I mainly worked in schools (a little bit in private practice), and we had our own system based on the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). But I can't tell you how often I said, "I wish we didn't have to diagnose people." Since you accessed my LinkedIn account, you can verify how I feel about Dx by reading my series, "Can you change somebody?" But diagnoses are mandated for insurance reimbursement and also IDEA services. The DSM is moving towards a dimensional rather than categorical system (link below), which is a step in the right direction, but they have a ways to go. When I used to protest labeling people, my grad school advisor would say, "Labels are just words, and we do need words to describe, so what else do you suggest?" I get the argument, and I think much of the negative results of labeling are due to our society's prejudice against mental illness, and until that changes, we can change the words but they will continue to take on negative connotations. My solution was to just identify "strengths and needs" and work on those, but my professor might be right and it wouldn't really help until society changes. The IDEA system in particular is very flawed and leaves out a lot of kids needing help. But to help them all, well, you know, that would be TOO expensive and Congress doesn't provide enough funding as it is. So what is your solution? I'm all ears.
I accessed your Substack to find that out. I have 2 adopted disabled kids so I know the school system. When I asked the K teacher how I could help my son over the Summer and her response was "how about we try some medication" I went back to school for a Masters in Ed. THAT was my solution and they were both homeschooled and YES we lived on one income!
Another good documentary is "The medicated child" which you may agree with.
Wow - you're a dedicated parent! I'm sorry that the teacher made a recommendation outside her scope of expertise and you felt compelled to withdraw your kids. Here's a short excerpt of what the National Association of School Psychologists says on the topic:
"The decision to use medication rests with the parents and child, in consultation with medical
professionals ... medication should not be the only intervention considered. Therefore, it is inappropriate and illegal to make school placements and services contingent on seeking
or obtaining medication treatment." Having worked in many different schools and states (we moved a lot due to my husband's work), I've seen really good school districts, and not so good ones, pertaining to special education identification and services, especially with ADHD. On the issue of meds, I agree it should be totally up to parents and they should never be pressured by schools. I would tell parents they might want to discuss it with their pediatrician, but it was totally their decision. I can say that I did see meds help many students stay more focused and on task, but they were no miracle cure, and other interventions were also needed, which some schools refuse to provide. Not good! I also understand parental concerns about long-term effects, especially since there's increasing evidence that they can have serious ones (link below). I once had a principal who told me she was ADHD and her solution when in school was to just take them when she really needed them to study for tests or write term papers. (They're one of the drugs that can be taken "as needed," and don't need to be taken every day.) I think she was mostly off them when I worked with her. She had learned some really awesome strategies for curbing her impulsiveness when dealing with parents, which probably saved her job! Anyway, I admire your dedication to your kids and wish you and them the best!
OH you are retired psychologist? Wanna talk about the DSM ?? How about watching a documentary called
Here's a link. Let me know what you think about the process.
https://youtu.be/-Nd40Uy6tbQ?feature=shared
I mainly worked in schools (a little bit in private practice), and we had our own system based on the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). But I can't tell you how often I said, "I wish we didn't have to diagnose people." Since you accessed my LinkedIn account, you can verify how I feel about Dx by reading my series, "Can you change somebody?" But diagnoses are mandated for insurance reimbursement and also IDEA services. The DSM is moving towards a dimensional rather than categorical system (link below), which is a step in the right direction, but they have a ways to go. When I used to protest labeling people, my grad school advisor would say, "Labels are just words, and we do need words to describe, so what else do you suggest?" I get the argument, and I think much of the negative results of labeling are due to our society's prejudice against mental illness, and until that changes, we can change the words but they will continue to take on negative connotations. My solution was to just identify "strengths and needs" and work on those, but my professor might be right and it wouldn't really help until society changes. The IDEA system in particular is very flawed and leaves out a lot of kids needing help. But to help them all, well, you know, that would be TOO expensive and Congress doesn't provide enough funding as it is. So what is your solution? I'm all ears.
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1529100617727267
I accessed your Substack to find that out. I have 2 adopted disabled kids so I know the school system. When I asked the K teacher how I could help my son over the Summer and her response was "how about we try some medication" I went back to school for a Masters in Ed. THAT was my solution and they were both homeschooled and YES we lived on one income!
Another good documentary is "The medicated child" which you may agree with.
https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/documentary/medicatedchild/
Looking to the government to help anyone and not just go to D.C. to line their own pockets is a dream.
Here's another good one
https://tubitv.com/movies/716199/medicating-norma
Wow - you're a dedicated parent! I'm sorry that the teacher made a recommendation outside her scope of expertise and you felt compelled to withdraw your kids. Here's a short excerpt of what the National Association of School Psychologists says on the topic:
"The decision to use medication rests with the parents and child, in consultation with medical
professionals ... medication should not be the only intervention considered. Therefore, it is inappropriate and illegal to make school placements and services contingent on seeking
or obtaining medication treatment." Having worked in many different schools and states (we moved a lot due to my husband's work), I've seen really good school districts, and not so good ones, pertaining to special education identification and services, especially with ADHD. On the issue of meds, I agree it should be totally up to parents and they should never be pressured by schools. I would tell parents they might want to discuss it with their pediatrician, but it was totally their decision. I can say that I did see meds help many students stay more focused and on task, but they were no miracle cure, and other interventions were also needed, which some schools refuse to provide. Not good! I also understand parental concerns about long-term effects, especially since there's increasing evidence that they can have serious ones (link below). I once had a principal who told me she was ADHD and her solution when in school was to just take them when she really needed them to study for tests or write term papers. (They're one of the drugs that can be taken "as needed," and don't need to be taken every day.) I think she was mostly off them when I worked with her. She had learned some really awesome strategies for curbing her impulsiveness when dealing with parents, which probably saved her job! Anyway, I admire your dedication to your kids and wish you and them the best!
https://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/long-term-risks-adhd-medications
Thank you! My sons are now 32 and 26 and although born very early (27 and 28 weeks) are both productive citizens.
Wow! You must be very proud! So cool!