> > I have a hard time buying it. So-called "Attention Deficit Disorder" is not a new phenomenon. We've just created a label for something that's always existed.
> >
> > My brother was having a hard time in school, considered to have one of the afore-mentioned problems-my parents took him out, decided to homeschool him, and give him the personal attention, instruction, and care he couldn't get anywhere else. He's doing great now, and we're pretty sure the problem was more with the way he was treated by the system.
>
> Good point. I haven't made up my mind one way or another on this. One thing I have believe is how appalling it is that some seem so quick to prescribe amphetamines (Ritalin) to combat ADD or ADHD. I don't like the idea of drugging children in that manner. Treatment like your brother received seems a better solution. It worked for my nephew as well.

I have to side with Mark on this one, almost word-for-word. There is definitely a problem involved in most of these cases (while there may be some cases of children who are, as you said, too advanced, I can't help but think they're in the minority), at least as explained to me by all of the people I grew up with who had ADD. And I believe that other options should be explored before drugs are administered. If absolutely nothing else works, then try medication. As someone who has survived for nearly twenty-one years with manic-depression (or bipolar disorder, or whatever they call it nowadays) and has never taken medication for it, I assure you that it is possible to overcome these things. It's not easy, but to my mind it's worth it. I feel better knowing that I can deal with my problems without recourse to lithium pills; it might be best to give your son the opportunity to do the same.

So, again, my advice is to try something else first. But don't ignore the problem under the pretense that it's just "normal" behaviour.