Fierce opposition arises to mental health screening in schools

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Opponents of school-based mental health programs point to parents who say their children have been misdiagnosed with problems such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and forced to take medication under pressure from school officials.

To these parents, the commission suggestion to "improve and expand'' school mental health programs is the first, inexorable step toward mandatory school mental health screening for all students, and mandatory medication for many...

Weathers, of Ablechild.org, is among those who believe more attention should be paid to children's nutrition and behavior management, instead of "being so quick to prescribe a drug." Her group supports legislation, sponsored by Rep. John Kline, that would prohibit schools from requiring parents to have their children medicated to attend classes.

Article in Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

 

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posted by Sepp Hasslberger on Monday September 19 2005
updated on Saturday September 24 2005

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