A recent study showed that 1 in every 4 children in preschool is taking medication for ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). The majority of kids that age have a tough time paying attention to extended periods of time because their brain and body is nowhere close to being fully developed. Medication shouldn’t be the first option when it comes to treating kids who have ADHD or who we think have ADHD. There certainly are cases where medication is a viable option studies suggest we shouldn’t rush to this conclusion for most children. We need to let their brains develop before we go ahead and resort to the easy way out, medication. Being able to focus and behave are habits that need to be taught rather than medicated.
Source:
John M. Grohol, “Too Many Preschoolers Getting Medication for ADHD,” April 3, 2015 http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2015/04/03/too-many-preschoolers-getting-medications-for-adhd/
Related Sources:
“10,000 Toddlers on Drugs for Non-disorder A.D.H.D,” Media Roots, May 20, 2014, http://mediaroots.org/10000-toddlers-on-drugs-for-non-disorder-a-d-h-d/
“ADD / ADHD in Children: Signs and Symptoms of Attention Deficit Disorder in Kids,” Help Guide.org., http://www.helpguide.org/articles/add-adhd/attention-deficit-disorder-adhd-in-children.htm
Student Researcher: Lily Pruneda, Indian River State College
Faculty Evaluator: Elliot D. Cohen, Ph.D., Indian River State College