It is interesting to note that the study did not count mental health visits or prescription drug costs. If these had been factored in, the cost difference might have been much higher. The very child who runs out to skateboard without helmet and knee pads is actually the child who most needs these safety devices. Childproofing should extend well beyond the baby years. If your children are more likely to need emergency services, ask your child s doctor about your local emergency rooms.
Some emergency rooms are better than others at handling a young hyperactive child.
Some hospitals have separate emergency areas for children and adolescents with doctors and nurses who specialize in treating children. Some may even provide a staff member to help with an active sibling while the parent is comforting the injured child. Those who are unable get insurance should get documentation of the child s medical and psychiatric conditions and talk to their doctor about whether the child might qualify for one of the gray zone insurance programs. There have been articles debating whether Ritalin is over or under prescribed. When people ask me about this, I tell them that I can only answer for the children and adults that I have evaluated or treated.