ABC News - When Chad Taylor noticed his son was apparently experiencing serious side effects from Ritalin prescribed for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, he decided to take the boy off the medication. Now, he says he may be accused of child abuse.
In February, 12-year-old Daniel began displaying some symptoms that his father suspected were related to the use of Ritalin.
"He was losing weight, wasn't sleeping, wasn't eating," Taylor told ABC News affiliate KOAT-TV in New Mexico. "[He] just wasn't Daniel."
So Taylor took Daniel off Ritalin, against his doctor's wishes. And though Taylor noticed Daniel was sleeping better and his appetite had returned, his teachers complained about the return of his disruptive behavior. Daniel seemed unable to sit still and was inattentive. His teachers ultimately learned that he was no longer taking Ritalin.
School officials reported Daniel's parents to New Mexico's Department of Children, Youth and Families.Then a detective and social worker made a home visit.
"The detective told me if I did not medicate my son, I would be arrested for child abuse and neglect," Taylor said.
Child abuse? For making a medical decision concerning one's child? Where in the hell do these people get off making an accusation like that?
You know what the sad thing is? Mr. Taylor's child probably doesn't even need the Ritalin. What he probably needs is more physical activity. He needs more gym class, more recess time where he can go outside and run off some of that excess steam that's causing problems in his classes. But thanks to the nature of today's public schools he's probably not getting it.
Little boys are rambunctious. They're antsy. They have a lot of excess energy and they need a way to run it off. If I were Mr. Taylor I'd be looking to get my kid enrolled in some sort of sport or other activity that's going to tire him out a little bit.
I can understand the school acting to preserve discipline within its classrooms, but threatening to arrest a parent for not choosing to sedate his child with medication? That's just wrong.