Teaching in Africa has been one of the most rewarding experiences I've had during my 25+ years' in the home-school, private and public school 'classroom'. However, I have had the honor to sit with, laugh with, eat with, cry with and impart knowledge to young people from just about every walk of life.

And here's what I've learned: Children do not need to be drugged up to learn. All the labels we use in the educational field to describe hyperactive children and the methods administered to curb it unto hypoactivity has dimmed their cognitive light almost to the point of completely blowing it out.

Here are some facts about the drugs parents may be convinced to force into the bloodstream of their children who are labeled ADHD:

In 2026, medications for hyperactive children, primarily those diagnosed with ADHD, continue to be categorized into two main groups: stimulants and non-stimulants. These drugs function by adjusting brain chemicals to help children manage symptoms such as fidgeting, impulsivity, and inattention in the classroom. 

1. Stimulant Medications

Stimulants are the most common first-line treatment for ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) in children. ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition where the brain works differently, affecting how a person controls their attention, manages impulses, and regulates activity levels. While it is most commonly diagnosed in childhood, it is a life-long condition that persists into adulthood for many.  They work rapidly, often within 30 to 90 minutes, by increasing levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain's prefrontal cortex.

Methylphenidate-based Drugs:

o    Names: Ritalin (short-acting), Concerta (long-acting), Focalin, and Daytrana (skin patch).

o    Function: Blocks the reuptake of dopamine and norepinephrine, allowing these chemicals to stay active longer in the brain. This helps children stay alert, listen better, and reduce off-task behaviors.

Amphetamine-based Drugs:

o    Names: Adderall, Vyvanse, Dexedrine, and Evekeo.

o    Function: Similar to methylphenidate but more potent; they both block reuptake and stimulate the actual release of more dopamine. This increases the "reward" feeling of a task, helping children stay seated and finish challenging or tedious schoolwork. 

2. Non-Stimulant Medications

Non-stimulants are typically prescribed if a child does not tolerate stimulants well or if stimulants are ineffective. They are not controlled substances and take longer (often several weeks) to achieve full effect. 

Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors:

o    Names: Atomoxetine (generic for Strattera) and Qelbree (viloxazine).

o    Function: Specifically targets norepinephrine to improve attention span and impulse control. They are often used to manage symptoms over a full 24-hour period.

Alpha-2 Adrenergic Agonists:

o    Names: Guanfacine (Intuniv) and Clonidine (Kapvay).

o    Function: Originally developed for high blood pressure, these "quiet" nerve signals in the brain. They are particularly useful for reducing extreme hyperactivity, aggression, and emotional dysregulation.

Summary of Classroom Functions

It is believed that medication helps hyperactive children function more effectively in school by: 

1. Improving Focus: Helping children ignore distractions and pay closer attention to teachers.

2. Reducing Hyperactivity: Decreasing physical fidgeting and the need to move around the classroom.

3. Controlling Impulsivity: Helping children wait their turn and think before they act.

4. Increasing Task Persistence: Making academic tasks feel more rewarding so children can finish assignments.

In my motherland, especially in the rural villages, the way to "cure" hyperactivity in our learners is to dance with them, sing with them, and play, play, play! That's right. The teacher must get more actively engaged with such learners keeping them busy with educational games, kinesthetic lessons, creative arts projects (mostly packed with crayons, paints, non-toxic glue , , . any child-friendly materials) and mind-blowing science experiments!

It doesn't cost anything to re-design a lesson plan to meet the needs of all the learners in your classroom. It does take much time, effort, and concentrated thinking on how to achieve the lesson's objective(s) in ways that often do not fit into that perfect "status quo" curricular "box". So, let's step outside that box and create new curricula which incorporates children who learn in various unique ways. Yes, in this blog, we shall do it together.

No more drugs, please. Let's take the challenge, parents, teachers, educational administrators, to build new educational paradigms that help all children look up and grasp their cognitive and artistic light.

#promoting #smartsales #shop