Back to School Alert: Gifted Children Being Mislabeled “ADHD” and Given Stimulant Drugs

With children returning to school parents and teachers are being alerted to the high number of gifted children that could be falsely diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and drugged with psychostimulants that may harm their mental performance and creativity. As part of its “Fight for Kids” campaign, the mental health watchdog, Citizens Commission on Human Rights International (CCHR) provides research and articles to teachers and parents to increase awareness of such pediatric misdiagnosis. "It's important for parents and teachers to work together to ensure that children are not placed on mind-altering drugs that can crush their enthusiasm, creativity and learning abilities." Approximately 11 percent of all U.S. children aged 4-17 years are diagnosed with ADHD, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In high school children alone, the diagnosis has been made in 15 percent. CCHR says the symptoms of this “disorder” are so subjective that gifted children are being put at risk of being labeled with ADHD and forced onto powerful stimulants that the Drug Enforcement Administration warns are more potent than cocaine.