I have been reading this board, lurking in other words, for some time. Brian seems to be regularly bashed and although I believe his presentation at times it rather gruff I do believe he only wants parents to see another side. My son was diagnosed “ADHD” since pre-K. Ritalin for a while, Aderrall for even longer. I watched my super bright, spontaneous, boisterous child turn into a zombie. After a pill he looked like someone poked him with a needle and let all his spirit out. I won’t go into detail the hell I have been through but I will tell whats its been like since I read “Ritalin is not the Answer” by David B. Stein. I took my son of his ‘meds” 4 weeks yesterday and incorporated a new discipline plan, for him and me. Our entire household has become more positive and peaceful. As for my son, he still has some struggles in school but nothing I can’t deal with and his teachers will learn to deal with. I can tell you this: he sleeps and actually wants to go to sleep (is no longer jittery or feels like bugs are crawling on him); he eats, he is alert, his personality is back, he has more confidence; he is no longer obnoxious, beligerent, tearful,sad,angry, on edge or frustrated. If nothing else says it all, on the note I had to get from his doctor to remove his meds from school it stated “Mother is refusing to medicate and SINCE IT IS NOT MEDICALLY NECESSARY TO MAINTAIN HEALTH please discontinue the use of said medication. I had to take a cold hard look at myself, my family enviroment and make some drastic changes but my son is MED free, forever, and I pray medicating him for all these years hasn’t damaged him, physically or mentally.
Re: My story, and Im sticking to it-
I am very happy you have found what is going to work with your family!
Re: My story, and Im sticking to it-
Obviously, your child was misdiagnosed. A gifted child who is not sufficiently challenged may look like he is ADHD. Meds won’t help and will have (temporary) bad effects for kids who DON’T have ADHD. It doesn’t follow, however, that ALL children who take meds are misdiagnosed, or that meds themselves are evil or will cause harm to all children, both of which are positions that the infamous Brian, in all his many forms, espouses. If your child is still having problems, look into whether he needs more challenge at school.
Re: My story, and Im sticking to it-
Sonshineas, did you get David Stein’s book and the accompanying manual? Is there a practical program in it that can be followed in school, even if it wouldn’t be followed through at home?
Re: My story, and Im sticking to it-
How very sad for your son and your family, what the meds were doing to him.
I admire your courage and determination to help your son in this way, getting him off the meds, that were obviously destroying/crushing his spirit.
All the best of luck to you and your family! :D
Neat story! Thanks for sharing! Never, never give up on your son.