Dear Dr. Baughman,
My eight year old son has had recent behavioral problems in school. Consequently,
the school has embarked on a coersive attempt to require my ex-wife and I to medicate my son with psychotropic drugs to treat what they believe to be so-called “ADHD.” I have resisted the school’s attempts and have recently begun a course of action that includes behavioral therapy and tutoring. In an attempt to prove to the school that no neurological abnormalities were present, I attempted to obtain an objective neurological report. However, although the neurologist ruled out any organic abnormalities, she diagnosed my son with ADHD based solely upon my son’s reported behavior at school
[Fred A. Baughman Jr., MD:
Ask her, in a letter copied to your attorney if ADHD is a disease with a confirming, objective, abnormality on some exam or test. As a neurologist she has this as her primary duty as does every physician, regardless of specialty. If it is not, it is, by process of elimination, an arbitrary aggregate of behaviors in a normal child, as was concluded by William Carey of the U of PA at the 11/98 NIH Consensus Conference This is worth establishing . If there is no disease/abnormality (physical, medical) there is no justification for medical treatment]
Please let me know if you would be able to refer me to a neurologist in the New York City or Northern New Jersey area who would be willing to provide an objective neurological report
[Fred A. Baughman Jr., MD:
I can only suggest Dr. E.H. Kolodny at NYU 212 263 6549 but with no guarantees. In particular, one who is willing to consider the possibility that environmental factors may be contributing to my son's undesireable behavior]
[Fred A. Baughman Jr., MD:
In the absence of physical/neurological abnormalities it cannot be said your son's behaviors, no matter how objectionable, are due to anything other than situational factors]
. In addition, the school has referred this matter to the Special Education Division, despite the fact that my recent intervention has resulted in my son’s grades having improved significantly, such that he is now earning 90s on his exams
[Fred A. Baughman Jr., MD:
Which may well lead to a visit from CPS and charges of parental negligence. This is going on all over the country. In San Jose, Diane Booth is in jail facing child abduction charges for taking her own son to Canada to get him out of the clutches of the juvenile court of which he was a ward by virtue of her having refused ADHD/Ritalin.
Nestor Sosa who manages my web site, sucessfully, and very much on his own, fought this battle to un-drug his son.]
Please let me know if you are aware of a New Jersey attorney specializing in parent’s rights, as I intend to vigorously oppose the school’s actions.
[Fred A. Baughman Jr., MD:
try Bob Unger 516 829 3508, also Jonathan Lubell in NYC, who's number I do not have. See attached on HB 1170, right up your alley. A letter to Rep Burns with cc to your school district might get their attention. Good luck, FB]
Thank you in advance.
Sincerely,
Steven ******, Esq.
|
