I'm very happy for her and her son. :) Their story is yet another confirmation that I was right to refuse ADHS-medication for my (Aspergers) son, even though it got me into a great deal of trouble and expense. The pressure out there is unbelievable and I can understand why many parents eventually give in.

In my experience, *every* child who doesn't fit a certain norm, and of course many don't, is a target for medication now. Most docs and teachers don't really care if the medicine actually works nor do they concern themselves much about what it can do to the child. Coming up with or being part of alternative solutions takes too much of their precious time. Medicating is easier and so it remains the first line of defense for them, instead of the last one.

My son has been pronounced by several professional folk to be the worst ADHS case they'd ever seen. While it is true that many autistics also have attention deficit, it is often unrelated to ADHS as we know it. Which is why stimulants only "work" for about a quarter/third of the cases. (link: http://www.autismwebsite.com/ARI/treatment/form34q.htm)

Frankly I wouldn't even give meds to him even there was a *good* chance they might work. I just don't like the cost/benefit ratio. And certainly not when he responds so well to spending lots of time outside, a diet rich in Vitamin B and fish oils, and behavioral rewards.

I also have a very hard time seeing the alleged connection between ADHS and Bipolar. I doubt that a good study has been done with ADHS-kids who have never been medicated. The side-effects (and/or withdrawal symptoms) of taking stimulants often mimic manic-depression. I'm surprised that such highly intelligent, well-educated docs did not consider this factor. Perhaps they've never met a speed user before.

Not saying that meds are completely unhelpful but I was thinking somewhere along the lines of maybe 1% of the population instead of just about everyone.

My son also was on Risperdal.

We weaned him off Risperdal as the drug has such horrible side effects. We live in a small town in the South, and there weren't many docs to treat him. The ONE child p-doc within 100 mile radius determined that he was ADHD (after a 5 minute office visit, despite the fact that his school teachers disagreed!) and insisted that he go on Ritalin or they couldn't see him anymore.

Fired that doc, treated for pyroluria and use other supplements, plus behavioral treatments as outlined in Howard Glasser's books. He's caught up to grade level in school now, making friends, and hasn't tried to destroy the house or siblings.

We treat for pyroluria in addition to eliminating food colorings and MSG in the diet. Can you believe I had to get a SIGNED prescription from his doctor before the school would agree to NOT feed him yellow #5? Ridiculous!

The scary thing is, he was dx bipolar in part due to family history (many adults were/are alcoholics, which is "silent bp", dontcha know.) Now two of my sisters have been dx as bipolar based on my SON's dx as bipolar (since it runs in families, that MUST be what their problems are, teenage angst be darned!)

Talk about a self-perpetuating cycle.

" her son has been rediagnosed with ADHD--which I think makes sense based upon what I've read of the kid"

With all due respect to all; I'm kind of shocked to read you agree with any ADHD possible dx based on your passionate writings regarding labeling little boys with this label, who as you say are "future men".

I also want to make sure readers understand that the Harvard Mafia is primarily Joseph Biederman, and that his influence for the Childhood Bipolar Disorder set the tone as a Key Opinion Leader; BUT Biederman's primary focus now is ADHD; so in essence this little boy IS (speaking generally not directly about)representative of yes, the Harvard "army".

This is how subtle this works psych paradigm with children being over-diagnosed and over-medicated and the timeline of the last decade that I've extensively chronicled via research and abstracts; goes.

It began with OCD>ADHD>Childhood Bipolar>Adult ADHD>ADHD continues on and on.

Yes, I am extremely happy to see Molly have a success story with the evasion of the Childhood Bipolar theory and dx,but what needs to be noted here is that Biederman isn't all about that any longer. His mighty influence is still on the front burners with ADHD, which is scary isn't it?

ALL of the DTC literature at my psych office is for ADHD, mostly from Shire, and guess who is funded by Shire for research? Joe Biederman.

The first generation of Childhood Bipolar kids of the last decade are tragic stories, I know, because my daughter is one of them. It's why I want to enlighten here, that Biederman is behind the ADHD medication paradigm and always has been. He also was behind a prominent study for Risperdal, studied it in kids as young as 5 years old in 1999 and as we all (might)know it was approved for use in kids age 10 and up, and for autistic kids too--just this last year.He's been going after this market for a long time and has not slowed down.

I hope I haven't offended anyone.

Molly, I'm genuinely glad that you went against the doctors, as you know I've been there, and wish you the best of luck in the future, this is a hard battle, don't ever give up.

I'm very happy!
I guess it must be a reward for all of you who are telling your stories.

I think it's great that Philip devoted a blog to giving kudos to the mom who got her son off meds. She has a lot of courage and is very inspiring, and it's nice to see credit given where it is due. It's also rare.

thanks to all for commenting, i screwed up in one respect. i neglected to call the mom's (and the dad's?????) heroic, which is was. and is.

if i hear of more stories along these lines i'll write about them for sure.

Our son was diagnosed with 'bipolar' - After the heartaches of a cocktail of meds, we went a different direction - rejected the label, and went with a natural approach... - he's been symptom-free for over two years.

Med withdrawal is dangerous - need to work with a good natural doctor..

This is his story from Bloomberg -
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aBYgkHznuux0