way more than most realize.

First, there is not even a question that a child is now essentially at a disadvantage if not taking the pills (which absolutely help children focus better) and getting accommodations on things like SAT/ACT testing. It is that rampant out there. It is who your child is competing against in many places. It is not a remotely level playing field. I have younger children and I see it firsthand everywhere -- a passion issue for me to be honest (including having pediatricians in the family who are also passionate about this issue). When I was reading the other day about colleges using new algorithms to try and achieve their desired diversity, I wondered if this is taken into account at all or perhaps will be in the future. I doubt it because I assume it can be argued that all children taking pills and getting accommodations have a type of disability and it would be an improper form of discrimination to figure out this issue. Also, I don't know that it is in the "best interests" of any university to really deal with this, so it has just become a part of everything. I would be curious to hear what UVA President Ryan thinks about this issue.

I completely understand that there are children on the extreme end of a spectrum for whom treatments like this can make some sense. However, that is not remotely close to what has developed today with ADHD pills and special accommodations. I would also say yes, this is an issue that has been abused by those with more affluence as those families have more time and money (and in many cases, desire with so much emphasis on college success), but in no way is it limited to the wealthy.

And to go even further, a quick personal story --- my children swim and we have seen kids (10-12 years old, I am sure younger as well) popping ADHD pills right before meets. Absolutely documented that the pills provide other physical advantages that can only help in competitions like competitive swimming. Yes, this is essentially kids this age doping. There is absolutely zero way it could ever be policed, especially with so many kids having prescriptions for everything anyway.

It is disgusting in my opinion. There are few children in the world who couldn't (easily) walk into a doc's office and walk out with a scrip for all of this. All children have various forms of "focus" issues. I understand 100% that some are way different on the spectrum than others and that in theory, some limited treatments for some children could make sense. However, this isn't close to where we are today. Tons of kids basically on long term drugs today and getting all kinds of special treatment for testing.

There are some very good articles, books and even documentaries out there on this issue.