In 1990, 600,000 American children were diagnosed with ADHD. Today? 13 million—a 2,000% increase. The shocking truth? There’s no biological test for ADHD, and the criteria are so subjective that any active child can be labeled. Meanwhile, stimulant prescriptions have created a $25 billion industry while permanently altering kids’ brains.

The ADHD Diagnosis Scam

How It Works:

- Teacher Complaints (often about normal behavior)

- 20-Minute Pediatric Visit (no neurological testing)

- Immediate Prescription (Ritalin, Adderall, etc.)

The Dirty Secret?

• ADHD symptoms mirror giftedness traits (87% overlap)

• Studies show youngest kids in class are 2x more likely to be diagnosed

• Fidgeting and daydreaming are normal childhood behaviors—not disorders

"We’re pathologizing boyhood and medicating curiosity." — Dr. Peter Breggin

5 Ways Stimulants Harm Children

1. Stunted Growth Kids on ADHD meds are 1-2 inches shorter as adults

2. Addiction Risk Stimulants rewire the brain’s reward system 1 in 4 college students abuse ADHD drugs

3. Emotional Blunting Children describe feeling "like a zombie" Long-term users show reduced creativity

4. Heart Damage Even healthy kids experience elevated blood pressure

5. Misdiagnosis Trap Many "ADHD" cases are actually: ✔ Sleep apnea ✔ Food sensitivities ✔ Trauma responses

The School-Pharma Money Pipeline

1. Teacher Kickbacks

• Schools receive extra funding for every ADHD diagnosis

2. Pharma "Education"

• Drug companies fund teacher training programs that push medication

3. Parent Coercion

• Many schools threaten expulsion unless kids are medicated

Natural Alternatives That Work

1. Movement Breaks

• 5 minutes of exercise doubles focus for 1 hour

2. Omega-3s

• EPA/DHA reduces symptoms as effectively as Ritalin in studies

3. Forest Schools

• Outdoor learning environments eliminate symptoms in 80% of kids

4. Delayed School Start

• Teens starting at 8:30am show 40% fewer focus issues

5. Magnesium & Zinc

• Deficiencies mimic ADHD symptoms

When Medication Might Help

Only consider if:

• Symptoms persist in all environments (not just school)

• Non-drug options have been tried for 6+ months

• There’s clear functional impairment (not just annoyance to adults)

Final Thought:"Children haven’t changed—our expectations have. Instead of doping kids to fit broken systems, maybe we should fix the systems."