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Katelyn Garbarino Meghan Keaton English 112 3 March 2013

Smith, Melinda, M.A., and Robert Segal, M.A. "ADD / ADHD and School." : Helping Children with ADHD Succeed at School. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Mar. 2013. In this article, Smith and Segal discuss and inform the signs and symptoms of Attention Deficit Disorders in Children. The authors include important educational topics to inform their reader about this disorder and give the reader a good understanding of signs, symptoms, primary characteristics, and the positive effects of ADD/ADHD. Some of the signs and symptoms included are; inattentive signs. This means when children are doing things they enjoy or hearing about topics in which theyre interested, they have no trouble focusing and staying on task. But when the task is repetitive or boring, they quickly tune out. Another type of sign would be hyperactivity. This means that, children may try to do several things at once, bouncing around from one activity to the next. Even when forced to sit still which can be very difficult for them their foot is tapping, their leg is shaking, or their fingers are drumming. The authors elaborate on facts and myths of the disorder as well as symptoms of inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Reading this article can inform parents as well as teachers on what to look for in their children and students. It is important for parents and professionals to realize that The first step in addressing the problem is to recognize the signs and symptoms. Smith and Segals argument was to be analyzed through the side of the child, or the childs perspective. The authors argument is strong. The authors points and arguments within

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the article are supported by details and facts. When the authors discuss signs or symptoms or the effects of ADD, Smith and Segal always add a list of the elements/ examples of the different effects of ADD. This helps the reader when reading the article to connect to the argument and use the examples given for a better understanding and clarification. I would use this article in my research because it has a good argument with examples for support. It also goes through signs, symptoms, effects, and characteristics of ADD. I thought this was a good article for a basis and start of my research. It casually goes over the main points that I need to know for my question: Does medicating children with ADD help or hinder them in school? Just because a child has symptoms of inattention, impulsivity, or hyperactivity does not mean that he or she has ADD or ADHD. Options to start with include getting your child into therapy, implementing a better diet and exercise plan, and modifying the home environment to minimize distractions. Children with ADD/ADHD need structure, consistency, clear communication, and rewards and consequences for their behavior. They also need lots of love, support, and encouragement. Children who have ADD/ ADHD can be marvelously creative and imaginative.

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DuPaul, George, and Lisa Weyandt. "Schoolbased Intervention for Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Effects on Academic, Social, and Behavioural Functioning." n.d.: n. pag. EBCOhost. Web. 22 Mar. 2013. In this article, written by authors DuPaul and Weyandt, the discussion is of different strategies of ADD and the arguments of the different strategies. The authors discuss social relationships, self-management, and academic interventions. DuPaul and Weyandt argue the effects also of behavioral strategies. This includes; choice making based on studies shown in the classroom. An example of this was assignments assigned by the teacher and the completion of the work by the child with ADD. The study was given to explain the outcome. Social relationships/ peer relationships and social skills were also examined. This outcome explained that children with an ADD disorder become angry easily which results in fewer friends, less liked, and rejected. This study was up against kids without the disorder. The article also discusses the future school- based treatments. The authors discuss what needs to be examined and procedures that needs to be aimed at. The authors argument was pretty strong. The argument was cited and very detailed. There were studies shown to help prove DuPaul and Weyandts points. The authors argument stayed on the same topic of effects on school with an ADD/ADHD disorder. The only problem that a reader might have reading this article is the study cases. What type of children or school are the cases being done? The social relationship discussion the authors related one of the studies to another child who does not have a disorder. The argument of the outcome of a child with the ADD/ADHD disorder ended in no friends, rejected, etc. the reader of this article can argue about the age of the children the study is being done on. Children of different ages express different behaviors. The strongest part of the authors argument was the future research part. The

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authors do a good job arguing what needs to be changed and fixed in this generation. What experts are lagging in and what type of research they found but do not have treatment for. I could use this article in my research because it discusses the main points in my research question. The article talks about the certain behavioral strategies in school As well as social relationships. The article helps me understand the social, academic, and behavioral functioning of a child in school with ADD/ADHD. I can use this article and compare it to other articles I find along my research process and see if I find any information that explains the article with the same or a different argument. Evidence for academic and social interventions with this population is weaker, but recent findings indicate that these are potentially effective treatments. ADHD is a chronic disorder that requires multiple treatments implemented over long periods of time. Children with ADHD often experience difficulties with peer relationships, including making and keeping friends.

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Boyles, Nancy S., and Darlene Contadino. Parenting A Child With Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. n.p.: Lowell House, 1999. eBook Collection (EBSCOhost). Web. 28 Mar. 2013. This article discussed important aspects of the procedure of diagnosis and facts about children with ADD. The article starts off with the history and characteristics of ADD. The authors mentioned that ADD has been around since the beginning of time. It is said that, ADD is not a curse, but evidence of a creative, insightful nature through which great actions are possible. ADD is said to be described as an idea of inattention inside the body rather than outside. The characteristic that stood out the most to a reader would be when the author says that no two people share the same qualities of ADD. Children are either labeled dumb, stupid, lazy, or unmotivational. The authors then go into the diagnosis of children with ADD. The article states that ADD is how the brain is wired and has nothing to do with poor parenting. ADD can be cause by many medical reason such as; tumors, head traumas, etc. The article then discusses that ADD is diagnosed by medical experts and not by teachers, parents, or counselors. Once a child is diagnosed most parents then are afraid to give the OK for the child to be prescribed to medication. The final discussion described the building up of a childs strengths so by the time the child is in High School, the child has an understanding of who they are as a person. The authors argument was strong from a readers perspective. The authors voice was able to be heard as well as the information its reader needed. The strongest part of the whole book was the section when it explained the diagnosis part. The author mentioned that schools play a vital role in the diagnosis of ADD. The author makes it clear that teachers and other school personnel should not be making diagnosis that it is clearly a doctors job. Teachers though, will always be the first to suspect the disorder. The only hole in the authors argument a reader might come across is the poor parenting argument. The author explained in the book that

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parents sometimes think that the childs disorder is a reflection of parenting. The reader may question the fact that parents allowing the child to be prescribed to medication in order to make themselves, as a parent feel better about the childs poor behavior. I would use this article in my research because it gives me an understanding of the legal part of ADD, the diagnosis and the qualifications of schools on this topic. The article also gives me an understanding of history backgrounds of ADD as well as what teachers and parents could do to help their child/ student feel like a normal child and help them express who they are before they leave elementary school. The characteristics of ADD are a result of how the brain is wired, not poor parenting.

In childhood, the three hallmark characteristics, in any combination, are most apparent. Listening for long periods of time and following directions become overwhelming tasks. Keeping track of belongings and the need to be organized can be a monumental chore. Socially, the child with ADD often appears silly and disruptive. His impulsivity tends to get him into difficult situations where he loses control.

Building on the strengths is the key to the success of your child. Both parents and teachers need to be aware of and utilize the strengths to help the child experience success.

Garbarino 7 Bolyn, Michelle. "Cons of Medicating ADHD Children." LIVESTRONG.COM. N.p., 25 Jan. 2010. Web. 01 Apr. 2013.

This article written by Michelle Bolyn, discussed all of the cons of medicating children with ADD. The article mainly argued that the parents should focus on other treatments for ADD besides medication with harsh symptoms. Bolyn argued that medication will help children focus in school, but will not help children remember to do homework and will increase their social awkwardness. As the article went on, Bolyn discussed the different types of ADD medicine and the side effects. There are stimulant and non- stimulant medication both with extreme side effects like dizziness, lose in appetite, depression, etc. Bolyn stated that some parents and doctors cannot find a medication without side effects on some children. These side effects can impact a child on a regular basis in their everyday life. Most children on a stimulant show an increase in negative symptoms, mainly in aggression. Some teens take more medication then they should, as well as pass ADD medication around and sell it to other teens in school.

Bolyns argument was strong. This was done through the writers use of examples through the information of stimulant and non-stimulant ADD medication as well as the other points Bolyn was trying to make. The reader could have been left with a few holes and questions about the argument Boyln was trying to make. Boyln in the article, discussed another alternative to medication for children, this was psychotherapy. The writer did not explain what this type of therapy was so the reader was left with questions. Another question the reader is left with is the argument about doctors and medicine. The article says that doctors do not recommend any other non-medicating treatment. Why doesnt the doctor recommend other remedies besides meds first? The reader could argue that doctors should worry about all these side effects, these children are their patients?

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I would use this article in my research because it discusses the cons for ADD medication in children. It has strong examples that could help me prove the hinder side of my argument. I can argue the symptoms of medication is causes on children as well as research what psychotherapy is and explain that as well as an alternative to medicine.

The medication won't enable your child to never forget his homework or help with social awkwardness.

If parents are looking for something more comprehensive, therapy would address of all of these issues.

Sometimes doctors and mental health professionals tell parents that their children need medication for ADHD without giving them information on other forms of treatment.

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Colin, Ann. "`Our ADD nightmare.'." Parents (10836373) Feb. 1997: 67. MasterFILE Complete. Web. 1 Apr. 2013.

This article is a personal story of a four year old child, Willie. Willie was not prescribed to Ritalin because of his age. Willie showed all the signs of the disorder, but because of the childs age the family and the school needed to suffer. According to Colin, Willie showed signs of aggression and frustration in school and at home. Willie did not like to share and could never take a joke. At home the child would slam doors, make suicidal comments, yell etc. When Willie was old enough about a year later, the doctor prescribed him to Ritalin; the child became endearing, loving, and befriended all his classmates. Willie learned how to share and was excited to learn and be in school. The authors argument was strong because of the way the article was written. It gave the reader perspective of a first-hand event of a child with ADD who was not medicated to being put on Ritalin, besides just reading information and facts about ADD. The only argument the reader could make about this article would be the fact that it only discussed one incident. How can the reader know if the symptoms of ADD are as severe as the way they were portrayed in the article? The author should have interviewed other children and incidents of this type of case to make their argument about the importance of medicating a child with ADD, stronger.

I would use this article in my research by incorporating the argument of the importance of medicating a child with ADD on my positive/ helpful side to my question does medicating a child with ADD help or hinder them in school. I like this article because its a real story of a real child rather than just a general informative article.

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I know we'll still have issues to deal with as he gets older, I feel confident now that we can work with Willie to handle any challenge. There have been no tantrums or shouting, and we know from his busy calendar of playdates and birthday parties that he's made lots of friends. Unlike most children with attention deficit disorder (ADD), Willie has not been helped by Ritalin, the medication commonly prescribed--perhaps because he's too young.