You know, it bothers me quite a bit when people who are fully aware that these are topics they haven't studied, and are only musing based on first principles, feel comfortable implying that other people are drugging their kids unnecessarily. Can you explain to me why you think it's appropriate to do so?

As it happens, people have tried experimental educational settings for children diagnosed with ADHD, in which sitting still is not required and there are lots of chances for exercise. It makes school more pleasant, but it doesn't mitigate the disabling effects of the illness. It certainly doesn't result in increased school performance.

Furthermore, untreated ADHD is not benign. It's associated with high risk of school failure, drug and alcohol abuse, serious conduct problems including criminality, social rejection by one's peers, depression, and family conflicts. ADHD is not a problem that vanishes if people wink and say that "boys will be boys." Some kids do grow out of it, true; others experience lifelong failures at work and at home if they don't receive help.

Finally, do you have any idea about how commonly behavioral therapy vs. drugs are used to treat autism, or does it just sound good to you to imply that people use drugs too much?

Man. This is the last thing I expected to see on this thread.