Science, Drugs and Shoes That Fit Right

When our kid has trouble seeing, we don't hit the web and read every anecdote Google barfs up, then spend who knows how long confused as to whether it's right to subject the poor fragile creature to the possible long-term ill effects of mechanical appliances. Of course not.

We also don't generally read everything we can find about how eyes work and then head for the local optometrist with a list of things we think they should do, not do, avoid, pursue or consider as they design the eyeglasses we ordered especially for our poor, fragile, special child. That would be kind of Joan Crawford.

What we do is this. We take the kid to a trained specialist who performs a series of specific, highly controlled tests and measurements. The specialist then uses the test results to formulate a recommendation, which is presented to us. We then have the kid try out the suggested remedy. If it doesn't quite do the job expected, the specialist performs a series of adjustments, testing each one until the solution is correct. That solution may be glasses, surgery, or referral to a different expert. No matter, we do it because we know the process works and results in the best for our kids.

So what's different about ADD/ADHD? Why are the same people whose cupboards are populated with pill bottles full of all sorts of over-the-counter quackery so loud about the proposed harm ADD medication does to children? I guess that a lot people who haven't missed an eye appointment, dental exam or physical since God was a boy still don't believe psychiatry is an actual science, and even those who do seem secretly convinced that the human mind is too scary precious to let even that science mess with. Mind, brain, it's all the same thing, isn't it? Maybe. Maybe not. But one thing is certain beyond doubt: ADD/ADHD is real, but there's so much smoke and falling sky generated by the Luddites and WellnessHeads out there even actual facts and critical thinking are hard pressed to keep things clear. So you better get busy if you want the facts. The National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities have published a briefing paper that's a great place to start. Here's the link:

http://www.add-adhd.org/ADHD_attention-deficit.html

Once you're done there, check out these resources:

http://www.ldonline.org/indepth/adhd
http://add.about.com/

You should now have a good understanding abou where modern science is on this topic. Feel free to explore, study and form educated opinions on your own. Good Luck!

Let me close with this: I have absolutely no problem with providing any child any prosthetic they need, mechanical or otherwise, to adequately navigate the rugged terrain of life. But no prosthetic, whether it's a leg brace, ADD medication, a pair of eyeglasses, school clothes or shoes that fit right should be prescribed by anyone but a properly trained and qualified expert. Properly tuned ADD medication saved my career (I was diagnosed at age 43 -- talk about a life paradigm shift!). The tuning took a few iterations, as should be expected, but that process not only eliminated the side effects but also reinforced my confidence in the prescription and the overall expertise of my provider.

OK. I'm done.

Peace,
Robert