My research topic is ADHD/ADD, and I am narrowing it to focus on medication vs. behavioral treatment for elementary aged children. I will examine the positive and negative effects of both routes, and determine which I think which I believe is a more successful path.
The major issues of this topic are the controversial arguments of whether medication is a benefit or a detriment to the child. While medication can help some aspects of the child’s struggles, it can also have some very negative side effects, including stunted growth, weight loss, sleep disturbances, and an increased risk of becoming addicted to illegal stimulants later in life. In addition, many argue that medication is not a cure for ADD, it is simply masks the symptoms and does not help the child change. Research has shown however, that even the most dedicated of doctors and parents who choose to solely use behavioral methods, have had little success.
I think the most important thing I can do in this paper is to deeply analyze the cause and effects of both medication and behavioral treatment, and from there weigh the pros and cons.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
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