Parents: Would you put your kids on Ritalin or Concerta if they had ADD?

[janice]

I think it's okay to let older children decide whether they want to take it or not, but I believe forcing a kid of any age to take medication is wrong, especially because of the side effects. What do you think? Are there any parents that disagree with me?

[Ryan's mom]

My cousin almost died from taking Ritalin. It destroyed his liver. I would NEVER give these drugs to my child. There are natural treatments for ADD/ADHD that work better, like changing the child's diet, herbal supplements, etc.

[naenae]

I think trying everything and anything known to help first before i go doping up my child

[Brat]

No, I dont think that drugging a child to make them act unlike themselves is fair to the child. I think that they have a different way of learning and doing and that the schools and parents should adjust to that.

I also think ADD and ADHD has become more of a label then anything else. IT is an excuse that parents dont have to parent. I think that you should take the good with the bad and deal with your kid. Not drug them.

[bjoy]

Yes, if my child's condition was sever, I would put my child on medication. I feel that all children need to be given a chance at success and it is not fair to let a treatable condition to stop that. If you child had an outwardly apparent physical condition that could be treated with medication would you refuse it based on the fact that it is not necessary??? Just because you can not physically see the damage does not mean that it does not need to be treated.

I also do not believe that every child need medication.

[learning_to_live_616]

Maybe, I would put on a VERY small dosage of Ritalin when I was a child, and even that helped me a great deal. My mom only gave me half the pill of the smallest doses they came in. I did not have the hyperactive symptoms but was having trouble concentrating on school work, and getting poor grades. With the small amount of Ritalin I had a much easier time and was very successful in school. Certainly if your child suffers side effects don't continue making them take it, but I don't see anything wrong with trying it out. I'm not a huge fan of taking massive amounts of drugs, but if a little bit can help, then I think that is fine.