Pubdate: Fri, 20 Apr 2001
Source: San Francisco Chronicle (CA)
Copyright: 2001 San Francisco Chronicle
Contact:  http://www.sfgate.com/chronicle/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/388
Author: Gerald M. Sutliff

RITALIN DEBATE TIMELY

Dear Dateline Editor,

It's difficult to imagine a more timely and important topic than the debate 
about medicating kids with Ritalin or other psychoactive drugs. There's a 
real danger that these children, who for the most part are involuntarily 
medicated, will reach adulthood feeling "out of sorts" when clean and 
sober, "Brave New World" indeed.

Dr. Carmen McGuinness, has shown quite convincingly that most, so called, 
ADD and HADD children  become attentive and focused when they learn to read 
well, that is, learn to decipher the assorted alphabet sound symbols into 
words they speak and understand.  Imagine, if you will, being required to 
attend a class in Chinese History where, while the lecturers are in 
English, all the writing and required reading is in Chinese 
hieroglyphics.  Wouldn't you become restless, bored and even combative?

Gerald M. Sutliff, Emeryville, CA
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D