Todd wrote:  He was never hyperactive, but the drug has a somewhat calming
effect.

I am in total agreement with Todd.  I am an adult with ADD and my son has it
also, as it is hereditary.

You would think that a stimulant would make us wilder, but it has the
opposite affect.  It has a calming affect.  There are many studies of late
that shows a brain scans on ADD brains without medication and then ADD
brains with medication.  The difference is amazing.

I agree with Todd that Ritalin was a last resort with our son.  We had
teachers telling us we needed to take him to the doctor and such, but I
thought they just wanted medicated kids so they could teach without
interruptions. I was wrong.  Sam's first grade teacher convinced to at least
take him to a doctor.  She said that 1st grade was the most important and
they could never make up what they didn't learn there.  The difference
between Sam on medicine and Sam off medicine is just unbelievable.

He has had no affects.  He eats just like he did before he went on
medication.  When we went to the doctor last month, I asked for blood work
and some comparisons of his growth because I was wondering.  The doctor
showed me where his growth rate is normal and also his weight is normal.
His blood work came back normal also.  He has been on Ritalin since 1st
grade and is now in the 3rd grade.

The only problem I'm really having is with teachers who have absolutely no
compassion for ADD needs in their classroom.  And I am a teacher!!
Teacher's only have to take 1 class of Special Ed. to graduate.  Any extra
is because they "want" to educate themselves in that area.  <Gifted even
falls under Special Ed.>

Here is a good site to start looking into it:
http://add.about.com/health/add/

Key Brain Area Underactive In Children With ADHD:
http://unisci.com/stories/20001/0329002.htm

Sorry to bring this up on the Paleo list.  You can email me privately if you
have any more questions.

Lisa
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