lots of ‘doctor knocking’ going on here, I agree that our society wants the quick fix solution…….that goes equally as much for the parent/patient as it does for the doctor. the doctor may feel under pressure (and feel that is is a good solution) to prescribe a treatment with a known, proven record, rather than tell the parent to take weeks or months to try eliminating ‘this’ from the diet and then ‘that’, and then something else – which may ultimately prove fruitless in many cases. even organic, home prepared ‘pure’ food can cause a reaction in some people, so it’s not just a simple case of cutting out food colouring and additives. I also note that you mention aspartame………there is a lot of nonsense talked about aspartame, especially since a hoax e-mail started popping up a couple of years ago………it all sounded *very* convincing citing (supposed) medical research and (invented) societies with grand titles. I am not saying that aspartame NEVER causes problems!! I just note that a lot of people are overly cautious about it’s use, with no need, and are quick to blame it for any problems. There is a well known medical effect called the placebo effect, where people (taking a medicine) get better because they _think they are supposed_ to get better – this works even when the ‘medicine’ is nothing but sugar pills………….there is a negative corollary to this where people think that a particular substance is harmful, and feel better when this substance is removed from their diet…even though the substance has no actual effect.

It is possible. Medicade can do anything they see fit. If the mother had to provide documentation to the state, and she failed to follow through then it is a good chance the funds were terminated. Have you considered meeting with the behavioralist at the school you teach at and get some interventions in place for this child? If he is not on meds, get the physical therapist invovled and get him some sensory input, which can be very helpful for a child that is easily distracted. these things may be better for him than the medication. Medication is not always the answer!

I can’t imagine Medicaid cutting off a kid from

a medication that he clearly needs. It sounds more

like a situation where if the mother tells the child’s

doctor that he is doing better now, its possible that

the mother suggested that he may not need it anymore

or that that child’s doctor feels that he doesn’t need it

anymore. If the doctor doesn’t feel he needs it, then

Medicaid isn’t going to pay for something he doesn’t need.

It sounds like the mother may have done something wrong to have the meds stopped. have another meeting with the mother.. Maybe you can see if she is telling the truth. If there is any doubt you could contact the authorities..