest of the world! You can view her blog about life on a farm at naturalapplemom.wordpress.com
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