Overmedicated

By: Paige Adams

As a new teacher with no experience with learning disabilities, I was completely taken by surprise by some of my students who “allegedly,” fit the label.  Understanding that it takes a trained professional to diagnose these cases, as a layman, I could not understand the overwhelming diagnosis to medicate.  For those students who could not regulate themselves to sit still or behave, it was apparent.  For children on the lower end of the spectrum, the medication made them zombie-like. I started wondering, what is the incentive that allows some parents/guardians to medicate their children when it is unnecessary, and in some instances, over medicate.

          For instance, I had a student who wasn’t quick to grasp concepts, but she managed to get through the work. Could it have been that I motivated her to try harder; possibly.  She never acted out, always gave her best effort in my class, and got along well with the other students. When I inquired with her other teachers about her behavior, only one gave a negative report.  However, that could have totally related to that teacher’s personality and not the child. That is why I became perplexed when this student asked me to let her know when it was 12:00, so she could take her “vitamin.”

          Knowing what the “vitamin” represented, I just sighed and agreed to comply.  The noon hour came somewhere in the middle of my class.  Before the end of the period, this sweet and gentle girl, turned into an empty, glazed eyed drug addict. If we stood her up on the corner, she would have been nodding like a dope fiend.

          This was my first experience witnessing an overmedicated child.  As a new teacher, I could have easily looked the other way, and went with the notion that this child really needed this medication, but that is not in my DNA. After some snooping, I found out she was a foster child.  This fact within itself did not automatically make me assume she was in peril.  In fact, I know several foster care children that were able to progress in loving homes.  However, it did make me curious. I learned that one of the incentives for foster parents to take on children with ADD/ADHD or some other intellectual diagnosis, is more money. In fact, biological parents can receive financial assistance as well. I have no proof that her parents were pimping her for more money, but everytime this child came to my class jovial and full of life, then left like a space cadet, it took everything in me not to cry.

          Fast forward fifteen years later.  My goddaughter was diagnosed with ADHD. At first, I protested the diagnosis because she is the most sociable, happy and loving child.  However, I never had to do homework with her to witness her learning style. I learned that unlike boys, whose hyperactivity is much more apparent, girls tend to lose focus and stare into the distance, like in a trance.  Her mother was offered medication but turned it down.

To combat my goddaughter’s falling grades and sudden lack of interest in school, she was removed from the charter school she attended and placed in public school.  This was due in part because her charter school was not equipped to handle students with an individual educational plan. Since my goddaughter struggled so much the previous school year, her mother made her repeat that grade in the new school. This gave her the confidence she needed and is now on the honor roll after completing her second year.  Here is a clear example of when the school environment did not meet the child’s needs.

          I do not have the all the answers arising under behavioral issues or learning disorders for students.  Sometimes it is the teacher, as in my goddaughter’s case. Her previous teacher did not know how to handle children with learning disorders and took her frustrations out on my goddaughter. Then again, these issues could arise because of a variety of factors like: domestic problems, living in foster care, being bullied, diet, a chemical imbalance, etc. In each of these situations the solution should not always be medication. In instances where medication is necessary, dosing should be closely regulated.  The bottom line, there are alternatives so, why not explore them before prescribing medication.