Societal inconsistencies
David and Bonnie Altman
Have any of you ever noticed that in our culture, we read novels about
interesting, exciting characters that are usually what one would call type
A or ADHD, such as Anne of Green Gables, Tom Sawyer, the Lila Fenwick
series, yet our society squelches and damages our real Anne Shirleys, Tom
Sawyers and Lila Fenwicks and Ramonas?
Why is it that these "interesting" kids are only allowed to exist on the
pages of a story book? Why is society bent on dumbing down the rest of
them?
Bonnie
interesting, exciting characters that are usually what one would call type
A or ADHD, such as Anne of Green Gables, Tom Sawyer, the Lila Fenwick
series, yet our society squelches and damages our real Anne Shirleys, Tom
Sawyers and Lila Fenwicks and Ramonas?
Why is it that these "interesting" kids are only allowed to exist on the
pages of a story book? Why is society bent on dumbing down the rest of
them?
Bonnie
Betsy
**
Have any of you ever noticed that in our culture, we read novels about
interesting, exciting characters that are usually what one would call
type A or ADHD, such as Anne of Green Gables, Tom Sawyer, the Lila
Fenwick
series, yet our society squelches and damages our real Anne Shirleys,
Tom Sawyers and Lila Fenwicks and Ramonas?**
I was just reading "Talking Back to Ritalin" yesterday and really
enjoying it. There was a specific mention that Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn
would undoubtedly be on Ritalin if they were in public schools today.
I thought the book was fascinating, in discussing how drug companies
promoted Ritalin, in light of the very similar story about how female
hormones were promoted. Lots of publicity for "benefits" even if the
scientific proof of the evidence was not strong. Very little coverage
of side effects.
The author of Talking Back to Ritalin suggests that kids who can't
attend to boring lessons need better schooling, and he recommends
homeschooling as an option.
Betsy
Have any of you ever noticed that in our culture, we read novels about
interesting, exciting characters that are usually what one would call
type A or ADHD, such as Anne of Green Gables, Tom Sawyer, the Lila
Fenwick
series, yet our society squelches and damages our real Anne Shirleys,
Tom Sawyers and Lila Fenwicks and Ramonas?**
I was just reading "Talking Back to Ritalin" yesterday and really
enjoying it. There was a specific mention that Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn
would undoubtedly be on Ritalin if they were in public schools today.
I thought the book was fascinating, in discussing how drug companies
promoted Ritalin, in light of the very similar story about how female
hormones were promoted. Lots of publicity for "benefits" even if the
scientific proof of the evidence was not strong. Very little coverage
of side effects.
The author of Talking Back to Ritalin suggests that kids who can't
attend to boring lessons need better schooling, and he recommends
homeschooling as an option.
Betsy
N.McV.
As an adult with ADD, I must respond to this. I've never read anything with Lila Fenwick, but Anne, Tom, and Ramona do not present characteristics symptomatic of ADD.
I refuse to allow the uneducated beliefs of schoolteachers to define any neurological condition. Just because they label any nonconforming child "ADD" does not make it so.
David and Bonnie Altman <altman@...> wrote: Have any of you ever noticed that in our culture, we read novels about
interesting, exciting characters that are usually what one would call type
A or ADHD, such as Anne of Green Gables, Tom Sawyer, the Lila Fenwick
series, yet our society squelches and damages our real Anne Shirleys, Tom
Sawyers and Lila Fenwicks and Ramonas?
---------------------------------
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
I refuse to allow the uneducated beliefs of schoolteachers to define any neurological condition. Just because they label any nonconforming child "ADD" does not make it so.
David and Bonnie Altman <altman@...> wrote: Have any of you ever noticed that in our culture, we read novels about
interesting, exciting characters that are usually what one would call type
A or ADHD, such as Anne of Green Gables, Tom Sawyer, the Lila Fenwick
series, yet our society squelches and damages our real Anne Shirleys, Tom
Sawyers and Lila Fenwicks and Ramonas?
---------------------------------
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
David and Bonnie Altman
As an adult with ADD who works with ADD people who wants to prove that ADD
is NORMAL (Read Thom Hartmann's books) I think Tom, Anne, Ramona, and Lila
are perfect examples. I do not subscribe to the idea that ADD is a
disease. ADD is normal. The fact is that we have allowed others to
convince us that we are abnormal.
Bonnie
-----Original Message-----
From: N.McV. [SMTP:nmcvick@...]
Sent: Tuesday, July 16, 2002 12:50 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [Unschooling-dotcom] Societal inconsistencies
<< File: ATT00075.html >>
is NORMAL (Read Thom Hartmann's books) I think Tom, Anne, Ramona, and Lila
are perfect examples. I do not subscribe to the idea that ADD is a
disease. ADD is normal. The fact is that we have allowed others to
convince us that we are abnormal.
Bonnie
-----Original Message-----
From: N.McV. [SMTP:nmcvick@...]
Sent: Tuesday, July 16, 2002 12:50 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [Unschooling-dotcom] Societal inconsistencies
<< File: ATT00075.html >>
LLindsey
as yet another adult with ADD.. it IS normal.. one of many configurations of normal.. i think brains all work differently.. but the so-called ADD brain creates behavior that doesn't fit the environment created by brains that are accepted as "normal" by many--alas the ones in charge of so much of our society
as i read somewhere and my son (15 and ADD) and i like to say.. those who are not ADD are simply the "Multiple Thought Impaired"
Linda LL
as i read somewhere and my son (15 and ADD) and i like to say.. those who are not ADD are simply the "Multiple Thought Impaired"
Linda LL
----- Original Message -----
From: David and Bonnie Altman
To: '[email protected]'
Sent: Tuesday, July 16, 2002 4:02 PM
Subject: RE: [Unschooling-dotcom] Societal inconsistencies
As an adult with ADD who works with ADD people who wants to prove that ADD
is NORMAL (Read Thom Hartmann's books) I think Tom, Anne, Ramona, and Lila
are perfect examples. I do not subscribe to the idea that ADD is a
disease. ADD is normal. The fact is that we have allowed others to
convince us that we are abnormal.
Bonnie
-----Original Message-----
From: N.McV. [SMTP:nmcvick@...]
Sent: Tuesday, July 16, 2002 12:50 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [Unschooling-dotcom] Societal inconsistencies
<< File: ATT00075.html >>
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
David and Bonnie Altman
Unfortunately, we chose to homeschool our son because we were left in the
middle of the year with no choice. Fortunately, he and I get along
handsomely, and have benefited except for the fact that I was forced to
resign from my job when he was expelled.
As I had to argue with Social Security lately about supplementary income, I
stated the following.
To whom it may concern,
I agree with you that ADHD in of itself should not be a disabling
condition, however, you should not close this case without taking the
following into account.
The school district funded by our government decided my kid is "special".
The school decided he needed to be in a "special" classroom and receive
"special" services.
The school then failed to deliver the "special" services in a timely
manner.
The other children now verbally abuse him because he is "special".
Teachers branded him bad because he is "special".
He does not have the grades to participate in school mandated extra
curricular activities because he is "special".
Other parents don't want my son near their children because he is
"special".
He now behaves extra "special", and the school expelled him because his
behavior was too "special".
We are now homeschooling him because he is "special" (the school district
refused to provide services outside of school).
So, we now need "special" money to take care of our "special" son.
Bonnie
-----Original Message-----
From: LLindsey [SMTP:llindsey@...]
Sent: Tuesday, July 16, 2002 4:29 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [Unschooling-dotcom] Societal inconsistencies
<< File: ATT00083.html >>
middle of the year with no choice. Fortunately, he and I get along
handsomely, and have benefited except for the fact that I was forced to
resign from my job when he was expelled.
As I had to argue with Social Security lately about supplementary income, I
stated the following.
To whom it may concern,
I agree with you that ADHD in of itself should not be a disabling
condition, however, you should not close this case without taking the
following into account.
The school district funded by our government decided my kid is "special".
The school decided he needed to be in a "special" classroom and receive
"special" services.
The school then failed to deliver the "special" services in a timely
manner.
The other children now verbally abuse him because he is "special".
Teachers branded him bad because he is "special".
He does not have the grades to participate in school mandated extra
curricular activities because he is "special".
Other parents don't want my son near their children because he is
"special".
He now behaves extra "special", and the school expelled him because his
behavior was too "special".
We are now homeschooling him because he is "special" (the school district
refused to provide services outside of school).
So, we now need "special" money to take care of our "special" son.
Bonnie
-----Original Message-----
From: LLindsey [SMTP:llindsey@...]
Sent: Tuesday, July 16, 2002 4:29 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [Unschooling-dotcom] Societal inconsistencies
<< File: ATT00083.html >>
LLindsey
VERY good Bonnie.. i love it.. so so true..
and i'm sure your 'special' son really is SPECIAL.. and will end up an extraordinary adult.
Linda LL
and i'm sure your 'special' son really is SPECIAL.. and will end up an extraordinary adult.
Linda LL
----- Original Message -----
From: David and Bonnie Altman
To: '[email protected]'
Sent: Tuesday, July 16, 2002 5:09 PM
Subject: RE: [Unschooling-dotcom] Societal inconsistencies
Unfortunately, we chose to homeschool our son because we were left in the
middle of the year with no choice. Fortunately, he and I get along
handsomely, and have benefited except for the fact that I was forced to
resign from my job when he was expelled.
As I had to argue with Social Security lately about supplementary income, I
stated the following.
To whom it may concern,
I agree with you that ADHD in of itself should not be a disabling
condition, however, you should not close this case without taking the
following into account.
The school district funded by our government decided my kid is "special".
The school decided he needed to be in a "special" classroom and receive
"special" services.
The school then failed to deliver the "special" services in a timely
manner.
The other children now verbally abuse him because he is "special".
Teachers branded him bad because he is "special".
He does not have the grades to participate in school mandated extra
curricular activities because he is "special".
Other parents don't want my son near their children because he is
"special".
He now behaves extra "special", and the school expelled him because his
behavior was too "special".
We are now homeschooling him because he is "special" (the school district
refused to provide services outside of school).
So, we now need "special" money to take care of our "special" son.
Bonnie
-----Original Message-----
From: LLindsey [SMTP:llindsey@...]
Sent: Tuesday, July 16, 2002 4:29 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [Unschooling-dotcom] Societal inconsistencies
<< File: ATT00083.html >>
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Luz Shosie and Ned Vare
on 7/16/02 5:01 PM, [email protected] at
[email protected] wrote:
many questions, do as their told by "the experts," buy what they're told, do
meaningless or destructive work (and *play*) without complaining, are
predictable and easy to control & even think they're defective and *need* to
be controlled and told what to do....
The host of our web site is Born To Explore, by a homeschooling mom whose
kid was diagnosed as ADHD. Lots of good info on alternatives.
http://www.borntoexplore.org
Luz
[email protected] wrote:
> Message: 15Because dumbed down people are dependent, don't rock the boat, don't ask too
> Date: Tue, 16 Jul 2002 11:09:25 -0500
> From: David and Bonnie Altman <altman@...>
> Subject: Societal inconsistencies
>
> Have any of you ever noticed that in our culture, we read novels about
> interesting, exciting characters that are usually what one would call type
> A or ADHD, such as Anne of Green Gables, Tom Sawyer, the Lila Fenwick
> series, yet our society squelches and damages our real Anne Shirleys, Tom
> Sawyers and Lila Fenwicks and Ramonas?
>
> Why is it that these "interesting" kids are only allowed to exist on the
> pages of a story book? Why is society bent on dumbing down the rest of
> them?
>
> Bonnie
>
many questions, do as their told by "the experts," buy what they're told, do
meaningless or destructive work (and *play*) without complaining, are
predictable and easy to control & even think they're defective and *need* to
be controlled and told what to do....
The host of our web site is Born To Explore, by a homeschooling mom whose
kid was diagnosed as ADHD. Lots of good info on alternatives.
http://www.borntoexplore.org
Luz
N.McV.
Please note that I didn't use the word "abnormal". That's your word choice.
I have read Hartman's writings. His portrait of ADD as "Hunter" is a first step toward acknowledgement of positive aspects of atypical neurological conditions. Unfortunately, most of us out here in the real world don't fit into Hartman's paradigm any more than we fit into those offered by a regimented conformist society.
I see those fictional characters as having many qualities, including being highly imaginative, daring, curious, outspoken, unrestrained, exuberant.
But I don't see ADD in them. ADD is not a personality type.
David and Bonnie Altman <altman@...> wrote: As an adult with ADD who works with ADD people who wants to prove that ADD
is NORMAL (Read Thom Hartmann's books) I think Tom, Anne, Ramona, and Lila
are perfect examples. I do not subscribe to the idea that ADD is a
disease. ADD is normal. The fact is that we have allowed others to
convince us that we are abnormal.
Bonnie
---------------------------------
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
I have read Hartman's writings. His portrait of ADD as "Hunter" is a first step toward acknowledgement of positive aspects of atypical neurological conditions. Unfortunately, most of us out here in the real world don't fit into Hartman's paradigm any more than we fit into those offered by a regimented conformist society.
I see those fictional characters as having many qualities, including being highly imaginative, daring, curious, outspoken, unrestrained, exuberant.
But I don't see ADD in them. ADD is not a personality type.
David and Bonnie Altman <altman@...> wrote: As an adult with ADD who works with ADD people who wants to prove that ADD
is NORMAL (Read Thom Hartmann's books) I think Tom, Anne, Ramona, and Lila
are perfect examples. I do not subscribe to the idea that ADD is a
disease. ADD is normal. The fact is that we have allowed others to
convince us that we are abnormal.
Bonnie
---------------------------------
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]