" I feel that all children deserve a healthy beginning to life. Enforcing drugs on children during such a crucial time and during the development of the brain is devastating. I wrote a letter, published in the citizen, a few weeks back on the developing of the brain, and how extremely gifted children’s cortex continued to thicken until around age 11 or 12, much later than in children of average intelligence. I felt that this might give insight to why the so many gifted children act different and/or show signs of immaturity than that of the same age children with average intelligence. These behaviors may be mistaken as a perfect ADD/ADHD candidate. The scary part is that it is during the cortex development; neurons in the brain make many connections. Drugs may affect how these connections are made. They could alter how neurons are generated or "born," how neurons migrate to the proper places in the brain, how axons grow, or how synapses form. Several studies that suggest ADD/ADHD drugs cause changes in the brains of young animals. Young rats exposed to these drugs developed memory problems that persisted into adulthood. Every study that I have read has proven that the only benefit that the Ritalin does for these children is turn them into teachable zombies. They did not learn anything more than they would have through other means. Just because you couldn’t get them to read without doing drugs doesn’t mean that all is doomed. I totally believe from many proven studies that proper nutrition has a positive effect on the brain. But I also believe that there is more to getting our kids in balance. I also realize that this balance doesn’t happen over night and it take patients, dedication and will power by parents, guardians and educators. Depression is a COMMON side effect of Ritalin and other ADD/ADHD drugs. Depression is NOT something you can rid yourself of in hours, days, or even weeks especially if you have multiply issues and or no counseling. As for the tests… prove to me that OVER 6 Million American children took a test and need these drugs. I live in a small town; I cannot believe how many children are labeled ADD/ADHD. Parents clam there child/children took all these tests; the tests are simple Q&A that would result in 90% of the human Race labeled. I would ask if they took an IQ test. Answer was NO. Conspiracy or not America is looking pretty stupid with this quick fix bandage. There are too many healthy solutions to deplete this infectious deficit. Cheryl Schoonmaker "

" The ADD/ADHD is just and excuse for bad parenting. And or the schools and goverment intervention of parental rights. I'm a grandfather 4 times over now. When my kids where growing up. Even farther back when I was in school. There was no such thing as ADD/ADHD. If I acted up in school, I did my share of clowning around. The principal had the "board of education" hanging on the wall. I was more scared of the phone call home. To my parents, I sure would catch hell from that. Go to the 80s, my son was mouthing off to me at home. I told him to go to his room. He said "make me" I picked him up and carried him to his room. He said"I'm telling my teacher you are abusing me" I bet its worse today 27 yrs later "

" Diet DOES have an impact on brain functioning and chemical imbalances. What do you think neurotransmitters are made from within the body? These chemicals are based in nutrients! It's not just "sugar" and "red dye" but may even be "gluten" (grain protein) and "casein" (milk protein). There are other food intolerances that could be at work. It could be undernutrition (also known as malnutrition) and omega nutrients are very important for proper brain functioning. ADHD also responds very well to proper chiropractic care. Please get Dr. Shari Lieberman's book "The Gluten Connection" for more details. (She's a clinical nutrionist.) And Cheryl? There ARE important tests for ADHD; any diagnosis that comes from a "discussion" is NOT a proper diagnosis. What kind of attention is deficit? Is the hyperactivity truly there, as a frontal lobe underactivity, or is it caused boredom, anxiety, or some other factor? Again, there are tests to uncover the real situation. I'm sorry you didn't know these important details. "

" You can find negatives anywhere on this issue. One thing-yes, Eric Harris was on an antidepressant, but, he took himself off of it a few days before the shootings and was not getting counseling when he was on the antidepressant-which is a very bad idea. Many children are misdiagnosed with ADD/ADHD, but for many the diagnoses is right on!! When you see a child start reading a week after being put on Ritalin you know there are positive results of this course of action. Diet will not change a chemical imbalance in the brain! If a parent chooses to put a child on medication they need to keep track of how the child is doing and do some of the things suggested-sports and other activities. If a child has never been able to focus how do you teach them such a abstract concept? Parents need to find someone they trust to make these difficult decisions and do what is best for their child and themselves! "