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ADHD Medication Debate Fuels One Dad To Kidnap His Son
By Rory Stern | October 1, 2009
Welcome back!
There is no shortage of controversy still looming over whether or not children with ADHD should be, or need to be placed on medication. While most things don’t tend to shock me… I was somewhat caught off guard by this story of a man who kidnapped his own son to keep his mother from medicating him for his ADHD symptoms.
The Debate Rages On
If you ask me, there is no stronger story to demonstrate to what lengths parents will go to protect their children as well as how misunderstood ADHD continues to be…
Maybe throw in a little bit of confusion around how to support a child with ADHD.
Yea…that’s right. Despite what we know about ADHD, families continue to be torn apart (in debate) about how to best support a child.
And I’m not sure I can blame anyone. Is it easy walking around, taking advice from multiple people – none of whom you feel you can trust?
What’s At Stake (And What’s Really Going On)
It would be unfair for me to comment on this situation without recognizing that there were likely MANY MORE issues going on between this family than what has been revealed.
Most families “battling” over how to approach treating ADHD, particularly in a child, are facing many more things. Among these difficulties and stressors are:
- Communication problems
- Relationship issues
- Financial stress
- Outside influence
- And more…
So while the surface issue here is one Dad’s attempt to “save his son” from the evils of medication, I can almost guarantee so much more was happening – and the signs were ignored.
Rather than be a backseat driver and pretend to have any opinion on the matter, I’ll use this story as an example to encourage families (or just loved ones in general) to make sure you are taking the time to listen.
Pay attention (no pun intended) to what is going on between the people in your life, and hear what people are saying. Most people don’t just come out and tell you what is going on. And when they do (and if they do), it’s usually met with immediate resistance and defense.
Be an active listener, and really hear what someone is saying. You don’t have to agree with it, but sometimes people just want to be heard and acknowledged.
Topics: Medication | No Comments »