A response from "The Colorado Advisory Network "
A few weeks ago - when the resolution before the state board of education in Colorado I did a search. OK - I did several searches. I came across a very interesting site. It is "The Colorado Advisory Network". Here is the opening paragraph oh their site:
++++++++ The Colorado Advisory Network is a non-profit, 501(c)3 organization that began in 1996. C.A.N. provides educational consultation for parents, schools, and the community in relation to the child with special needs. ++++++++
They have a great site. It is a very nice site with lots of information. It is also located in Littleton, Colorado. I sent an email asking how they felt about the desision that the board handed down on the "Resolution Against Psychotropic Medications". Their director, Mary Anne Fleury, M.A., sent me a response after things on their end calmed down a bit. I let Thanksgiving go by... well anyway - here it is. My question asked how they felt about the State school Board had resolved the "Resolution Against Psychotropic Medications."
Dear Lise,
I'm sorry it has taken me awhile to formulate a response to your question. It has been crazy here in Colorado with parents up in arms about the resolution while still trying to get their children's needs met within the schools. Here is our response.
It is obvious that the persons involved in the passing of the Resolution Against Psychotropic Medications are not professionals in the field of special needs, and have not consulted with professionals and parents of children with special needs who need medication to be successful in life.
As a special education teacher trained in educating children with learning disabilities, emotional disturbance and mental retardation, I have witnessed first hand the positive effects of medication, in proper doses, on the education of children with special needs. In reference to stimulant medications for children with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, they have not only been proven to be successful, but have been researched for well over 20 years. Stimulant medications have been in existence for 40 years and have not proven to be contributors to drug addiction later in life. They have also not shown to affect behavior negatively when given in proper doses. Dr. Timothy Wilens, Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School, and a leading researcher in the field of AD/HD, has performed extensive research on this topic, and has actually determined that children who are not treated for their AD/HD are more likely (I believe the figure was somewhere around 90% more likely) to become substance abusers later in life. This is due to the fact that they are not successful when untreated, and cannot focus and gain control of their lives without external help from medication.
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