Should I Medicate My Child? - book review

BY LAWRENCE H. DILLER, M.D. BASIC BOOKS; $25

Our culture has divided itself into two camps--those for the drug Ritalin and those against it--and this division makes it harder for parents to decide on the best treatment for a child with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), according to Diller, a behavioral pediatrician and family therapist. Instead, he writes, we should assess children on a case by case basis and use whatever tool seems best. Although Diller might prescribe Ritalin after exhausting all nondrug approaches, he adds, "I am optimistic that most children ... can learn skills to help them succeed, very often without any medication at all." To teach children these skills, parents must create rules, set limits, and be consistent; as part of this process, he stresses the importance of parents, schools, therapists, and children working together as a team. This compassionate book, which includes extensive discussions of relevant psychiatric drugs and weighs benefits against side effects, will help concerned parents decide if medication is the right option for their child.

COPYRIGHT 2002 Weider Publications
COPYRIGHT 2002 Gale Group