tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8318734518772387227.post7661240409225830609..comments2024-03-28T05:35:07.354-04:00Comments on Lisa Nielsen: The Innovative Educator: If School Was Causing Your Child’s ADD / ADHD Would You Remove Him?Lisa Nielsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07759123507185453030noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8318734518772387227.post-6371627296953500492013-05-16T15:49:39.235-04:002013-05-16T15:49:39.235-04:00Hello everyone! Just wanted to share my story out ...Hello everyone! Just wanted to share my story out here :)<br />When I was a kid, I was drugged with ritalin. I never knew why, I didn't talk much at school because my classmates would bully me, so I had no friends. I paid attention to what interested me in class, what I didn't understand I didn't ask bc I was ashamed,I did lots of sports, played piano, have lovely parents. The shrink even told my mom at some point that I should be left at juvenile home because what I needed was a "beating" so I could be more obedient and agreeable. I've always been more of an introvert, never disrespected anyone in my life, but idk, god knows what that shrink was getting paid for. Anyway, when I first began taking ritalin I became "anorexic" not bc I was concerned about weight but because I lost my appetite. I barely ate, then I began having headaches which turned into migraines, and of course it all end up as being constantly irritable. I started to slam the doors at home, became very aggressive, didn't talk to anyone, everything and everyone annoyed me. That's not normal for an 8 yr old. A year later of havoc, I stopped the meds, I told my mom no more shrinks, no more psychologists, no more nothing. She agreed. After quitting the meds I was back to my usual self, gained my weight back and left that particular school where most of my classmates were drugged as well. <br /><br />Then I began Uni (psychology); by the time I got to senior yr I had a GPA of 4.3 out of 5, without any ritalin or adderal or any sort of stimulants. However, the last semester I had a 40 hr a week internship contract, plus my thesis work, and classes. I thought "well I might just take some ritalin, see what happens". I reckon it was great, I had SO much energy, what it would normally take me 8 hrs to do, it now took me half that time. I'd crash at the end of the day, literally could feel my brain burnt out, but I had to stay awake around 20hrs a day and sleep for 4 in order to do all the things I had to do. About 2 months later, one pill didn't do enough anymore. I had to take 2, and I didn't last sane for the rest of the 3rd month. <br /><br />At around 3am I was working on my thesis, and began having this awful HORRIBLE paranoid hallucinogenic episode. I suddenly began feeling so scared, kept seeing black things through the side of my eye, and then it all began to take shape. I started seeing cockroaches everywhere. EVERYWHERE. Now, I've had a therapist since my first semester at Uni...I thought of calling him because I've never in my life experienced panic attacks nor hallucinations. Didn't call him in the end, crawled to bed, closed my eyes,and began breathing slowly and deeply in order to control my panic attack. The whole thing lasted about 2hrs (which to me seemed an eternity) and never again took those ritalins. Ever. Worst idea to have done that, but thankfully It's all over now.<br /><br />To the parents and teachers out there, really... it's better to take the time and effort of seeking other alternatives, than to fry some child's brain because it seems easier or more comfortable to have them sedated and not bothering you. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8318734518772387227.post-10476466093122967862012-01-01T20:31:32.529-05:002012-01-01T20:31:32.529-05:00Thanks for shedding light on this. Our kids asked ...Thanks for shedding light on this. Our kids asked to be homeschooled back in 1995, when their public school basically said "Ritalin or nothing". With homeschooling, I was able to see what was causing their inattention or hyperactivity (mostly boredom!).<br />Once they were able to learn in ways that worked best for them and spend as much time as they wanted on their creative pursuits, their ADD/ADHD symptoms vanished. I also needed to change our son's diet and became aware of his food sensitivities (esp. red food dye). Many kids, like our 2, are just bright and extremely creative kids who can't learn in conventional ways or need more of a challenge.Dori Staehlehttp://www.nseducationalconsulting.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8318734518772387227.post-35849897760168651372012-01-01T19:51:11.954-05:002012-01-01T19:51:11.954-05:00This is a timely read for me - I am pulling my son...This is a timely read for me - I am pulling my son from school this week. He is a wonderfully brilliant, energetic, quick, hyper preteen and his learning experiences this year have actually been detrimental to his natural love of learning and never-ending curiosity.<br /><br />It was a difficult decision because I am a teacher in the school and we live in a small town which means there will be talk and questions. But, at the same time, it was an easy decision because it was the only one that I knew was right for my son. It's in his best interests.<br /><br />He agreed to try medication awhile back and had a horrible experience. I support his decision not to take the meds, but it still sits as an option in both our minds. I've heard of many success stories, and if he decides he wants to try again, I'll support that too. In the meantime, we have a challenging six months ahead to turn things around and regain his self-confidence and self-worth as a learner.<br /><br />Glad I found this. I'll continue to pay attention to your tweets, too.Errinhttp://justathought.edublogs.orgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8318734518772387227.post-39468612743000022222011-11-07T03:28:42.023-05:002011-11-07T03:28:42.023-05:00It's a great article. My daughter has just rec...It's a great article. My daughter has just recently been undergoing <a href="http://www.add-adhd-teen-help.com/add-adhd/why-should-parents-consider-alternative-schools-for-adhd-children.html/" rel="nofollow">homeschool</a> and she is doing great. She has a flexible time so there is no pressure for her. And I can keep an eye out for her and focus on areas that she is not good at. All in all, she has learned more now than when she was in a conventional school. :)pudgieBearhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13815787314988150917noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8318734518772387227.post-74732550951958409032011-09-19T23:22:58.358-04:002011-09-19T23:22:58.358-04:00I am recently diagnosed, at a very ripe old age. I...I am recently diagnosed, at a very ripe old age. I think I have managed well, and made the best of things when jobs didn't work out or ADHD caused problems. The crisis that led me to this point required quick and effective action, in this case medication. I still have to put in all the work, unfortunately the pills will not sort the paperwork and pay the bills.<br /><br />I think the work that your doing is important, and now that I am"out" as ADHD I get a lot of comments and stories. Couple of points that might be worth nothing:<br />1) When people are insensitive about ADHD being real, kids being spoiled etc, that is unfair. Maybe you could be a little kinder to parents who made the choices they did. Maybe it is worth shocking them or making them rethink things.<br />2) It is difficult to imagine something other than our educational system for most people. If kids on meds are learning things, then they are really learning it. Another thing I hear is of kids basically being sedated with psychotropic drugs, and I am sure that is not best for anyone. If your kid is miserable on meds, they are not the right meds for sure.George McHughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06266439820272557213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8318734518772387227.post-43507163083067053692011-09-19T11:44:48.866-04:002011-09-19T11:44:48.866-04:00Great article, Lisa! This is a topic that makes me...Great article, Lisa! This is a topic that makes me really sad when I hear about, since I have a little one who cannot sit still for five minutes, and I'm sure that if I sent him to school he would be tagged as a ADHD child. I'm very happy to have the opportunity to observe his own abilities and be near him to provide all the resources so he develops fully.PrissGonzalezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08928650729352015185noreply@blogger.com