author attributes this to French culture and its priority on
raising children in a disciplined manner. (By contrast, I would
argue that America is increasingly using the electronic/virtual
world to nurture its up and coming generations, with no
structure or schedule for the children. My mother used to say
the best babysitter in the world was the TV.) Other websites
assure that ADD/ADHD is a fictitious ailment, strictly a set of
behaviors that can be corrected through training and
counseling. These websites are outside of the mainstream
medical/pharmaceutical community, and thus have a lower
level of credibility. Dr. Tom Baker (not of Dr. Who fame)
writes on his website “ADHD isn’t a ‘disease’, it’s a particular
pattern of brain functions that interferes with traditional
classroom learning. It’s like a left-handed student sitting in a
desk made by and for right-handers.” Again, the question is,
are these fidgety people with short attention spans normal
people, or are they deviants that must be treated with meds?
Although there is currently no cure for ADHD, there are a
variety of treatments, coping strategies, and interventions to
assist with the characteristics of ADHD (Alvarez-McHatton).
Medicines such as Ritalin, Focalin, Adderall, and Dexedrine
stimulate brain activity and help extend attention span,