tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7789515854942440667.post5058394501378855604..comments2009-03-18T14:38:42.233-05:00CHADD CEOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03283319351468904913noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7789515854942440667.post-9147948800732822782008-01-04T14:33:00.000-05:002008-01-04T14:33:00.000-05:00I agree that the adult consumer perspective is important and that the perspective of parents and other caregivers is important. I disagree that "Soliciting and respecting the views of teens and adolescents is a gray area." To solicit and respect their views is critically important, whether or not those views are shared by the parents.<BR/><BR/>It's important for a number of reasons. First, the teen/adolescent is at "ground zero": he/she knows better than any of us what he/she is experiencing, feeling, and thinking. The teen may not always be in the best position to make decisions regarding those issues, but for us (and health care professionals and others) to make intelligent, informed decisions, we need to know what the teen is thinking, experiencing, and feeling.<BR/><BR/>Second, it makes for a better parent/child relationship if the child knows and understands that he/she is being listened to.<BR/><BR/>Yes, it's up to the parents to make the decisions. But if I'm going to listen to medical "professionals," educators (many of whom have had little or no experience with ADHD or any aspect of special education), health insurance companies (Ha! Do we really want to suggest that they have a clue?), legislators (who typically respond to the squeakiest wheels and biggest campaign contributions), and others, I think we have an absolute obligation to solicit and respect the views of teens and adolescents.<BR/><BR/>Don Tepper<BR/>Past Coordinator, CHADD of Northern VirginiaWordsmthnoreply@blogger.com