The Lion's Pride vol. 3 (Feb. 2015) | Page 115

reduce impulsiveness, and help the patient stay on task (Alvarez-McHatton). These pharmaceuticals are available only through a doctor’s prescription. As an elementary school teacher, teaching fifth grade, I had my first opportunity to compare a medicated ADHD student with a non-medicated ADHD student. The medicated student, who I will call “Bobby,” was formally diagnosed with ADHD, was on medication, and quite well-behaved and attentive. I was told his parents had tried “everything” and finally resorted to medication. He was the ideal student. He sat still, kept a stoic expression, got along with his classmates, didn’t engage in any disruptive behavior, and very submissively did everything he was asked to do. His grades ranged from average to excellent. Everything a teacher could want. In contrast, the other student, whom I will call “Other Bobby”, had not been formally diagnosed with ADHD to my knowledge, and was definitely NOT taking any medication to help him maintain self-control. He had great difficulty engaging himself in the traditional learning process, and could not keep his school materials and supplies in order. A description of his eyes would be like those of a wild animal. He had very little selfrestraint, spoke impulsively with no filter, and was generally