Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is without a doubt one of the largest social problems facing the Baby Boomers in the 21st century. The last two to three decades have seen this disorder labeled many different titles. As stated by Donald J. Brown in his article Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), 1996: What is apparent is that ADHD is a collection of symptoms or criteria. Labeling a child as ADHD creates a large potential for error. The traditional approach of putting children on long-term usage of stimulants such as Ritalin, Centedrin, and Rubifen might allow a child to better concentrate because it somehow slows down the otherwise hyperactive student but it does nothing to help improve their social skills. These drugs might make one less easily distracted. They might also make one less impulsive and help to improve ones memory. Medication for ADHD does not replace family therapy, special education, and other possible treatment for ADHD. According to Noel Peterson, N.D. in Hyperactivity and ADD, The long term side effects of having a child on daily medication has not been established. The exact cause of ADHD is unknown. It has not been decided yet what exactly contributes to this problem, possibly prenatal toxic exposure. There is sometimes a history of injuries to the central nervous system. There is frequently a family history of school problems, behavioral disorders, or other psychosocial problems. The majority of symptoms of ADHD can be addressed with medication but it could possibly lead to a generation of zombie-like robots. These medications are potentially harmful and act merely to mask symptoms without getting to the core of the problem. It is this zombie-like, robot behavior that the Baby Boomer teachers and administrators are seeking to make their jobs easier and classroom behavior more tolerable. Public schools ...
