Not only is this something that seems to be misdiagnosed time and again, but diagnosing a FOUR YEAR OLD as having ADHD! Come on!
I'd love to interview this supposed educated doctor. Tell me doc, which 4 year old DOESN'T have random spurts of being inattentive and hyperactivity? Why can't kids be kids any more?
Oh, this stirs the pot on so many issues for me. (in case you couldn't tell!)
First, read this from the article: "...a pharmacist complained that Rebecca's mother kept coming up with excuses for why her daughter needed more and more medication.
Rebecca's teachers, the school nurse and her therapist all told police they never saw behavior in Rebecca that fit her diagnoses, such as aggression, sharp mood swings or hyperactivity."
It infuriates me so much that I will try to just ramble briefly.
A few matters that come to mind, stirring my pot, so to speak:
-children this age should NOT be diagnosed as having ADHD. What happened to the age of reason? 7 or 8, at least? 4 is still so young!
-This also makes me go back to the younger ages we're forcing young children into school. More kids are being diagnosed for reasons like not being able to sit still during school. Four-year-olds are not meant to sit still ALL DAY LONG in school.
"School readiness".....it's garbage. I taught. I don't just say this lightly with no experience to back my opinion. Forcing kids into school at a younger age for longer periods of time does not mean they are READY for it. Nor does it mean they are going to be ready for kindergarten that much sooner.
We are that young once for a reason. THAT is the time to be more active than passive, to play creatively, etc. Pushing them into school with expectations beyond their ages factors into the increase in misdiagnosis.
-I know this one will tick many parents off, but I can't resist. More kids are also going to school earlier as a means to skip that daycare bill. God forbid a parent chooses to stay home (even if only in those early years) to raise their child.
My husband and I are not wealthy at all. In fact, we have only one car, we're still renting, and we clip coupons. Not a choice everyone has to make, I know. But I have no tolerance when a couple says they can't afford for one to stay home. BOLOGNA! When you do the math, the research (I've read a lot of books...), more times than not it is not a financial gain after you factor costs for child care, gas to and from work, work clothes, etc. It's hogwash and people are not willing enough to make sacrifices for the best interest of their families.
-Another issue stirred for me-this article reminds me of how many doctors are so willing to just write off a prescription for a quick fix. Scribble on some paper, quiet the patient, and it's a cure-all. NO. That's the lazy way to do it. Get to the root of the problem. Be proactive. Stop writing off drug after drug because you get a penny or two for it! GRRRR. To me, this goes along with the ridiculous number of prescription commercials we see.
So my very-opinionated-self may have ticked some readers off. You know what? I don't care. I feel for these kids. I feel sad and sorry for them. And I feel pity on their parents for only seeking a quick fix, as opposed to actually parenting.
The mother seemed to have an addiction for the drugs her family was on.
Prosecutors say the Rileys intentionally tried to
quiet their daughter with high doses of Clonidine. Relatives told police the
Rileys called Clonidine the "happy medicine" and the "sleep medicine. All
together, prosecutors say, Carolyn Riley got 200 more pills in one year than she
should have.
When social workers tried to make a home visit in
November, Carolyn "resisted and evaded," Spence said. Weeks later, workers
resolved to make a surprise check, but Rebecca died the very next day, before
they could visit.
The medical examiner said Rebecca died a slow and
painful death. She said the overdose of Clonidine caused her organs to shut
down, filling her lungs with fluid and causing congestive heart
failure.
I pray for this mother and family. I especially pray for their other children, that they may be placed in a loving home.
And maybe I should add "shame on me", because I have the desire to follow this story. I want to see this sick mother prosecuted and punished, behind bars, for the murder of her little daughter.
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