Dear editor
This letter is in response to the (letter to the editor, April 14) implying the goals of our schools is to have all children medicated.
Our elementary schools are not experts in diagnosing children with A.D.H.D. and other mental conditions, but they are an excellent place to start.
Our schools have child psychologists who are qualified. The teachers are an excellent source, also. They see thousands of children and are well-trained to know what is appropriate for the age groups they are teaching.
My child attended Pine Tree Elementary 12 years ago. He made it through the first week when the first grade teacher approached me about a mental condition called A.D.H.D. I was already well aware that he did not fit in, because teachers previously in daycare and kindergarten were seeing all kinds of red flags. He was hyper and impulsive, and not socially or academically fitting in with his age group.
We tried everything natural: diet, exercise, changing our discipline methods, etc…nothing helped. As a mother I was worn out, and tired of complaints and being embarrassed.
After visits with a different psychologist and psychiatrist, we met Dr. London. We love Dr. London. He is excellent with children and parents. He and his colleague Dr. Swisstack are the best doctors we have seen in my son’s 17 years.
They have not always told me pretty things about my son and how he is affected and will be in the future, but they have been right.
We no longer see Dr. London because, like most teenagers, my son refuses to take medication. I do believe that years of medication have helped him to be where he is now socially and academically The medication helped him to slow down and have acceptable behavior, which became routine. I still refer back to Dr. London’s and Dr. Swisstack’s recommendations on how to handle my son.
For all parents who are struggling with a mental diagnosis, medication can be extremely helpful. There are many kinds of medication. If you don’t like the side effects of one after you’ve given it a chance, try another. I agree that if you want your child to learn and grow into a productive adult, you definitely need to give medication and counseling a good chance.
I tell my son today to always remember: If he wants to get help again, medication may make it easier to succeed in college, career, or marriage.
He should never be ashamed to get help. Life is hard – life with A.D.H.D. is even harder. A mental diagnosis seems harder for parents to handle than a physical diagnosis. If your child was diagnosed with diabetes, would you not medicate them? Why put your child through life struggling when there is help in medication to give them a better quality of life?
-Laura Thomas