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Hi Rena, There are entire groups of individuals who collectively advocate for the treatment of Schizophrenia without the use of 'drugs'.  That sort of thinking had it's inception in the early 1950's much to the chagrin of a great many mental health workers.  There are, as you likely know, a multiplicity of factors that determine not only whether medication will be prescribed for a particular individual suffering from mental illness but also what dose the doctor feels will have a positive effect. Also,  it's most unlikely that a doctor will prescribe a drug without also outlining a much broader treatment program that includes psychotherapy.  I can only speak personally when I say - it's the very rarest of instances where I've seen anyone with properly diagnosed case of schizophrenia improve at all without the addition of medication being added to their treatment regimen. I would also wonder why your ex-husband (unless he has some serious training in psychiatry and/or psychology and/or social work) would be advocating a treatment process that is known to be frought with problems.  It's very simplistic to render a rather 'glib' argument about the amount of money pharmaceutical companies make on drug production for mental illness; however, the same argument would be viable for drug production to treat cancers or other serious illnesses.  Yet, you certainly don't hear nearly the number of people who are holistically inclined suggesting that cancer sufferers simply change their diets or add certain vitamins to their diet in order to achieve a curative effect.  As said by the previous individual - I'd definitely proceed with extreme caution and if it's more comforting you might seek out a second opinion from another professional vis-a-vis the efficacy of drug treatment for your child.  Good luck.