Family Blames AL 9-year-old’s Suicide on Bullying, ADHD Meds

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From the New York Post: “Williams said he hopes other families can avoid such a tragedy and urged kids to tell adults when they see their peers being picked on.

‘Like they always say, “If you see something, say something,”‘ he said.

Maddie, who suffered from ADHD, had trouble with bullies at school who called her names like ‘stupid’ and ‘dumb’ because she required one-on-one coaching with teachers, her parents said. Weeks prior to her death, Maddie started a new ADHD medication, which lists possible ‘suicidal thoughts’ as a side effect.

‘The bullying plus the medicine, I think, gave her the boost to do that,’ her stepfather said.

Williams said parents should monitor their children more closely for warning signs.

‘Maybe you can see if anything is going on. Look for changes in attitude. Changes in behavior,’ he said. ‘Support them and be there for them.'”

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11 COMMENTS

  1. They forgot the third factor: school! Being grouped together with kids the same age and “assessed” and “evaluated” and compared to “norms” is the beginning of the shaming process that eventually leads to the kind of bullying she experienced. Of course, labeling her “ADHD” and giving drugs only adds insult to injury, not to mention the emotionally destructive adverse effects that some kid experience. It is hard to imagine a less effective approach, yet we continue to do the same thing, expecting different results.