Featured Message

A CULTURE OF DEPENDENCY

January 22, 2007

After attending the DCF symposium on transitioning young adults to DMHAS or DMR, I was saddened to hear the speakers, including the child advocate admit to the failure of this system.

Perhaps as children these young adults came from families experiencing an unfortunate time in their life. The referral to the DCF department is to determine if CPS needs to intervene or to refer the family to community services. This may be programs, help with housing or school, etc. Socioeconomics sometimes plays a roll here. Certainly should these resources exist, they should be offered and explored and not ordered. Should beneficial resources be lacking in the community, the family is then lead down this path...

The process goes like this... A referral followed up on by a home and school visit and families will be told what to do. They will be handed a list of expectations that need to be met and many things to do. The threat of the removal of children is always there. A psychological evaluation is done on all family members and a diagnose is made and therapy and medications will usually follow. All mental health treatment is covered by the state medical card and the court sometimes will order and pay for this evaluation. I believe the reimbursement to the mental health care providers is good. However this is not so with the basic healthcare providers, dentists or any doctors specializing in physical ailments. 

When a child is labeled with a mental illness and put on mind altering drugs, this begins the stigma and automatically sets them outside of society. Many times their “conditions” worsen and they exhibit negative behaviors and thoughts. The school’s sometimes reject these children leaving them lacking education and social skills. Their self esteem is poor. These dangerous medications can lead to substance abuse and the possibility of jail. Often these kids end up in legal trouble and become entangled in the court system. If these children do not end up expelled from school and sent to jail, they may find themselves in a psychiatric hospital. This is a horrifying experience for anyone. They may go to a RTC. These “treatment centers” are could be unsafe and understaffed. Foster homes have been known to at times also abuse and neglect these children.

 If the parents lose their parental rights, they will not be part of their children’s treatment plan. This leaves many parents feeling helpless and insufficient and is detrimental. It weakens any trust or bond between parent and child. Workers do not check up on these kids enough and children resent parents if all did not go so well in their placement.

 With this kind of treatment, of course help is needed in “Transitioning”. Of course the transition will have to be from one department to another, one hospital to another, one jail or prison to another, or one RTC to another. Either way we have created a culture of dependency at a large expense to our state. The admittance of this will never justify what has been done to these young people and their families.

 Patricia Sabato of Ablechild.org

 *Her son was held by DCFS (Department of Children and Family Services) and forced drugged against her wishes. 

 A Powerful Letter Written to Dr. Fred Baughman, Ablechild Board Member and Pediatric Neurologist. 

Greetings Doctor, 

My name is Cliff (last name withheld for privacy). I was diagnosed with ADHD as early as second grade and as such my entire educational life except college was filled with nothing but painful memories mainly from my authority figures, like teachers and school administration. I would like to briefly share with you my testimony in those years that supports your outlook on ADD/ADHD.

 It is interesting that in all my life I thought I was alone in this world with my beliefs on ADD/ADHD. I found it interesting that ever since I was such a young boy everyone talked about ADHD and knew OF ADHD but none of the doctors, psychiatrists, and counselors who diagnosed me could tell me exactly what is WAS. Or, the definition would be inconsistent from one person to another. For a long time I felt this was because it was a newly discovered disease and was not completely understood yet. However ten years later to the now, the disease is still entirely vague.

To begin, I was diagnosed with ADD and hyperactivity in 2nd grade.

That was a long time ago so some of my memories do not serve me well. However I remember very well how that teacher felt about me. There was definitely a personality conflict between us. I believe she just wanted to shut me up in class, and her way of doing so was to recommend a checkup and look into medications to calm me to my parents.

Was I hyper? Did I cause disruptions? I sure as hell did! I was 6 or 7 back then though. I was a young boy who wanted nothing except to play and have fun. I ask you this, what 6 year old kid wants to sit in a classroom perfectly still for 8 hours? Would you be more concerned with a 6 year old boy who stared at the wall for 8 hours and appeared to be attentive or would you be concerned about a normal 6 year old who wants nothing more then to play.

 When middle school came around problems escalated for me. I had problems getting good grades in class and my parents felt that it could be to this disorder, this so called ADD. I went to countless psychiatrists and counselors to get tested. All I could remember was that riding my bike, playing video games, and card games with my friends was more important then school. Maybe I just needed a little more discipline back then. All the counselors said the same thing, I was ADD and some said ADHD. Some recommended drugs others did not. 

Now most of these stories are pretty standard; young kid gets diagnosed with ADD, family goes through hell and has to fight dealing with it.  

The thing I remember the most was the number of adults telling me how I was different I was. I feel this is worth noting as I foresee this damaging young children's self esteem.   

"You don't process information like the rest of the kids out there. You think differently." Some of them said I could think faster but too many thoughts invaded my brain. There are tons of other bullshit stories I heard from these people, it all said one thing. All of these statements resulted in one painful repetitive memory. Everything anyone ever said to me in regarding ADHD or ADD was basically this, I am dumber then the rest of the world and I need special care.  

Do you think a 6-9 year old boy doesn't know when someone is calling him stupid? Well I was not stupid then and that is what those adults made me feel like. I feel that any adult who singles out a young kid and in a single blow attempts to crush their fragile self esteem should feel repercussion.

Finally high school came up and my father and I had a long discussion as to what to do. He said I had the option to try drugs or we could try different approaches. Fortunately I was a strong individual and I had convinced myself early on that I was not dumb, Special, or any slower then any one else in this world. If anything I felt I was smarter and more intelligent then my peers.

I had many conflicts and struggles with professors and administrators of high school who felt I should be put on drugs. A fellow class mate of mine Cody Louis took Ritalin where I did not. I observed over the years his reactions to the drug and the world he lived in. By the time he was a senior he was grinding the drug into a fine powder and selling it to classmates, and he himself would indulge in the cheap high of crushed methylphenidate. He was out of control but I do not believe it was because of this ADD or ADHD. I believe he was that way because of multiple factors in his life. He was an only child and ridiculously spoiled. He could get away with almost anything in school by simply blaming it on his disorder. He took special classes all the way through high school that basically just passed him through. Overall though I think he was misunderstood and he was insecure and felt he had something to prove with everyone. He was a little spoiled punk kid that needed a swat on the rear from his father, nothing more.

The school pressured me to follow the same actions as Cody. They knew how I felt about drugs so they would keep trying to put me in these special education classes. I sat in a special ed class once and I was astonished by how dumbed down they were. I mean this class truly insulted my intelligence. I was literally waiting for the teacher to pull out the coloring book and play color in the lines. It was no wonder that Cody acted the way he did having to put up with such nonsense.

Finally my senior year in high school came around and I made it all the way through with no drugs and no extra help except with my own understanding of myself and how I learn best. I also must note I had strong parental support and my result as a person is largely due to their guidance. 

Finally at the end of high school I came to a few major conclusions about ADD/ADHD.  

My first conclusion was that it simply did not exist. To support my theory I propose this idea. We were all born looking different, we are all different sizes shapes and colors. We all view things perceptively differently. What in the world makes our society feel that we all must think exactly the same?

My second theory is that drug companies push this ADD/ADD disease in an effort to boost sales. 

My last theory was that no one knew what ADD/ADHD was in the first place any how so it was all just a huge bogus joke.  

My end results are quiet nice. I am now 22 years old. In 2 months I will graduate with a 4 year degree in the coarse field of Cisco Network Management from Westwood College of Technology. I am the only one that I know of in my high school class that is graduating with a 4 year degree. I am also one of the very few who left my home town to go out and make something of myself. Many of my old, so called normal, classmates are still back at my home town living with mom and dad doing virtually nothing to better themselves. I am one of the better students in my class and have had several offers already for a job or internship in my career field. Everything in my life is going up.  

The terrifying thought is, where would I be today if I would have been gullible enough to fall for those drugs like so many other children and parents do. Where would I be today? The thought scares me.  

At present it rips me apart to see parents carelessly dose their children on drugs without even researching what they are getting into. It is all propaganda that has succeeded.

I ask you this simple question. Where are the Einstein's of today?

Where are the Edison's of tomorrow? They seem far and few now days.  

It is encouraging to me to see that other people have questioned whether or not ADD/ADHD even exists. 

Thank you for your time. I applaud and support your future campaigns.

Cliff  

I am not real sure how to start out a letter about the past 10 years of my life without others getting bored and not reading the most important parts of this.  I am sure there is a lot I will forget to say, but I am sure that those reading this will understand the most important part of this whole story.

My Husband and I married January 1988. Right away we started our family. We had our first daughter in October of 1988.  She was born two months early. I remember her nurse mentioning ADHD while they were telling me to expect her to be a little slower and smaller than other children.  Well, turns out today she is a 16 years old, 5 "6, 130lb, smart, beautiful, sweet woman who attends high school in her actual grade with honor classes.  She was always bright and right on schedule with her tasks as a toddler after she and everybody else forgot she was only 3lbs at birth.  We waited until she was 4 years old before Mother Nature blessed us with another miracle, this child a son. He was right on time, and as handsome as he could be.  He, like my daughter, developed just as he was supposed to.

OH DID I FORGET TO MENTION WHEN I WENT BACK FOR MY 6 WEEKS CHECKUP WITH HIM, WE HAD BABY # 3 ON THE WAY?  This third child, a very beautiful little boy had arrived right on schedule with good weight and health. 

 All of these children were raised pretty much by me, in the country with no neighbors and very little family around.  Their Daddy traveled a lot in his job. 

School life starts for my daughter with a bang!!  Before we were truly into the 1st six weeks of school our daughter’s teacher was sending behavior notes home almost daily.  The teacher asked me, "Has she (my daughter) been tested for A.D.H.D.?" Hum, seems I remember hearing this with her nurse at birth?????  Okay, I assume they know what is best for her?  My response to her teacher is that, “NO she has not, but what you recommend we will do.”  Off we go to the Doctor’s office and out of his office we leave, with a prescription for drugs in hand for my daughter. Oh, I remember this one sentence from this Doctor’s letter regarding my daughter, "ALMOST SURE TO BE A FAILURE @ ACADEMIC AND SOCIAL GOALS." Remember this is Kindergarten I am talking about!!

My middle son (child # 2), starts school at that point.  Okay, you can only imagine what happens next.  Off to the doctor we go with my son, based on school reports.   This leads to testing and DRUGS. Oh, in addition to this there were "Learning disability classes." After 6 weeks the home room teacher told me she thought my son did not need these classes so we pulled him from them. He became withdrawn on the drug prescribed him.  He had no social skills at all on the drug, was very self reserved, and very angry. I was never told anything about serious side effects.  The only side effects that were mentioned to me were possible loss of appetite and sleeplessness. At this point my daughter gets classified for “learning disability classes.”

Now here we are at Child # 3, my youngest son.  Yes!!  How did you GUESS!!!!  The same routine, scenario happens with him starting school (school=doctor=drugs).  Sadly, I was under the misconception that the school knew what was best for my children.  This youngest son had very serious side effects from the drugs prescribed him.  He went to stuttering after the meds started, and then he started chewing (pulling) the skin off his hands, and I mean chunks of skin.  He was very nervous to the point that one had to almost wonder if a child that young was so depressed he might hurt himself. He had absolutely no self-worth, and no social skills.   He could not sleep at night, which led to him to not being able to get out of bed in the morning.  What did the Dr. do for this?   Add more drugs of course, blood pressure meds that I was told would help him sleep at night.   I had no clue what this drug really was, because at the time it was prescribed the doctor did not bother to tell me.  All I was told was that it would help him sleep at night. Okay, I started to question:  Drugs, Drugs, Drugs,????? I am asking everyone what they think would be the chances of having three different kids in one family, in one school system, with the same label, and all on drugs for it.  WOW, how often could that happen?  What are the odds?

All I knew was that I had three children, all on drugs, all very unsocial, all very angry and all very destructive with their toys and anything they touched. Every month the doctor would say all is fine. I just knew that it wasn’t fine.  When I started asking questions about my youngest son the doctor always blew my questions and concerns off, and just change his meds around.  Because I was uncomfortable with this and this doctor’s attitude, I found a new doctor who listened to me. He wanted to run 2 brain scans on my youngest son, which when done came back "abnormal.”  Well, quite by accident I got an appointment with this particular doctor’s Associate. I was going over my questions and concerns with him, and he looked me in the eye and said "Mom, if you tried everything and nothing works I bet this is not the problem."  He suggests that I make another appointment and bring school files of my youngest with me.  I let the school know that I wanted everything from my son’s file so he could be reevaluated for ADHD.  When I went to the school to retrieve his files I found everything was missing from my child's file except for things pertaining to the present year. I had tried to pull him off of meds the year before because problems were so severe and the school called their psychiatrist in to see if she could help him.  The end result of this previous year problem was that the principle told me that stopping my son’s meds would not work because he was totally out of control off of meds.  Makes one wonder that if he is such a problem child these reports would still be there, right?  When the doctor looked over everything that I could gather for him from the schools files, he talked with both my son and I. He said, “I think your problem is the meds.”  He then ordered that my son undergo a sleeping test and an 8 HR brain scan.  With the doctor’s help, I weaned my son and my other two children off the drugs over a month period.  My youngest son went for his sleeping test and brain scan which both came back perfect.

Okay, at this point in time, I found Ablechild’s web site and I cried for over three hours printing off stuff from this site. I wanted any information that I could get because I knew I had a fight ahead of me and I wanted to be prepared.

Well, all of a sudden my doctor is no longer in my pediatrician’s office.   Come to find out he left over ADHD and “MEDICATION” issues.  I search for his whereabouts and luckily find him.  He offers to go to school with me if I need him to. NOW LET ME TELL ALL OF YOU THAT THIS IS A TRUE DOCTOR!!!!

I was off to school for a little meeting about my youngest son.  I had in hand a very thick folder of information printed out from Ablechild’s website.  I had not told the school about the results of the doctors testing.  I had not revealed to the school up to that point that my son was off drugs.  At the meeting I informed the school that my son was off drugs and had been off them.  The principle went nuts.   I mean nuts!!!  I told him I did my research and that I had NO idea that this drug had killed so many children.  I stated that I will NEVER give my children anymore drugs for this "so called" invented illness ever again.  I said I will home school all my children if I have to. He said "Well that may be what you just have to do.”  I told him that “He could call my doctor’s office and schedule a good time with him to come into school for a meeting regarding my son.”  Do you know after this comment the principal has never mentioned DRUGS to me again, and in turn, my son’s daily visits to the principal’s office have stopped!!!

My older son has had several teachers who tell me "Him with ADHD?”  “No, I don't see it!" FUNNY HOW ADHD IS NOT SEEN ANYMORE, DISAPPEARING AS IF IN THIN AIR.  FUNNY NOW, MY CHILDREN ARE VIEWED AS CAPABLE IN LEARNING.

I am not saying that we have an easy life and all is perfect now.  I am saying though, that ADHD “medications” have done a lot of damage in my life and my children’s, and has taken many good years away from us.  Without the drugs, I do see improvements almost daily. One doesn’t realize how much joy they could get from seeing two little boys sitting side by side on their bikes in a conversation and laughing.  That deep belly laugh from a little boy one forgot was there because that boy’s face was masked by drugs. Today things last longer around our home, and my children are proud of their things and seem to like them now.  Overall, there is more enjoyment in everyday life. They are still brothers and sister and will always have their "family bonding fights," but we do it naturally now ... it is no longer drug induced!!!

I want others to know that my baby, my youngest son, Joey, and ABLECHILD.ORG, is the one who opened my eyes to this.  Through Joey this happened when his big beautiful green eyes looked up at me with puddles and he said "MOMMY WHY CANT I BE NORMAL JUST LIKE YOU AND DADDY AND SISTER AND BROTHER?" Now if I didn’t hear that cry for help I wouldn’t have been much of a Mom.  I then found Ablechild.org and their important information, which helped me fight back against what I found out, was wrong.

From my ordeal, I have promised myself that if I can share my story with others and keep one child away from this destruction I will be grateful.  I just hope people hear my words.

THANK YOU JOEY and ABLECHILD.ORG,

Cyndi

Here is a letter written to Mrs. Vicky Dunkle, Ablechild Vice President, Pennsylvania and mother of Shaina Dunkle, a little girl who died at 10 from a ADHD drug prescribed her.

Vicky,

This is the first time I have posted here but I have been reading these posts and following your fight for close to a year now. My nine-year-old son was almost a victim of the public schools labeling and drugging agenda all because they failed to teach him to read properly. They had him in the resource room for reading and it did him no good. They constantly blamed it on his inattention, not their poor teaching methods. My husband and I made the decision to not have him tested by the school. I have a history of bi-polar disorder in my family and I would absolutely not risk the use of stimulants on my precious only child. We moved him to a Montessori school this year. He is learning at his own pace and thriving. I never hear a negative thing about the child. I just wanted to thank you for all you and the others here have done for my child and all the others. God bless you.  

Julie

California

My son was forced to take Ritalin and another drug for ADHD. I was told by the psychiatrist and the psychiatric social worker (worked with the psychiatrist) that unless my son was medicated, he could not attend school. I filled out the form stating who forced my son on meds.

I am sorry that you and your family had to endure the same kind of harassment that our family did. I applaud your efforts-you and others like you are heroes in my eyes! I think that groups like this will help families everywhere. 

Amy from New York

Here is a letter written to Mrs. Vicky Dunkle, Ablechild Vice President, Pennsylvania and mother of Shaina Dunkle, a little girl who died at 10 from a ADHD drug prescribed her.

Hello Vicky,  My name is Candace and I just read your story about your daughter Shaina on ritalindeath.com.  I want to thank you for informing me about the dangers our school system.  I too have had it recently, albeit subtally suggested by my sons school that he may "benefit"  from the use of ritalin.  They tell me that he lacks concentration, cannot stay on task and has to be repeatedly reminded to complete assignments.  I thought I'd do some research on the internet when I came across your story.  I want to thank you for your bravery in helping parents like myself who feel like they have no other choice but to give in and medicate their children. Since when did elementary school teachers become medical doctors?  Once again Vicky, thank you for your story.  Your beautiful little girl did not die in vain, she helped one mother in Hamilton, Ontario make a very educated decision.  

Take care.

Candace

Yesterday I got a call from the mother of a child whom my daughter goes to school with. She really helped me to see this for what it is. I felt that I could tell her anything....and did. I cried on the phone with her for over an hour. She helped me to find a new doctor for my daughter. She directed me to which child psychologists could help. She told me about nutrition as a helpful tool. I think my outlook has now changed. I have switched doctors. I HAVE NOT GIVEN MY DAUGHTER STRATERRA. I will not lose my daughter to some ridiculous notion that if a 4 year old is friendly and outgoing well she must have a chemical imbalance because apparently teachers just want their students to sit in the corner and not talk to anyone and not participate. We are NOT talking about my daughter getting nasty reports home about fighting, swearing, smoking in the bathroom, etc. We are talking about, "Your daughter had a bad day because she wouldn't sit next to the teacher." or "Your daughter had a very bad day because she drew a smiley face on another girl's hand". GIVE ME A BREAK. She's 4 and she has NEVER been around other children......EVER. She will do anything and everything possible to be friends with them. I am proud of my daughter for loving school as much as she does. I think she would go everyday if I let her. But if this crap keeps up I will rip her out of there so fast and put her in a school that actually likes CHILDREN and not miniature adults. I see what's going on in my daughter's class and it has more to do with politics and popularity that anything else. How sad at such a young age that this is already apparent. That's what I get for living in a small rich town. We just moved here so we are the outsiders.

-Amy

I wished I'd asked for advice 7 years ago. Please, don't give your child adderall, or anything else for that matter. I'm a mother of five children, two of which have been on ritalin/concerta/adderall for 9 years combined (our 14 yr. old for 7 years and 9 yr. old for two years). Let me describe my 9 yr. old so that you can decide for yourself.

Zach is the youngest of my four boys. Since being on adderall for two years, he's had many side effects. He started on ritalin, which gave him tics. He was changed to adderall and the tics subsided, but only for a while. He has no apetite, even after the medicine has worn off. As a result, he is very, very thin. He has EXTREME mood swings, uncontrollable anger fits, crying spells, a pale color to his skin, various aches and pains, heart palpatations, unexplained fainting spells, nightmares, headaches, stomach aches, intolerant of noise (which is fun in a household of seven!) and he just plain doesn't look right to me. (Try explaining that one to the doctor!) He's been completely without the meds now for a week. I probably didn't wean him enough, but I do see a difference in him already. And no, the side effects have not gone away...yet.

Here's what I'm doing: He now takes a multivitamin/mineral supplement (with as much of everything in it I could find), extra calcium, magnesium, essential oils, and another product called "Focus Attention" that I found at the local herb store. I don't know if it works yet, but we'll try anything. I'm limiting the milk in their diets and trying to cut out sugar. Also, I'm going to have blood work done for hyperthyroidism and hypoglycemia, and anything else I can think of. I'm bringing them to an allergist to test for food alergies. The main thing is to look for something that can be causing the inattention or hyperactivity. You didn't say what your child's symptoms were, but I really believe now that there is something else going on with our children. Read everything you can on the subject so you can make an informed decision on what's best for your child. This site is a good place to start!

We homeschool our kids, which is a very good alternative. But, it is not always easy! Homeschooling does not make inattention and hyperactivity go away. It's been very difficult these last two weeks at our house. (My 17 yr. old is about ready to kill the 14 yr. old!) And it has been tempting to put them back on the meds...it's just easier! And alot quieter! But all I have to do is take one look at Zach to know why I'm doing this.

I'm ashamed to admit it, but no school forced me to give my kids ritalin. I did it because of their inattention in class and behavior at home. I was told it was a real disease, a chemical imbalance in the brain, and in my family, a genetic trait. Being ADHD "explained" why they acted the way they did. The drugs worked, so it had to be real. Now I know it's just not true. Hopefully, it's not to late to reverse the damage done.

God bless!

Sharon, mother in Alabama

February 3, 2003 by Kelly Wolfe for Battle Creek Enquirer Reader's Views

I've thought the whole month of January about special education wanting more tax money, and I've concluded after hearing several parents speak on this issue that special education needs drastic reform.  I think all students who have been falsely labeled with mental disorders should be allowed their day in court before we pump any more tax money into fraudulent disorders that are treated as medical problems with no evidence.  It seems these children are suffering from abuse and fraud rather than a mental condition that one has evidence of, but use powerful drugs to treat.

A resident wrote me a letter claiming ADD is federal law.  I say that fraud, conspiracy, child abuse. Etc., are also laws, so if you're worried about one law being protected, then worry about these other laws also.

Another man wrote stating "don't say ADD is not real."  I say don't let someone foist a negative label on anyone without solid medical evidence.  Stop giving up your well being to people that are only out to exploit.

Next there was a woman who screamed, "Attention: Kelly Wolf" with this story of how she believes her child is so disabled from ADD.  Next time you research dig at least 10 layers below the surface, and you will find the truth.  Children believe everything they are told, but not adults with a high level of intelligence.  ADD has been around for years, and so has fraud, child abuse and child neglect.  Not one of these things is correct just because they have been around for years. Some doctors are not treating ADD, because they know it's fraud.  Give the quality M.D.'s credit for being intelligent.

Kelly Wolfe
Battle Creek, Michigan

A Letter Written to Mrs. Patricia Weathers, Ablechild President and Founder

Dear Patty,

I am a 22- year- old college student pursuing a career in Elementary Education (K-6).  I also work in an Elementary School in North Carolina as a teacher assistant.  I saw you on the Montel Williams show and I want to say, keep it up!  Nothing upsets me more to hear someone say that they were pressured to have their child put on medication for ADHD.  I think that there should be more parents like yourself that want to educate other parents about the negative effects of drugging today's children.  Just wanted to let you know that there are also some teachers out there that support you also!  Keep up the good work!!

 Laurie

First email from Karen 

My son was "diagnosed" ADHD in second grade (he is now 11).  I immediately and without question advocated Ritalin. Intuitively, I knew it was wrong, but I was desperate.  At first, I was relieved to have an explanation for his behavior problems at school, but it soon became apparent that having the diagnosis in place was detrimental.  I had given control of my child's education to strangers whose only concern was to keep him drugged.  From my point of view, school was basically a nightmare.  I cried myself to sleep at night; I cried when I dropped him off at school.  I knew what was waiting for him and felt I had betrayed him.  I hated myself for buying into their lies and deceit.  Finally, it dawned on me that for my child, things would not change.  That's when I decided to homeschool.  It's challenging, to say the least.  I work fulltime and homeschool in the evenings, but he's off drugs and actually knows a lot more than I realized.  The school environment was causing the problems, not the ADHD or behavior issues.

It's immoral what the schools, drug companies and medical community are doing to our children and we, as parents have a responsibility to make these institutions be accountable.  I, for one, have lost faith in a system that requires, no, demands, a "one size fits all" attitude.  It's not only absurd, it's sick.

I am sorry for your loss; it breaks my heart to think of what your family has gone through. Please add my voice to your cause.

Karen

Second email from Karen 

I would consider it an honor for you to post my e-mail and any future e-mails I may send.  After having felt so defeated by the school system, I find it hard to believe I could inspire or move other parents to question anything. 

  My son was diagnosed ADHD at the end of second grade.  I strongly advocated Ritalin as did the school and his doctor.  Intuitively, I knew it was wrong and so constantly questioned the appropriateness of my decision.  I naively thought that once the decision was in place and he was taking medication, the pressure from the school would lessen and he would get the support he so desperately needed.  How wrong I was!  

During third grade, he decided he wanted to eliminate the morning pill.  I received a hysterical phone call at work from his teacher (who he had mistakenly told). "Why had we taken away his morning pill?  I couldn't do it; I was wrong for doing so.  If he was suffering evening rebound effects, why wasn't he on medication 24 hours a day?  Ritalin is to ADHD children as insulin is to diabetics".  I was speechless, but not when I learned that my son was at her side listening to her diatribe against me!  I complained to the principal who was patronizing.  If he was not ADHD, she said, the medication wouldn't help.  I immediately put him back on the morning pill.  I felt depressed and defeated.    

That summer was spent drug free.  I dreaded the beginning of fourth grade when I would have to make the decision whether to medicate him or not.  We began the year without medication, but I was soon in the principal's office, throwing my hands up in despair.  There had to be a program for my son!  She did not offer any other suggestions other than medicaton.  I learned of IEP's from an outside source and immediately began to advocate one for my son.  To show good faith, I asked his doctor to put him on Ritalin and recommend an IEP eval.  I called every week for information and about a month after my initial request,  was told  that because he was doing well on medication, they had arbitrarily and without my knowlege, decided to design a behavior plan for him instead.  I also learned that the school psychologist was considering he had some form of Autism.  I said nothing, filing this information away for future reference, and continued advocating for the IEP.  Finally, after nearly two months (it took them two months to come up with a behavior plan), the teacher called me.  The school psychologist had just returned from an Aspergers seminar and considered him to be Aspergers and not ADHD.  I knew that legally and ethically, the team was not qualified to diagnose.  I reported the incident the following day to the head of Special Services and to the Superintendent of the school district.  They were patronizing and evasive.  No one from the school would return my calls until three days later.  I pulled my son out of school until I could decide what to do, but I couldn't decide anything.  I was paralyzed with doubt and fear.  I was on an emotional roller coaster; one minute I believed they could be right and the next I believed they were completely wrong. In November of 2001, we met to discuss the behavior plan, which  I agreed to, but continued advocating the IEP.  He qualified for speech therapy and occupational therapy  in January of 2002. 

That summer was again spent drug free.  We began fifth grade on medication and with a somewhat open mind, but soon it was evident there were problems.  I complained early on that he seemed to be struggling and began advocating a more intensive IEP, with support in reading and writing.  The team would not qualify him, the teacher said, because his academic scores were too high.  How could they not qualify him if he was failing all subjects but spelling?  Were they blind or insensitive?  Finally, a behavior specialist with some kind of special behavior plan was brought in from another school district.  His plan was based on recognizing only positive behaviors and after speaking with him, I felt optimistic for the first time.  My son loved it and moved up quickly from level one to level three.  But the teacher refused to implement it correctly; it was time consuming.  Meanwhile, his academics continued to suffer, although there was some slight improvement.  I continued to advocate a more intensive IEP.  Finally, after numerous complaints from me, the behavior specialist "approved"  re-evaluating the existing IEP.  I wondered why his opinion counted more than mine, but said nothing.  In January 2003, he qualified for support in reading.  My happiness was shortlived.  He soon started having more problems with behavior.  His classmates continued bullying him and calling him names.  The teacher seemed to think he deserved some of it because he provoked it.  At this time,  he took things into his own hands and took six Ritalin pills (60 mg) unbeknownst to me (I kept the medication very carefully hidden).   I knew something was amiss, but he wouldn't confide in me, so I watched him carefully all evening.  The next morning he confided he had taken the medication.  He was inconsolable, but assured me he hadn't meant to cause himself harm.  He only wanted to behave and be popular.  He kept him out of the school that whole week.

After that, everything deteriorated.  I finally decided to file notice of intent to homeschool, but when I notified the school, they came up with a plan for part time school and a buddy system.  I thought it was odd that I had begged and pleaded with them for support and all of a sudden they couldn't offer me support fast enough.  The behavior specialist wanted to meet the following week to discuss options, so I agreed to postpone withdrawing him until the following week, however, I made it clear he wasn't necessarily staying in school either.  The day before the meeting, I requested a copy of his IEP file (on the advice of an attorney) and reviewed it that evening.  I was dismayed at the disparaging remarks made about my child by his second grade teacher.  I decided that moment to homeschool, but went to the meeting to hear about their "plan".  The teacher did not bother to show and neither did the behavior specialist, who had called the meeting.  Since that day in early March, my son has not been back to school.  

I am not here to rant and rave against public education, but I would urge parents to look at ALL of the  education options out there.  Especially if their child marches to a different tune or is exceptional in any way.  But am I qualified, you ask?   Public school officials would like us to believe we aren't qualified to make decisions about our children's education, but I say who is more qualified or more dedicated than parents?  I still constantly question the sanity of pulling my child out of school, but he's doing well and is completely drug free.  And although I work fulltime and we study evenings, I am finding I don't spend any more time homeschooling than I did advocating for him with the school.  There's no pressure to medicate and I am in charge of his education for the first time.  That makes it all worthwhile.

Karen, A concerned mother in Washington State 

Dear Parents for Label and Drug Free Education,

I have been teaching for 17 years. 14 of them were at Junior High and 3 at High School. I use to be that medications were the answer. However, I have come to believe that is the furthest from the truth. I believe the who concept of "emotional disorders" have been designed to elicit a huge new market for drug companies. That new market is called, "Children". In the past children have taken little in the way of drugs. Only children with unusual health problems. By tagging everyone with "bi-polar", ADD, ADHD, depressed, etc they have opened up a booming new market. Each one of us is different in many ways. Why is education constantly trying to shove all children into the same shaped slot. Why do we constantly continue to mass educate students the way we have been doing for decades. Most of all why are we tampering with unknown health risks of the healthy born children we bring into the world.

SDR

Dear AbleChild.org,

Thanks so very much for your response and we are going to contact Alan and we have signed the petition. My Brian has an appt. at the University of Virginia on the 18th for his second opinion. We count it a blessing that we found this website and even with the misfortune of such a medical condition as heart failure at 25, it would be a blessing to be able to make a stand and prevent this from happening to another child. Brian is really relieved to find out that he WAS NOT a problem child growing up, instead the problems came from the ill effect of ALL the drugs that was PUSHED upon him! Another interesting twist to this is at the age of 9 my brother Noah, now 20, was being forced by a teacher for mom and dad to have him tested. Thank God mom and dad stood firm against it and demanded that he change teachers first, and nothing ever developed from there. Because today Noah is serving our country in the USAF, enlisting after Sept. 11. This would have never happened had he been labeled. Please keep us in Prayer and again thanks for your help!

Many Blessings,

Corenne Colson