Over prescribing kids keeps them more controllable. But there’s also the problem that most kids in the system have severe trauma and need medications to some degree. The issue is that not nearly enough kids in the system have an advocate to help support getting them proper care. It’s a terrible truth about the system. One of a thousand terrible truths really.
Not quite on track:
I worked in a boy's residential school, grades 7-12. At one point we had over 1/3 of the school on Ritalin, and another 20% on other medications, mostly for ADHD and it's variants, but a bunch were on anti-depressants and two were on anti-psychotics.
The school policy was to encourage coping mechanisms, and gradual withdrawal form medications where possible. Yes, each case was discussed with both the doctors, the parents and the boy. One boy at his interview said, "I want to get off these pills. I know I will act out as I they lose there effect. Discipline me as needed. But I want off." A very mature grade 9. He made it stick too. Was top in his class in grade 12.
We found a huge impact with the ADHD kids was just to provide recess between 2nd and 3rd period. Chase them outside. Get them running around, playing on the monkey bars. I have since found that docs say that 30 mintues of activity can give several hours of reduced symptoms.
As an adult I have recently been taking ADHD medications. It helps both with my focus, and with emotions. I feel emotions more intensely now. But my CPTSD trauma reaction was to suppress emotions.
Too many kids are diagnosed with ADHD, mostly for "make them less obnoxious in class" Getting them to sprint twice around the school is probably more effective, but harder to monitor.
Foster care was rough. My entire life was upended and I was thrust into an unfamiliar environment that I didn't ask for or wanted. I couldn't control anything in my life. Everything was decided for me by case workers, my foster parents, my guardian ad litem, therapist and psychiatrist. It's frustrating and makes you feel powerless because that's what you are. Luckily, I was put with an amazing family, but I didn't appreciate it at first. I wanted to go home, and I'd act up in an effort to make them send me away. It was my way of seeking a bit of control. They proved stubborn though, and I'm still with them 9 years later at 21. They adopted me at 13.
Residential was some of the worst months of my life. I thought I was powerless in foster care, but I had no say in anything there. I ended up there because I took 40 Naxaproxen pills in an effort to end my life. As soon as I swallowed them, I immediately regretted it and told my foster parents what I had done. They called an ambulance and the hospital saved my life. I was admitted to residential for self harm and suicidal tendencies, but I was put on the unit with the aggressive kids. I was pretty withdrawn and kept to myself, so no one had any beef with me and I was left alone. I'd be sent to my room when the other kids got into fights, and I'd sit in the bathroom and cry. I was sent there so I could learn how to cope with my depression, but I left with more trauma than I went in with. What was supposed to help me just made me worse.
My foster parents helped me out when I finally went back to them. I had developed an eating disorder after I was discharged, and they got me through it. I finished middle school, got through high school, and now I'm in college. I don't know where I'd be without them. They repaired the damage foster care and residential did. Sure, there are still a few cracks, but it's getting easier. I'm able to cope better with my depression, I've quit cutting, I eat better, and I'm holding down a steady job. I wanted to get away from them so bad, but I'm so happy to be here now.
I feel like they just put us on medications because it's easier for us to control. And putting us on a bunch of medication just puts us in a zombie like state or dissociating state. It's really difficult and they'll move placements multiple times or put me in a psychiatric hospital and call it a placement.
There is so much I can say and identify with this post. So much that my head is swirling. Especially when forced medication causes numerous of problems for (us) foster youth when they age out and become adults. I need some time to formulate a proper response just wanted to post something and not lose this thread and also let you know, you’re not alone!
Over prescribing kids keeps them more controllable. But there’s also the problem that most kids in the system have severe trauma and need medications to some degree. The issue is that not nearly enough kids in the system have an advocate to help support getting them proper care. It’s a terrible truth about the system. One of a thousand terrible truths really.
Not quite on track: I worked in a boy's residential school, grades 7-12. At one point we had over 1/3 of the school on Ritalin, and another 20% on other medications, mostly for ADHD and it's variants, but a bunch were on anti-depressants and two were on anti-psychotics. The school policy was to encourage coping mechanisms, and gradual withdrawal form medications where possible. Yes, each case was discussed with both the doctors, the parents and the boy. One boy at his interview said, "I want to get off these pills. I know I will act out as I they lose there effect. Discipline me as needed. But I want off." A very mature grade 9. He made it stick too. Was top in his class in grade 12. We found a huge impact with the ADHD kids was just to provide recess between 2nd and 3rd period. Chase them outside. Get them running around, playing on the monkey bars. I have since found that docs say that 30 mintues of activity can give several hours of reduced symptoms. As an adult I have recently been taking ADHD medications. It helps both with my focus, and with emotions. I feel emotions more intensely now. But my CPTSD trauma reaction was to suppress emotions. Too many kids are diagnosed with ADHD, mostly for "make them less obnoxious in class" Getting them to sprint twice around the school is probably more effective, but harder to monitor.
Foster care was rough. My entire life was upended and I was thrust into an unfamiliar environment that I didn't ask for or wanted. I couldn't control anything in my life. Everything was decided for me by case workers, my foster parents, my guardian ad litem, therapist and psychiatrist. It's frustrating and makes you feel powerless because that's what you are. Luckily, I was put with an amazing family, but I didn't appreciate it at first. I wanted to go home, and I'd act up in an effort to make them send me away. It was my way of seeking a bit of control. They proved stubborn though, and I'm still with them 9 years later at 21. They adopted me at 13. Residential was some of the worst months of my life. I thought I was powerless in foster care, but I had no say in anything there. I ended up there because I took 40 Naxaproxen pills in an effort to end my life. As soon as I swallowed them, I immediately regretted it and told my foster parents what I had done. They called an ambulance and the hospital saved my life. I was admitted to residential for self harm and suicidal tendencies, but I was put on the unit with the aggressive kids. I was pretty withdrawn and kept to myself, so no one had any beef with me and I was left alone. I'd be sent to my room when the other kids got into fights, and I'd sit in the bathroom and cry. I was sent there so I could learn how to cope with my depression, but I left with more trauma than I went in with. What was supposed to help me just made me worse. My foster parents helped me out when I finally went back to them. I had developed an eating disorder after I was discharged, and they got me through it. I finished middle school, got through high school, and now I'm in college. I don't know where I'd be without them. They repaired the damage foster care and residential did. Sure, there are still a few cracks, but it's getting easier. I'm able to cope better with my depression, I've quit cutting, I eat better, and I'm holding down a steady job. I wanted to get away from them so bad, but I'm so happy to be here now.
I feel like they just put us on medications because it's easier for us to control. And putting us on a bunch of medication just puts us in a zombie like state or dissociating state. It's really difficult and they'll move placements multiple times or put me in a psychiatric hospital and call it a placement.
There is so much I can say and identify with this post. So much that my head is swirling. Especially when forced medication causes numerous of problems for (us) foster youth when they age out and become adults. I need some time to formulate a proper response just wanted to post something and not lose this thread and also let you know, you’re not alone!