Hey Sargob23,

Severely hyperactive children with gross motor skills are at risk for accidents. I've heard stories of toddlers scaling furniture, cabintry, and appliances to get to what interests them, such as pancake syrup in an upper cabinet in the kitchen. I've also heard stories of preschoolers climbing out of their bedroom window and crossing a busy highway to get to a playground in the middle of the night. Death, brain injuries and broken bones are legitimate concerns for parents.

Would I put a three year old on medication? Probably not. I'd try to hold off at least until age five or six by adapting my child's environment. But in defense of your parents and doctor, raising a severely hyperactive child is 24/7 job. Not all parents, particularly first time parents, have adequate information and support, particularly back then.

A excellent book that will provide some insight into what it's like to raise a bright, hyperactive child is the book ADHD & Me: What I Learned from Lighting Fires at the Dinner Table by Blake E. S. Taylor. It was written by a high school student. He discribes what his life was like growing up with ADHD.

Winnie, an adult ADD advocate