America's Most Admired Lawbreaker: Chapter 8, "Firing Blanks, Hunting for Smoking Guns"
A Weak First Case On December 14, 2006, Stephen Sheller filed his first case against Johnson & Johnson. The client was a New Jersey boy who had taken Risperdal beginning in 2001. When he had met the boy and his mother, Sheller thought the case would be about diabetes and weight gain. But then she and her son became traumatized by his growing breasts, and in August 2004, he had radical surgery to remove them. Still, the suit focused on diabetes, and the complaint Sheller wrote
America's Most Admired Lawbreaker: Chapter 7, "A Multi-Front War"
Heavy Up Top Since he had begun taking Risperdal, Austin Pledger was having fewer tantrums. The reports Benita Pledger read from her son's school reflected what she was seeing at home: "His frustration behavior has greatly," his special education teacher wrote in April 2004. But it was far from a complete turnaround. Austin would still erupt in volatile behavior, biting himself or suddenly dropping to the floor and pounding his head. Benita and Phillip continued to dote on hi
ADHD Secrets my Teacher should Know
Dear Teacher, as we prepare for another day of school together, can we pause for a moment? We have gone through my checklist, gathering everything I need for the day's subjects. But did we go through your checklist? Both of us need to feel successful. Since you have helped me understand how you want me to prepare for school, here is my checklist for you. StartFragment > DO YOU HAVE MY ATTENTION? It is hard to tell by looking at me sometimes, becuase I don't always make eye c
Why I Chose Summer Camp
Around my wrist hangs a clear pink plastic bracelet. It holds a mix of glitter and tap water, a simple and unremarkable combination that, typically, would never have been something that I would remember or treasure. This bracelet, however, is different. It was given to me by a friend of mine, a friend with short blonde hair and bright blue eyes, a friend whose shirt is usually on backwards or inside out, a friend with a contagious laugh, a mischievous smile and a tendency to
ADHD Behavior Therapy: Promoting Discipline & Focus in Kids
If your child has been diagnosed with attention deficit disorder (ADD, ADHD) chances are, your physician has discussed or prescribed ADD drugs. You may also have learned that behavioral therapy, also called behavior modification, may be helpful. As you try to figure out the best treatment for your child, bear in mind that these two therapies are not mutually exclusive options. In fact, they often work best together in solving ADHD behavior problems. This is clearly shown by t
3 Unexpected Ways to Help Your Kids be Mindful about Screen Time
Scientists may be debating whether our attachment to technology should be considered a formal addiction, but parents of school-aged children don't need to wait for academic consensus to recognize that our devices have in many ways transformed our lives and family dynamic. "It's an interesting question about whether we're addicted or just overly attached," James A. Roberts, author of the forthcoming book Too Much Of A Good Thing: Are You Addicted To Your Smartphone? told The H
Common Thanksgiving Challenges for Kids with Attention Issues
By Lexi Walters Wright, contributor for Understood.org (for learning & attention issues) As delicious a holiday as Thanksgiving is, it can be difficult for kids with attention issues like ADHD. Read about typical Turkey Day trouble spots and find out what you can do to help. Scenario #1: Interrupted Routines The problem: If your family is traveling for Thanksgiving, your child may be sleeping in a strange place and following an unfamiliar schedule. Even if you’re hosting, you