Unfortunately, 75 out of 100 children who visit a psychiatrist's office for the very first time leave with at least one prescription for ADD or ADHD. Kirk Martin, founder of the educational foundation Celebrate! ADHD says: “We need to change everything else – our attitudes and expectations, our diet and nutrition, the way we reach and teach children – before we change our children with medication. » Parents of children whose behavior is considered difficult or uncontrollable are encouraged to believe that their child has an “illness.” For many parents, it is more socially acceptable to make a diagnosis of your child's behavior rather than simply admitting that your child is misbehaving and the diagnosis comes with an offer of treatment. Many children with this diagnosis receive medication unnecessarily. Medication should not be the first choice of treatment for an unscientific disorder. There are no biological tests for these disorders or a blood test to confirm the diagnosis. With only the best intentions and the trust of their doctors, many parents comply with medications in an effort to improve their child's ability to learn and socialize appropriately with peers. If parents were provided with important information regarding medications such as Ritalin for treatment, the early decision to medicate a child would likely decrease significantly. Many facts about Ritalin are remembered before prescribing this medication to children as young as three years old. It is a violation of parents' rights when they are not provided with appropriate information to make an informed decision. It is also a violation when parents are not informed of possible alternatives to their child's behaviors, such as food allergies...... middle of paper ......bo-Controlled evaluation of side effects of Ritalin. Pediatrics. 9 (6): 1101-1106. Akerman, PT, Dykman, RA, & Peters, JE (1977). Adolescent status of boys with hyperactive and nonhyperactive learning disabilities. Am J Orthopsychiatry. 47:577-596. Aman, MG and Werry, JS (1975). Methylphenidate in children: effects on cardiorespiratory function during exercise. Int J Ment Health. 4: 119-131.http://www.methylphenidate.net/http://www.celebrate-adhd.com/ADHD-Books.htmlhttp://www.halexandria.org/dward057.htmhttp://www. ritalindeath.com/http://www.add-adhd.org/ritalin_CHADD_A.DDhtmlhttp://www.campaignfortruth.com/Eclub/250303/wonderdrugmisused.htmhttp://www.therapistlocator.net/families/Consumer_Updates/ChildrenofAlcoholics. asphttp://kidshealth.org/parent/emotions/behavior/suicide.htmlhttp://www.childdevelopmentinfo.com/parenting/angry_child.shtml