Ravenel and Rosemond argue in their book that in the 30-plus years since ADHD was recognized as a behavior disorder, no objective diagnostic criteria have been developed; no ADHD gene has been discovered; and no ADHD biochemical imbalance has been quantified.
"We don't believe there's any evidence to support (ADHD's existence), and there's a compelling amount of evidence to support what we're proposing," Ravenel says. "We think everybody ought to be trying this alternative first."
Ravenel's primary concern, he says, is the longterm impact of ADHD medications such as Ritalin, Concerta and Adderall.
"Even establishment members would agree that no one knows what the effects of longterm exposure to these psychotropic drugs would be," he says.
The authors recommend a four-prong behavioral approach in lieu of medication:
--Reframe the child's self-image from that of a person with a disabled brain to one with great potential. That can be done, they say, through an old-fashioned parenting approach that combines "powerful love and powerful discipline."
--Eliminate or restrict the child's exposure to electronic media such as TV, video games and computers. "Children get addicted to these electronic stimuli," Ravenel says.
--Change the child's diet from the typical American diet of fast food, processed carbohydrates and sugars to more healthy foods. Also, fish oil supplements have been shown to benefit learning and behavior, Ravenel says.
--De-emphasize the current educational trend that requires kindergartners to learn what once wasn't learned until first grade, because that trend causes more children to struggle and fail.
This approach has made believers out of numerous parents who have brought their children to Ravenel's practice at Cornerstone Pediatrics, he says.
"If you talk to parents whose children were faced with the prospect of their child being on medication for the rest of their life, and then within just a few weeks or months the problem is solved, they get really passionate," Ravenel says. "And they can't believe other parents are not being exposed to the same idea."
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