Michael was drugged those last two weeks and all of second and third grade. I never drugged him in the summer months. Though I had glowing reports from the first grade teacher and some good reports from the second grade teacher all did not result well for us. In third grade, Michael began showing bizarre chewing behaviors, increased anxiety and social withdrawal. He would frequently avoid recess and when he did go outside for recess he would stand on the side of the field shuffling his feet in the dirt, looking down and not socially interacting. His anxiety only increased and a "medication" change was made with no improvement. The school psychologist's favorite saying through this ordeal was that it was "trial and error".  If one drug didn't work try another.

At this point the school psychologist took me aside and told me that she believed Michael had bi-polar or social anxiety disorder and that I should take him to a psychiatrist. She sent me literature on bi-polar disorder in the mail, highlighting some of what she believed were Michael's characteristics.  I took him to the psychiatrist that the school recommended and based once again on school reports my son was diagnosed with social anxiety disorder and I was handed a prescription for an anti-depressant.  I was never at any time made aware that the drug was not FDA approved for children under the age of 18.

Michael has been off ALL drugs since December 16, 1999. He has his sense of life back into him and continues to grow physically and emotionally every day. Out of my family's experience and others like me, I realize that school districts cross medical lines each and every day. This type of "medical" education bears little resemblance to the "academic education" of earlier years, falling miserably short. My first-hand experience of the public education system has and will lead me to homeschool my children.

I have spoken out on this matter in front of the national media and in front of Congress. Sheila Matthews and I started AbleChild: Parents for Label and Drug Free Education in hopes of alerting parents of the facts behind this "disorder".  I will continue to fight for this because I believe a terrible wrong has been committed against my family and I do not want it to happen to anyone else.  I will only stop fighting when this end is realized.

I believe families throughout this country need protection. They, as citizens, should have a conscious choice to "medicate" their children or not. They should be given all factual information about the lack of hard science behind this "disorder" and the very real effects that these drugs could have on their children.  I want to make sure that no parent feels pressured into drugging his child by any school system. School systems should be educational settings that employ educational tools for children, NOT medical tools.  In truth, I believe we should start educating and stop "medicating".

Patricia Weathers, President & Founder, State of New York

   ablechild@optonline.net