My genius won’t sit down for consecutive eight hours!
ADD/ADHD/ODD…the letters go on. I find that medicating young children is a crime. Child abuse in fact. Oddly, I have more parents argue with me on this point. What is the reasonable cause of action when a child can not pay attention to an incredibly stressed teacher with the audible monotony of fluorescent lights. Wait, don’t speak poorly of teachers, they are overworked and underpaid. I get it and I agree. Educators should be compensated for the hard, self-sacrificing work that they do. Those, that are self-sacrificing. The teachers who do not provide the same quality of educational care to our youth should participate in annual training programs that maximize their potential. Not-so-good teachers should be supported and pushed to become greater educators. This assessment of “not-so-good” versus “good” would be based upon the administration, individual and collective growth of students as well as verbal and written assessment from the student’s themselves. No aggravating parents will be involved in the formal process, but all comments from parents may be considered.
With that, now back to our failing educational system. I would love to be the eternal optimist but unfortunately, I have fleeting confidence in our educational system. It is failing us. Teaching to state tests, overcrowding in schools and the painfully visible disparities between communities. On top of all of the socio-political rhetoric and complete inefficiency, there is the rampant suggestion of medicating students by teachers. A child has difficulty in sitting quietly for three consistent hours while someone waxes on un-poetically about a half-prepared lesson plan. Children are very receptive. Is it possible that the lack of enthusiasm is so palpable that this child has now adopted your true view of education? Again, I know that teachers are priceless, but I have encountered a new phenomenon with some teachers. The moment a child does not fall in line, there is the possibility of them having ADD?
Teachers have also communicated their disgust with the spoiled rotten, selfish and outwardly insubordinate students who are often cheered on by unrealistic parents. The very children who eat cocoa puffs for breakfast and carry video games in their backpacks…ahem. The teachers have a right to complain as well. So, where is the compromise?
To medicate your child is NOT the solution. Before I continue on, I would like to suggest some possible solutions:
1. Leave the school or school district: consider alternative schooling such as Waldorf or Montessori or Project-Based Learning or Charter schools
2. Supplement the education: Even if you are in the perfect school, it is up to you, parent, to teach your child. The parents are the first teachers and we never stop creating platforms of educating our children
3. Enroll in a sport or arts program…outside of the school! Create opportunities for your child to grow outside of academia
4. Observe your child’s behavior: Before you ream out the teacher, be observant of your child. Does your child respect you, if not, they will not respect anyone else. If you find that there are concerns, start counseling or behavioral modification therapy.
5. Cut the sugar: Sugar addiction creates mood swings, highs and lows. If the child starts the day out with a sugary cereal or pancakes/waffles, that is a dose of up to 10 teaspoons of sugar. This is not the way to stabilize a child for a full day of concentration.
6. Increase the protein: Protein provides amino acids which are important for brain health and building neurotransmitters and hormones. Provide them with a stable start by giving them grounding foods such as nuts, seed, nut/seed butters, beans (hummus on carrots) and eggs/egg whites.
7. Reduce the electromagnetic radiation: A stimulated brain needs not to be overstimulated. The hour before bed there should not be any television, video games nor computer activity. Balancing brain activity for a child with “extra” energy starts with yoga/tai chi, designated meditation/quiet time, board games (remember those), painting, drawing, running, dancing, walking, swimming, hiking and being in nature. Nature, nature, nature is the grounding, balancing tool for us all. Throw those kids out in the park, even in 100 degree temperatures. This is why there exists ice and Thermos’.
The point. Every child is special and every special child deserves the right care. Many of the children who have been diagnosed with ADD/ADHD/ODD have exceptional intellect and often have higher IQ’s than expected. This highly intelligent brain is now forced to participate in an environment that is mediocre and mildly inspiring. This child needs more care. The system needs changing and not the delicate chemistry of this child’s brain. To ask a single mother, working two jobs, to search for free programs or alternative schooling, is a chore to say the least. Medicating a child should be an un-welcomed chore as well. Determining what is acceptable, is up to each household, but exploring all options is the minimal that we can do as parents. The minimal is the least that we can do to save our children.
RESOURCES:
free.ed.gov
thinkfinity.org
brainpop.com
publiclibraries.com
ccstl.org (family services)
niagroupstl.com
Jamila Owens-Todd, N.D. 