South Carolina ranks among the top five states in the nation in the percentage of children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) – and the numbers are getting worse.
Nearly one in six South Carolina children between the ages of four and seventeen has been diagnosed with this psychiatric disorder. That’s a whopping 56.9 percent increase over the last decade, according to a study released this week by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (and based on data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control).
South Carolina easily outpaces the national average of 11 percent – which grew from 7.8 percent in 2003.
Frankly, this is yet another reason why our government-run “one size fits all” education monopoly is such a categorical failure – it simply cannot meet the needs of a growing segment of the student population.
Who is meeting these needs? Schools accountable to the marketplace: Like this one … and this one … and this one. Schools which could be succeeding wildly if South Carolina were only to embrace reforms
This data is a call to action for state lawmakers and S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley. Our state’s leaders must make the expansion of South Carolina’s limited special needs education tax credit (passed on a provisional basis this year) one of their top priorities in 2014.
33 comments
So basically, South Carolinian children being more prone to ADHD is somehow something that can be used to condemn public education, and therefore we should funnel taxpayer dollars to private institutions because something something government monopoly something competition?
Jesus, why do I even bother? I mean, the first thing that comes to mind if I had a kid that was diagnosed with ADHD? Get a second/third medical opinion? Find out if it is bad enough to warrant medication? Work with my kid to find study methods that work best? Help my kid a bit more with their homework or studying for tests? Work with my kid to help them focus better in class? Talk with teachers or school staff to figure out if there’s any programs to help them? Maybe invest in some after school program or tutoring? The last thing that would be on my mind is “Man, I sure wish gubmint would help pay for my kid to go to private school, then ADHD wouldn’t be a problem!” That’s almost as stupid as it is offensive.
ADHD is one of the most commonly diagnosed childhood disorders. Being diagnosed with this disorder doesn’t automatically place you in a “special needs” category. What these kids need is a bit more focused parenting. Putting those kids in a private school won’t make up for shitty parenting, which is the real danger those kids face. This shit shouldn’t be left up to the teacher or school to deal with alone, even if it is a private school. Don’t fail your kid.
If you want your kid to go to a private school, pay for it yourself. Giving free taxpayer money to private institutions will only result in corruption and ultimately a vastly different yet still flawed educational system.
SC government schools have been given billions of dollars in new money over the last decade yet still boast the nation’s worst graduation rates, next-to-lowest SAT scores and are falling further behind on NAEP. Meanwhile in Florida – where they do offer expanded special needs tax credits and scholarships – at-risk students are now outperforming AVERAGE SC students.
Like it, hate it … choice works. Market pressure works.
Oh, and we ARE paying for government’s failed monopoly (which last time we checked was sitting on $1 billion in unspent “surplus” revenue). They’re called taxes.
How can it be a monopoly when alternatives already exist?
I went to a private school, but I think vouchers would cause the downfall of private schools. Trust me, they don’t want the feds involved (the real root of 95% of the problems with the public school system).
It’s a soft monopoly in that everyone is being taxed to support the schools, dramatically reducing & distorting market forces that would normally balance cost/quality in a free market while also making it much more difficult for private schools to survive.
Will it ever change? Doubtful.
If you read actual scientific research rather than ‘choice’ talking points from Howie Rich, you would know that the whole private school and charter school supremacy arguments are just lies.
But, since you worked for Mark Sanford, I’m sure that’s all you understand.
At risk children in Connecticut outperform at risk children in Florida and Connecticut school children outperform Florida School Children on the SAT, ACT and NAEP. Connecticut has no voucher, tax credit, or scholarship programs. So what’s your point? Isn’t this proof that students in states without vouchers and tax credits outperform student in states with vouchers and tax credits. Certainly it is as much proof as you have to the contrary.
Give it up. No one really believes there is anything behind this voucher/tax credit scam, other than getting money into the hands of private school parents at the expense of everyone else.
That seems to be the most popular answer as to why a child is failing in schools………put them on medication then all will be ROBOTS solving all those pesty problems that nobody wants to deal with……such as teach!!
*Spots something shiny and walks away from keyboard*
I spent 20 minutes composing a response. I said screw it, I’ve wasted enough time on shills like FITS and fools like Rich and Co.
ADHD is 30 count 30mg combo-amphetamine for 20 bucks.
The PARENTS are taking the pills, people!
The ADHD label is overused now. It describes every child that isn’t hyper-obedient to many a grumpy teacher, which is why boys are disproportionately charged as being such.
Schools feature:
Cinderblock Walls
Tile floors
Tightly regulated schedules for their students
Little toleration of those that can’t conform
Officers on staff to assure compliance
Jails feature:
All of the above
Many of the more intelligent children are diagnosed with ADHD. They challenge teachers and meds are often recommended to keep them in check. ADHD is diagnosed way too much IMO. Some people think that kids need to be managed and average… nothing more, nothing less. Not just public schools either.
You hit the nail on the head with that posting. The meds are used for control not student improvement.
You deserve an original vinyl LP of Dark Side for this post
“HOW CAN YOU HAVE ANY PUDDING IF YOU DON’T EAT YOUR MEAT?”
Keep the kids drugged up and you won’t have to work so hard to keep them under control!
Fits hates socialism, unless he’s the one getting the moolah.
Adult on-set ADD is the biggest scam going. Let’s just call it what it is…My life is busy, so give me some speed.
Where did you get your Medical Degree?
I’ve seen some of these “diagnosed” kids and the medication is worse than the diagnosis. ADHD is over diagnosed; kids are over medicated, as are their parents. People keep trying to replace common sense and discipline with drugs. “Louise the Loser”, the drug dealer on the corner, has got nothing on MDs.
A major factor in ADHD behavior in kids is insufficient sleep. This can result from sinus problems related to allergies, tonsils and adenoids that need to be removed (snoring is a major symptom) or parents so lacking in child development skills, they don’t know how much sleep their kids need and/or make no attempt to keep them on any sleep schedule, etc.
Another condition that mimics ADHD in kids is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder…from physical/sexual abuse and/or neglect. By putting these kids on meds and not providing the talking therapy that they need, the condition persists. That’s one of the reasons that the friendly family doctor handing out meds based on reports from parents and/or school may actually make the situation worse.
There’s no such thing as ADHD, it’s just kids who have parents who can’t control their kids. How many kids back in the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s were being pumped full of drugs because they couldn’t sit still?
I bet if the government quit providing financial rewards for people who’s children were diagnosed as being ADHD that there would be a whole lot less of government money being sent to the FSA (Free Shit Army).
Excuse me, what financial rewards?
Didn’t you know?. You get $100,000 for every kid you have who is diagnosed with ADHD. That is why we have such a huge deficit. Well, that and the money we pay to the PBS. Just ask Fox and the GOP they will tell you all about it.
I’m sure they would, while holding a concerned facial countenance. Bless their hearts.
Jan and SCBlueWoman:
Get a room, already.
Where did you get your Medical Degree, Doc.?
I always thought it was strange that Will/Howie always posts saying my tax dollars should go support whatever white christian school. I have no kids, shouldn’t you be a arguing that I shouldn’t be paying any taxes to send someone else kid to a white christian school?
ADHD, I’m sure it’s there and I’m also sure some that are diagnosed needed a parent to be a parent. Don’t believe in beating kids but sometimes you need to get their attention and it starts early in life.
Sic(k) willie,
“…you ignorant slut.” :)
You know nothing about ADHD and even less about public education in S.C.
All you know is what Howie the Voucher Clown tells you to puke up to the readers of this sad little porn site.
What a voucher pimp.
Selling out SC children for Howie the Carpet-bugger’s voucher scam.
…you ignorant slut.
“…hopping from bed to bed with the frequency of a cheap ham radio…”
If a child does not perform like a robot in school then said child has ADHD and needs to be put on medication immediately……..not all children learn at the same level so schools need to remember this.
ADHD IS a fraudulent diagnosis.If your kid is excitable,give him/her a cup of coffee in the morning;it’s cheaper and as effective as Ritalin,and parents won’t me stealing their kids’ meds.Ritalin has a paradoxical effect on adults…