Adhd: Stimulant Medication
The Appropriate Choice: Stimulant Medication for Children with ADHD
Sam is a nine-year-old boy who has just entered the third grade. While his classmates listen to directions, he is constantly fidgeting and cannot seem to sit still. He consistently receives poor marks for both conduct and academics, as he grasps the concepts of easy tasks long after his peers. Sam will frequently blurt out comments at inappropriate times, interrupting the flow of classroom instruction. Because of this, his behavior is detrimental not only to himself, but to the other children in his class as well. His teacher is showing concern and has been advising Sam’s parents that he should see a learning disabilities specialist because she is under the impression that he may have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Sam’s parents, who want him to receive the support he needs, are hesitant, however, to take him to see a physician because they fear that he will be prescribed medication. They are aware that stimulants are often authorized for children, but believe they are too harmful and that other forms of treatment would be less dangerous. Do Sam’s parents have a right to be apprehensive about the use of stimulants in children diagnosed with ADHD? Or are they just simply uneducated and misinformed about this method? According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 3-7% of school-aged children are diagnosed with ADHD. Although the disorder is technically incurable, these children learn to cope with symptoms through a variety of different treatments. These include the use of stimulant medications, psychotherapy, counseling, behavioral modification and neurofeedback (Jacobs 87). To discover which treatment is the most effective, a concise explanation of each, along with their individual regimens, is needed. Next, I will address the belief that ADHD is not a real disorder by providing scientific evidence. Subsequently, I will consult various sources of information to
Sam is a nine-year-old boy who has just entered the third grade. While his classmates listen to directions, he is constantly fidgeting and cannot seem to sit still. He consistently receives poor marks for both conduct and academics, as he grasps the concepts of easy tasks long after his peers. Sam will frequently blurt out comments at inappropriate times, interrupting the flow of classroom instruction. Because of this, his behavior is detrimental not only to himself, but to the other children in his class as well. His teacher is showing concern and has been advising Sam’s parents that he should see a learning disabilities specialist because she is under the impression that he may have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Sam’s parents, who want him to receive the support he needs, are hesitant, however, to take him to see a physician because they fear that he will be prescribed medication. They are aware that stimulants are often authorized for children, but believe they are too harmful and that other forms of treatment would be less dangerous. Do Sam’s parents have a right to be apprehensive about the use of stimulants in children diagnosed with ADHD? Or are they just simply uneducated and misinformed about this method? According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 3-7% of school-aged children are diagnosed with ADHD. Although the disorder is technically incurable, these children learn to cope with symptoms through a variety of different treatments. These include the use of stimulant medications, psychotherapy, counseling, behavioral modification and neurofeedback (Jacobs 87). To discover which treatment is the most effective, a concise explanation of each, along with their individual regimens, is needed. Next, I will address the belief that ADHD is not a real disorder by providing scientific evidence. Subsequently, I will consult various sources of information to
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