So what is the best advice regarding meds for ADD/ADHD?
James Garbarino (a noted American psychologist) answers that question this way:
“When prescribed for very specific conditions after a thorough exploration of psychological and social conditions in the child’s life, and with appreciation that the principal interventions needed for such children are behavioural and intellectual, some drugs make sense. However, the overall pattern in the western world does not generally meet these standards. There is too much prescription, too little in-depth diagnosis, too little effort to help the social environment change to meet the legitamate needs of children, and too few professionals with the psychiatric knowledge needed to justify the use of drugs as they are currently employed.”
You will of course find contradictory advice from equally qualified experts as Dr. Garbarino but my observations over the years tells me that many children are being medicated without proper evaluations. I have worked with many children who have been prescribed strong medications based on a 10 minute doctor’s visit.