Q: The grandmother's response below is to an earlier question about children receiving medication for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. She makes several comments that are important for parents to be aware of. Her letter follows:

READER'S LETTER

Today's parents and grandparents are wondering where they went wrong when their children grow up with addiction problems. Well, why not? I think it is because they had been given so many drugs in their formative years that they became addicted!

After attending my 7-year-old grandson's open house at his school and being told that he was not paying attention, sometimes disruptive and had poor grades, my son and daughter-in-law took him to his pediatrician who prescribed him Ritalin. His parents decided not to give him the medication. They eliminated almost his entire sugar intake, began packing his lunch for school and notified the school not to give him snacks. Within a few weeks, he became calmer, more focused, nondisruptive, and his grades improved so much that he continued through his school years in advanced classes. Sadly, too many parents cannot be bothered to make the time to work on their children's issues, choosing instead to ply them with drugs to "fix the problem." The teachers have to deal with the fallout. Thank you for sharing my letter.

A: The writer's observations are important but only partially correct. Her first conclusion that medication may lead to addiction problems is definitely not supported by any research. There is no increase in drug use or addiction for children who use prescription medication for ADHD. Therefore, parents who decide to use medication based on a psychologist's or pediatrician's recommendation are not causing their children likely harm.

In response to the second part of this grandparent's letter, many children can be helped with their attention problems by changed eating habits. Too much sugar definitely causes problems for many children. Other children may have allergies to a variety of foods that can cause ADHD-like symptoms. Attention problems are very complicated. Healthy nutrition is important for all of us. If children have continued problems after nutrition and environment are all taken into consideration, for a small percentage of children, medication is a reasonably appropriate answer. In my clinical work with children, I always try behavioral approaches first, both in the classroom and with their families. I also recommend consideration of possible allergies, as well as general good nutrition. However, if problems persist, carefully monitored medication can provide important help for some children and adults.

For free newsletters about attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and/or learning disabilities, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to the address below.

Dr. Sylvia B. Rimm is the director of the Family Achievement Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio, a clinical professor of psychiatry and pediatrics at the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, and the author of many books on parenting. More information on raising kids is available at www.sylviarimm.com. Please send questions to: Sylvia B. Rimm on Raising Kids, P.O. Box 32, Watertown, WI 53094 or srimm@sylviarimm.com. To read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.