AED/222: The Controversy Of Medication

The Controversy of Medication
Anonymous
AED/222
January 1, 2014
Professor Your Professor

The Controversy of Medication
It is hard as an educator to watch a child struggle to learn on the same level as their peers, to focus, and to stay on task. Especially when it is clear that the child has an inability to do all of the above, and could possibly have attention deficit disorder (ADHA) or an emotional behavior disorder (EBD) causing these inabilities. As an educator you want to do what is best for the educational success of all of your students. However, without the proper intervention it is not possible to do so. As a parent it is hard to hear that your child has a disability, we might notice small and sometimes abnormal
However, the hardest part is finding and choosing the right treatment for each individual case. What works for one in most cases will not work for another. Moreover some are not open to all treatment options. Specifically psychotropic medications. Parents love their children and want them to suffer as little as possible in life. They are willing to do everything possible to help their children manage their ADHD and EBD. They participate in individual education plan (IEP) meetings, work closely with the special education department to assist in every way possible, they even enlist the help of tutors and therapist. In some cases this intervention is enough to help their children manage their ADHD. Many parents try everything in their power to help their child manage their symptoms. Some have tried elimination diets. This is when foods that are thought to be a trigger for ADHD, specifically sugars are cut out of a child’s diet , and health foods usually high in fiber are increased. Another study has documented that children with ADHD have a very low level of Omega-3 fatty acids in their blood. Which lead to the theory that adding an Omega-3 fatty supplement to the diet of a child with ADHD could help manage symptoms. It was found that a small but significant improvement in symptoms occurred during this study. Another study observed children of parents who participated in parent training. These training
These medications wok by regulating impulsive behavior, improving attention span and focus by increasing the level of dopamine and norepinephrine, which are chemicals found in the brain. These chemical assist with transmitting signals between nerves. Stimulants have been proven to have improved symptoms in approximately 70 to 80percent of children ("WebMD", 2014). On the other hand there are some not so good effects associated with the use of stimulant medications as well. For instance some of the most common side effects include, tics, increased heartbeat, feeling restless and nervous/jittery, insomnia, reduce or loss in appetite, headaches, upset stomach, irritability, mood swings, depression, and vertigo. More serious side effects associated with the use of stimulants are, chest pain, shortness of breath, fainting, hallucinations (i.e., seeing or hearing things that are not real), suspicion and paranoia, as the risk of dependency ("Helpguide.org", n.d.). Stimulants do have many benefits. On the other hand they also carry many risk. This is why medication is usually the option chosen after exhausting all other available options. The last