Aggressive Kids With ADHD May Not Need Antipsychotic Meds

Why do we always try to treat the symptom (aggression) while not paying attention to the cause? If I have ADHD, I am commonly less successful at school, have a difficult time making friends, and can't finish what I start. Think that may be a reason I get mad easily? Yes. So we just drug them instead. Stupid.

As a former elementary school principal, I am quite aware that attention difficulties are just the tip of the iceberg. ADHD children can't filter out distractions, finish tasks on-time, use their memory optimally, etc. A pill doesn't teach these skills.

My wife and I opted to use cognitive training for our son, Alex. We used Play Attention (www.playattention.com) and ADHD Nanny (www.adhdnanny.com). We've been very successful with these approaches. We also changed our parenting skills with great success.

It's just important to know that medicine teaches nothing. Parents and teachers must actively participate to help change a child's life.

john glennon of NC 1:30PM September 17, 2010