The Medicated Child

In ‘The Medicating Child,‘ the Frontline delves into the increase in usage of behavior-modifying prescription drugs by children across the US. The Frontline studies four families across Denver and Colorado, portraying the stress families go through while deciding whether they will let their children use these drugs or not. As an indicator that such drugs are responsible for severe behaviour change among some children, teachers in schools where ‘medicated’ children spend most of their time complaining of sudden behavioural changes among these children. Behaviour-modifying drugs are not new, but they become a major issue of concern when they involve children. This paper reacts to the investigations by the Frontline based on the growing need to control the usage of these drugs. While behaviour-modifying drugs play a huge role in helping children with behavioural disorders cope with their day-to-day activities, there is a need to adopt alternative behaviour-modifying techniques.

Behaviour modification drug usage among children should be shelved because behaviour modification therapy has proved more effective than medication. In the video, Nicolas’s parents refuse to subject him to medication even though their son’s psychologist and doctor strongly believe that he should be subjected to medication. While admitting their son’s behaviour was intense, they see medication as a quick fix for what is otherwise ‘normal.’ Behavior modification programs are essential in the clinical sense because they help individuals break from bad habits and adopt ideal ones (Vijayalakshmi, pp 20-24). Besides, unlike medical treatment, behaviour modification therapy is customizable; hence, it can be applied carefully to suit the needs of the target children (Vijayalakshmi, pp 20-24). On the other hand, behaviour-modifying drugs are applied uniformly across the spectrum without considering the unique needs of the targeted children. Therefore, there is a need for parents and instructors to adopt behaviour modification programs and only settle for drugs as a measure of last resort.

Moreover, Kazda et al. put out another strong standpoint for the reduced use of behaviour-modifying drugs based on the increasing trend of ADHD over-diagnosis. A systemic review of a vast body of research around ADHD diagnosis shows convincing evidence of ADHD over-diagnosis. Kazda et al. aver that children with milder ADHD symptoms are diagnosed with ADHD. To that end, the harms associated with ADHD diagnosis may outweigh the benefits of such a diagnosis. In the video, the Frontline producer Martin Smith points out the suspect over-diagnosis of ADHD even though he does not necessarily claim it is foul play. There is a need to shift from ADHD diagnosis and treatment and direct the resources to alternative non-medical therapies that have proven more effective.

Conclusively, The Frontline production raises serious concerns about the overuse of behaviour-modifying drugs and the need to use alternative means. Most cases of drug use are caused by pressure from schools and instructors who feel that intense behaviour in some children can only be corrected by inducing the drugs. While some children genuinely require these drugs, in some cases, it is merely a quick fix that does not resolve the root problem. Also, based on the recent ADHD overdiagnosis among children and adults, some children are subjected to drugs they do not need. Therefore, parents, psychologists, and school instructors should look for alternative non-medical therapies to help children with intense behaviour learn new ideal habits.

Works Cited

Kazda, Luise, et al. “Overdiagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents: a systematic scoping review.” JAMA Network Open 4.4 (2021): e215335-e215335.

Vijayalakshmi, N. “Behavior Modification Techniques-An Awareness Study.” Shanlax      International Journal of Education 7.2 (2019): 20-24.

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CASE STUDY: The Medicated Child:
Many people feel that young children are being heavily medicated and that this is not logical, effective, or ethical. How do you feel about this issue facing us today?

The Medicated Child

Please view the following documentary from the Frontline program produced by PBS, “The Medicated Child”, by clicking on the link to view: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x17awuw_the-medicated-child-2008_news.
When you are finished viewing the documentary, please write a 2-page paper reiterating the documentary and submit it to me.