Out of Order Disorder

Out of Order Disorder

It has been known since the beginning of time that not all people have the same brain function, social graces or self control. Children have daydreamed, been distracted, wiggled and have been routinely disruptive in classrooms. The condition dubbed Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a new name for old behaviors. It has only been the last 40 or so years that these behaviors have become known as a disorder. They were previously accepted, on the most part, as common childhood behavior that would be outgrown. The controversy over the treatment, Ritalin, during the 1960s is when ADHD became well known (Conrad 563). Before that children and their families managed to survive without the labeling and medicating of children who didn’t fit perfectly into the mold. The brain function of a child with ADHD may be different, but who’s to say that difference needs to be changed. The person with ADHD still gets the job done, just differently, with a lot more effort and creativity. There are many who benefit from an ADHD diagnosis, the child is not always one of them.

Parents and teachers benefit from having a child diagnosed with ADHD because it makes the child less of a handful for them, the drugs that need to be taken to control the “problems” will make their lives easier. The child may be less of a discipline issue, but their health and life could be in danger. The effects of the #1 prescribed drug for this “disorder” is Ritalin. Ritalin was introduced in the 1960s for treatment of ADHD. The manufacturer, Ciba sponsored a great deal of research on ADHD medication, putting its brand name first in the public eye (Chemical & Engineering). This medication can be especially damaging, mentally and...

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...sn’t always been the focus of a child’s time in the academic world. Children’s different behavior and scholastic ability were accepted.

There have been successful, famous, creative people that exhibited signs of ADHD. The diagnosis and medication are based on questionnaires given to parents and teachers.

"If Mozart or Beethoven had lived today they would have been drugged for ADHD. This would have destroyed their souls and immeasurably diminished human culture. In my opinion, the current indiscriminate drugging of children is satanic. It destroys character development and fosters a valueless culture. "When a problem arises take a drug."

We need to accept what God has given us and deal with it. Better living with drugs is not always the best case scenario.

Works Cited

(not compiled yet, paper is due Friday. I want to get the body taken care of, please)