Prozac Nation

His teacher had diagnosed him with some attention deficit He didn't conform to her rules to be quiet and just to sit

I had the chance to listen in

between a teacher and parent

The teacher told the mother "Dear

your son needs help, that's apparent"

 

She suggested that the mother

visit a doctor that she knew

One who'd give him medication

to control the fits that he threw

 

His teacher had diagnosed him

with that Attention Deficit

He didn't conform to her rules

to be quiet and just to sit

 

He was no different from those

that all of us knew growing up

Acting unruly like a dog

who doesn't know he's still a pup

 

But now we claim this is disease

though that seems but only a ploy

To make a common worker bee

of what once was a little boy

 

Time out is what we do to them

when our children all misbehave

It has about the same effect

as master becoming the slave

 

A child who won't sit still in school

is no more or less of a joy

In my day they were not called sick

what they said was "he's just a boy"

 

Tate

Author's Note

Some of the parents who listened to doctor Spock in the 60s and 70s.Those who tried the kinder gentler approach to raising little Henry. Are now held hostage by their unruly children. So thank you doctor Spock for everything you didn't do. And for all the answers you professed to have but really never knew. Now the public schools want to discontinue the teaching of cursive writing and spelling . As they see it why do we need them anymore? However they also told us we didn't need the phonics that they discontinued back when children could read? The schools got one thing right. Why try to teach children to write if they can't even read? I would truly be interested in knowing just how many parents have been told by teachers that their children need medication. So if this is the case I would like to take a poll. Tell us all how many of you there truly are. Is this just a way to manage overflowing classrooms? When was it we gave teachers the right to diagnose medical problems? In years gone by we would have thought that an affront. It is truly out of their expertise. But I hear over and over that that teachers recommend certain doctors to make sure the children are medicated. If this is not the case tell me. I could be wrong . However it seems it would be more productive to fix the broken schools. Instead of saying the children are broken.

Reviews

[roarke]

ADD is an alphabet soup designer condition. I could speak volumes here. People, teachers, parents, society of this era look for the magic bullets... there are none. It's not one thing, eureka! and here's the one pill. It's a life time of things, ALL THINGS WE DIDN'T DO, but heaven forbid it's OUR fault.

A diagnosis of ADD works in the favor of institutions and pharmaceutical companies, not the children. It's all gibberish. If you think you have a child with ADD or ADHD, do these things first.
1. Turn off the electronic stimulation and spend time with the child.
2. Make sure his psychotropic chemicals are balanced by a good uninterrupted nights rest.
3. Make sure he gets PLENTY of physical exercise, whether it's sports, chores, or physical hobbies.
4. Be aware that ADHD behavior can be caused by a wide range of conditions, like food allergies, bad bacteria in the gut, ANY processed food, food coloring and additives.
5. Many symptoms of ADD can also be matched to characteristics of low spectrum Autism like Asperger's Syndrome.
6. Some of the characteristics of ADD are due to lagging cognitive development, where the child is not as mature for his chronological age, a 20 y/o acting like a 15 y/o for instance.

None of these things mean there's anything wrong with the child.

these just to name a general few. But no one knew these things in the days Tate is writing about here. Back then most of the things, problems I listed above didn't exist in our home life culture. Be ware the changes for convenience or having to make MONEY and don't short change the kids.

I know, I have a child like this. It's difficult, but it's not about pills, it's about lifestyle. Change it.

Parents brought their children into this world, it's not the responsibility of Sesame Street, baby sitters, Day Care, schools, psychiatric institutions to RAISE those children. Your child is a direct reflection of YOU. If you want a change in your child, change YOUR lifestyle first.

We're a society of pills, let's not make that the legacy for our children. Doing the right thing is always light years harder than just looking for a magic bullet.

[Allen Smuckler]

Hear freaking hear...so true and so well stated..
I am an ex sp. ed teacher and guidance counselor...the only thing we were ever allowed to do or say was to describe a particular behavior. Never, Ever diagnose (except in my particular specialty) and Never recommend a Doctor or medication...you are so right. I'm not shocked by what you say, however I'm surprised by the prevalency. Always have been. You certainly hit a nerve here, Tate.
Your write was terrific, topical and relevant. You made a point we should all be looking at and doing something about. Not just for children but adults as well...however and this is huge.. There are so many other issues involved..too numerous to discuss here..
Thanks for a purposeful and meaningful read Tate
allen

[David Lewis Paget]

Yes Tate, everything has to be diagnosable these days - you hit the nail on the head!
David

PS - Your point about reading and writing is a valid point - while teaching English in China, they divide the learning of language into four separate skills - Reading, writing, listening and speaking. perhaps we should take a leaf out of their book.

[.]

NOTHINGS CHANGED...they are still treating little boys like this..my son is just turned seven and even at four they were on their cases to behave in a certain way..I was told that he has a memory problem...that he couldn't retain information..really? thats why he gets all his spelling right every week and excells are reading - he is in his own little world (like mummy) and finds certain things difficult (maths) but children learn in different ways ..and he is not finding their 'way' of teaching easy to grasp..I find the whole 'labelling' a child disturbing..boys will be boys..classes are to large and more male teachers need to be encouraged to teach so they have role models in school..sorry rant over but you have touched a nerve

[Muse]

I have strong feelings tied to this topic. My theory is...the reason kids can't sit still in school...is because when at home...they sit on their bums and play video games. They have energy to burn!!! My co-workers all have children..and guess what..they all are being medicated for ADD...my kids are not. But it's been suggested that they get tested. It's not that I don't think ADD or ADHD is not for real; I DO! But to assume and to diagnose these young energetic kids at such a young young age is counterproductive I think. Lets turn them into zombies...yeah that's a great solution. How about more gym and or recess instead?

[Kenneth The Poet]

I have to agree, teach not medicate.

[AmandaN]

Thank you Tate, you wrote these words but they echo from my heart.

[Rene Velez]

So true Tate, nothing wrong with an active child, full of energy and being unable to sit still...I believe It's a reaction of a fast metabolism, drugs are created for everything under the sun, pharmas reap the reward...children become dependant and can create further addictions when they are mature...I say let them play in a park till they tire out...great write and read Tate.

[Phibby Venable]

very fine and Roarke has said everything I wanted to say!!

[Wendy Seames Garner]

Some thought provoking stuff you write about, Tate. My own son had his fair share of troubles in school. If home-schooling had been in vogue back then, I would have done it. We never put him on medication and he is just fine now. Married with one child and another on the way, he is a computer programmer. Come to find out, his IQ is in the genus level.