Annotated Bibliography On Adhd In Children

Is there a Sociological Correlation
Between ADHD and Ritalin in School Age Children?
Literature Review
Jane Doe
MCC
2012

Submitted to XYZ
Professor of Sociology, MCC
Abstract
This study focuses on the increasing diagnosis of Attention deficit Hyperactivity Disorder [ADHD] in children today and, the use of Ritalin for its treatment. Through a literature review with a focus on various guidelines used to diagnose ADHD the study will show a relation between ADHD and, its diagnosis in school age children with relation to changing family structure and, society. Casual factors like parents, educators and, technological innovations will be identified in relation to the increasing diagnosis of ADHD. Using peer reviews to validate the casual
This would suggest that if the child receives proper personal care in early childhood there is less chance of the child being diagnosed with ADHD later in life.
ADHD and socio-cultural origins
Further examining the problem of ADHD and the environment gives rise to the inference that ADHD is more a social and cultural creation, rather than a "neurological disorder." We have seen over the years that when social norms and values change, so do the definitions of deviance. Educators and, researchers are coming to realize that the response of the diagnosis of ADHD as biological maybe erroneous. The diseases would be more properly seen in a socio-cultural perspective.
The education system in the past was based on the authoritative system. In the current society the system has undergone a change through decreasing educator authority, allowing students more control. The family structure has seen a similar change in authority. The single parent families at times have no paternal authority; working mothers cannot show as much emotional support as a child may need; teachers are teaching crowded classrooms and, unable to give as much attention to their
We say to our children, “Say no to drugs” and then offer them their daily dose of Ritalin. We are erroneously focused on a disease that does not exist and, treating it with a drug that is causing the problem to be aggravated.
ADHD is a sociological problem. Our schools are overcrowded, parents are too busy to spend time with their children and, technology has taken the place of physical activity. Children are trying to deal with these changes are other stressors in their environment largely alone. Educators are overburdened with demands for better scores on standardized tests. With the increasing classroom size, they have no time to focus on the children that demand more attention. In order to have all the students conform to the same standards of behavior, the children that fall off the spectrum are prescribed Ritalin.
A more sociological approach would be behavioral intervention, smaller classrooms and, custom educational plans. Yet, these are not even suggested due to lack of resources and economic means. Young children that are physically active do not get an outlet, even during physical education classes due to lack of time. Thus, they have ‘outbursts’ of unrestrained behavior that causes them to be labeled ADHD.
Robyn Suriano, a writer suggested in the Orlando Sentinel, [Suriano,