Discussion 1

The Medication Debate

Over the past 10 years, children being diagnosed with behavioral problems relating to disabilities such as ADHD and bipolar disorder have risen exponentially. Furthermore, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) states that in 2007, 5.4 million children, ages 4 to 17, have been diagnosed with ADHD, and 2.7 million are taking some type of prescribed medication (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2013).

After watching the video, Medicating kids - Frontline, chapter 1: Nicholas's story, and visiting the webpage, Drug treatment of ADHD, state your opinion in regard to using medication to modify children's behavior. Do you believe that parents should be required to inform teachers if their child is taking a behavior modifying drug? What medication do you feel should have mandatory disclosure, which should be optional, and why? Finally, should behavior therapy be mandatory for any child taking a prescribed behavior modification drug? Include at least one additional source to help support your argument.