Rating: 
Summary: A gem that shines through mud-slinging
Review: ADD never existed until 1980. Now where had it been hiding for all those thousands of years? The author makes the point--the rather horrifying point--that Ritalin is a methamphetamine and uses the same receptors in the brain as cocaine. And we give this to children? Sell cocaine, go to prison; sell Ritalin and become rich. Hm. Her view is that ADD doesn't exist. She thinks it's generally the inability of many children to handle sugar. It raises blood sugar too fast; the body responds by producing too much insulin; blood sugar drops too low, too fast, and the body releases adrenaline to raise it. And what does adrenaline do to children? They can't sit still, or concentrate, or are impulsive. So let's give them Ritalin. No wonder people despise doctors.
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Summary: Hope for our children
Review: Anyone who has ever been told their child had ADHD or any other so-called childhood mental/learning disorder has most likely also been told that their son or daughter also needs Ritalin. Most of us instinctively realized the claim our child was "mentally ill" or suffering from a "neurobiological" learning disorder was false. Under pressure, millions of parents have agreed to put thir child on Ritalin and the long term result has always been negative.Dr. Block's book is a must read for anyone who has been told Ritalin was the answer. It offers real solutions and practical advice for anyone who believes there is a better road than using addictive, dangerous prescription drugs.
Rating:
Summary: Hope for our children
Review: Anyone who has ever been told their child had ADHD or any other so-called childhood mental/learning disorder has most likely also been told that their son or daughter also needs Ritalin. Most of us instinctively realized the claim our child was "mentally ill" or suffering from a "neurobiological" learning disorder was false. Under pressure, millions of parents have agreed to put thir child on Ritalin and the long term result has always been negative. Dr. Block's book is a must read for anyone who has been told Ritalin was the answer. It offers real solutions and practical advice for anyone who believes there is a better road than using addictive, dangerous prescription drugs.
Rating: 
Summary: Some good gems within a quarry of mud.
Review: Dr. Mary Ann Block has an ax to grind about tradition medicine and especially medication for ADHD. For the first 55 of 127 pages, she grinds this ax ad nauseam. She gives us quarter and, at best, half truths about side-effects, research studies and the sincereity of physicians, psychologists and educators. She is simply singing to the anti-ADHD and anti-medication choir, who, I'm sure, find it an operatic masterpiece. Finally she gets down to some excellent points and procedures that we all should look at when dealing with ADHD: Hypoglycemia, allergies, asthma, and learning disabilities. She gives some good checklists, especially for hypoglycemia. These things need to be ruled out before going straight to the medicine cabinet. However, she could have brought out these points in a much more positive manner than her needless diatribe.
Rating: 
Summary: Good book for it's side of the argument.
Review: I enjoyed reading this book and it helped me learn about osteopathy. At times i felt I was reading an info-mercial for osteopathy. The book also gave several other possibilites for having ADHD symptoms. It is very compelling though not super detailed. I would recommend this book to EVERY parent of a child diagnosed with ADHD. I would also highly recommend reading another book that would provide the other side of the argument
Rating:
Summary: Extremely helpful and important information!
Review: I found this book very helpful. I already was seeing a correlation between possible food sensitivities and my daughter's behavior. Dr. Block's book cemented what I had already suspected and gave me some further "food for thought". I did not find her first pages, recounting her horror story with doctors, irrelevent. As one who has also been mistreated by doctors, I understand! Plus, it gives you an idea of "who is this lady, and if she's a doctor, how is she any different?" She shows how her own experience led her to medical school to help her daughter, and now other children. Her ending words are that every parent shouldn't have to go to medical school to help his/her child! I appreciate all she shared and wished I lived closer to take my daughter to her center! But I feel she gives enough help to start you on the trail to help yourself and your child. What she shares, I don't believe, are half-truths or distorted---anyone who is considering Ritalin should read this FIRST, and those whose precious children are on it should read it as well. There IS hope! If you have doubts, ask yourself why many (if not all) ADHD diagnoses are made with NO medical examination at all? Why no consideration for learning styles? It's time for parents to take control of their children and not just hand them over (or be coerced!) to be drugged into compliance. I am already seeing improvements in my daughter, even though I've just started making changes! Great book and easy to read!
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Summary: Questionable Logic
Review: I highly suggest anyone who wishes to believe the information in this book examine her sources of evidence, statistical studies, clinical trials, and objective studies. As with most critics of stimulant therapy in ADD patients, evidence is secondary concern.
Rating:
Summary: Ridiculous comments
Review: I see many ridiculous comments here, such as: "ADD never existed until 1980. Now where had it been hiding for all those thousands of years?" There are many diseases and disorders that are not discovered and/or defined for millenia. There are also diseases/disorders that pop up for what seems to be no reason at all. AIDs wasn't heard of before the 1970s, do you doubt its existence? Of course not, because it is something tangible that you can have a concrete test for. Just because ADD/ADHD has to do with the brain, and brain chemicals does not mean that it does not exist. It is not as easy to explain and it is not as clear cut a diagnosis as many diseases, but it is nonetheless a disease.
Also, I have seen many people who say their child/children have ADD/ADHD, yet I have seen no one here who has ADD/ADHD themself. I do have ADD/ADHD. Ritalin and other medication I have taken for my ADD/ADHD has changed my life. I would not be in the same place I am now if it were not for these medications and the help of a psychiatrist. I realize medication is not for everyone, but it has a very positive, sometimes life-changing effect on others. If you have never experience ADD/ADHD or another brain chemical disorder, you are really in no place to comment on whether other people should be taking medication or not. This decision is up to every individual and every family, there is no perfect answer that fits everyone. Not Ritalin, not therapy, not anything in "No More Ritalin: Treating ADHD Without Drugs."
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Summary: Ritalin is not the only answer to ADD
Review: I was so happy to find a book that supported the idea that ADD might be managed by other methods than medication. In fact as a biofeedback therapist treating ADD I know that other methods might work better than Ritalin, I also know first hand that there are problems in using Ritalin for some. I recommend this book and it was an inspiration for me to also produce a book of natural techniques I use in my practice to help children with ADHD. The book is BEING IN CONTROL: Natural Techniques for Increasing Your Potential and Creativity for Success in School
Rating:
Summary: Finally There is Help
Review: In her book, No More Ritalin, Dr. Mary Ann Block provides a compelling look at the level that the medical profession has stooped-to treat the symptom, because it is so easy to use a drug, rather than to look for the cause of the problem. The use of Ritalin to treat the disorder, known as ADHD is called into question. In fact the very concept of ADHD is questioned, and for this reader, the question, is how can we go on treating symptoms rather than the root causes of our problems. Perhaps that is the problem that we face in the United States today-perpetually looking at symptoms versus causes. In taking a fresh look at the education process Dr. Block points out the problem that educators are trying to solve, "How do we get all of the children to fit the same mold, and learn in the same way." When challenged by a youngster, either because their learning style is different, or from nutritional or environmental factors, we jump to the ADHD label, and with the help or acquiescence of the medical community, chemically help the kids to be more submissive, though no more educated. Dr. Block discusses such factors as sugar's impact on behavior. The hypoglycemic/ adrenaline cycle, which can lead to disruptive behavior. Yet we still insist on filling out children with highly sugared cereals that starts that cycle each morning. She also examines and provides convincing evidence of the impacts of food allergies, which can and do disrupt the cognitive ability of children in learning activities. The identification of root causes and the remedies are discussed, but not how to find a physician who will look beyond the symptom and develop a holistic approach to the treatment of each child. The Ritalin excuse is still easy to use. This book is on my Must Read list for any parent who cares enough to want to really help his or her child to learn and develop without the stigma of the ADHD label, and with the God-given abilities with which each child is endowed.
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