THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, August 27, 1996 TAG: 9608270012
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A14 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: 27 lines
As a health-care professional, I read with much interest the article on alternative treatments for ADHD. There is a basic reason why many professionals in this field do not accept the validity of alternative treatments.
Research on ADHD from leading institutions around the country, including National Institutes of Health, continues to verify that ADHD is a normal biochemical disorder.
Doctors and researchers are closer than ever to knowing the specific area of the brain which is responsible for attention span, as well as the inability to delay reactions, as in hyperactivity. The reason that medications, such as Ritalin, are effective for treating ADHD is that they are a temporary remedy for a biochemical problem.
We see much success when proper medication intervention is combined with psychotherapy. Many times, family therapy or group therapy can be helpful for the child and family in understanding and adjusting to the ADHD symptoms and long-term family and educational effects.
GARY ROTFUS
Virginia Beach, Aug. 20, 1996 by CNB