Medication may well be what your child needs to control his or her behavior, but maybe it is not the only nor the best solution. I doubt it. Other states' data indicate a similar pattern. It is true that Ritalin may seem to help a large number of youngsters, but it does not fix their real problems, which typically involve organization, curriculum, study skills, discipline, and parental supervision. That's the real bitter pill to swallow, but for the sake of our boys, we had better do it.
Rested children are more ready to obey and to learn.
Examine your family's nutritional patterns. Additives, fats, fast foods, and a deficit of key nutrients can interfere with thinking and learning. Large-group daycare may not be the best choice for active boys. Instead, consider a family or home situation with fewer children, so that your active child can be adequately supervised and his or her routine followed. Consider limiting or eliminating television viewing.