[flashy]

Originally Posted by Ken Moss

I'm afraid my take on things won't go down very well with you either.

Although, as with most things, there are genuine cases it seems that many of these buzz acronyms are applied to children a little too freely these days. Chemical solutions such as Ritalin are favoured over a more behavioural approach such as good old-fashioned discipline.

ADHD was not around in the 1980s and the threat of George the Slipper being wielded across your bare backside was quite enough to keep us all in check without the need for any expensive psychoanalysis or drugs.

Two years ago a local boy was caught vandalising my house and we took part in something called Restorative Justice which basically involved everyone sitting in a room with the police thrashing it out. This little boy came from a broken home and was diagnosed with ADHD, filled to the brim each week with some wonder drug which wasn't working, and after talking to him it came out that what he really enjoyed doing was jigsaws. JIGSAWS. His family seemed shocked at the revelation so I dug out some of my old ones and gave them to him. Since then he has never caused any problems in the neighbourhood and I have been given respect by him simply by listening to him for two hours, something the family could have done in his 11 years on this Earth.

Science moves on and accurate diagnosis is a better way forward but when it is overused it simply becomes a crutch for the parents to absolve themselves of responsibility.

totally agree with what you've said Mossy, a lot of parents get their kids to put it on so they can claim more benefits, seen it done....some even say their kids have it as an excuse for their behaviour, fair enough some MIGHT have it but its funny how people my age didn't have it when we where kids, suddenly someone hears it from some American and it's aparently rife over here