No I didnt. =)

It isn't against the law for them to WANT your child medicated, it is against the law for them to SUGGEST, or hint your child be medicated.
I did know about this. Sad more people don't though, also sad that so many people medicate their kids, just to make them easier to manage...what's wrong with this picture??
And for the second part, yes, I have had experience, the school walked that danger line with me about my now 9yo son, they thought he was ADD and ADHD. Turns out, he was just too smart for his own britches, bored in school, and a little BAD. ;)

Did you know that they are also not allowed to require a social security number for your child to be enrolled? They will even lie and say it is required, but it isn't, it just makes their paperwork easier, as if they don't have one, they have to assign a random number to your child, making more work for them.
But don't get me started on schools! ;) Talk about a love/hate relationship!

WENDY - the school can't label your child ADD/ADHD, only a Dr can. Stand your ground, he is probably just a normal, rambuntious boy...he's a BOY! If they suggest it, ask your pediatrician, he can quiet your fears, and you can tell the school he is not, with confidence. Also, if they suggest meds, politely inform them of the law..they should quickly back off.

i hope that if a teacher has serious concerns about one of my children's behavior, education, or general well-being, that they will bring it up with me. if they feel it's worth discussing with a pediatrician, psychiatrist, or school counsellor, i hope they'll mention that, as well. but i would then expect them to leave to me the decision whether to pursue those avenues. yes, i did know about the law, and i agree i would *never* want a teacher saying they think a child should be medicated. even kids who do have adhd or add don't necessarily require medications. that is a decision for the parents and a medical professional. not a teacher. once a teacher mentions that they think some kid needs meds, not only might they be wrong, but there is also the potential sense on the part of the parents (right or wrong) that the teacher will penalize their child if the parents don't follow that suggestion. so hurray for the law. which is not the same as saying that it never happens that meds can benefit a kid. just that the teacher should not be the one raising that.

Didn't know about but wish I had years ago when my son was in 1st grade and his teacher kept calling my home wanting to know when I was going to start him on ritalin. She was just convinced he was ADHD.

I never did put him on meds and told her to quit calling me, made it clear I was not medicating my child just because she wanted to be a lazy ass teacher.

The calls stopped and she got the picture.

About 3 years later (after extensive testing) we learned my son was not ADHD and never was ADHD. He has ODD and I was told they do not medicate kids with ODD.

So thank God I listened to my own good sense instead of that teacher! If I had just listened to her he would have been on a medication that wasn't needed!

Yes, I do know of this law. It's a federal law, not state or local. The school/teacher should not mention medication to you or suggest that you place your child on it. They may suggest that because of difficulties a child is experiencing or behaviors exhibited in class that the parent/guardian see a medical professional to rule out physical causes. For example, "I notice that even when I work with ____ in a small group of three students, that he/she is unable to focus for more than a few minutes at a time. This lack of focus is causing him/her to fall behind in class. Perhaps you could consult with your doctor to rule out any physical causes, then we can continue on from there to see how we might best help _____ be more successful." A school/teacher should never try to push you to medicate your child if you do not wish to do so. But the school will need you to work with them so that the child does learn to focus. It's difficult and takes teamwork. It's a lot of work for both teachers and parents/guardians. Follow through at home is essential.

The schools wanted my kid medicated for ADHD, but, luckily, before I went to the appointment, I googled laws and kids with ADHD, and found that law. I printed it out and showed it to the principal and teacher, and boy! did that send them packing. We eventually did begin to medicate him, but I'm gald that it was a choice born from careful thought, not from being pressured into it.

I did not! My father is a lawyer and just contacted him as I read the question, he said yes this may be a strange law, but he has seen the case thousands of times!

I have been put in that same position with one of my children. But now I know I do not have to go with the schools wishes.

Thank you for informing me!
~Gabbie

Yes, while a school should never mention medication. It is the parents responsiblity to have their child properly diagnosed and then decided if medication is a alternative. I think it is dumb for parents to rule it out with out trying. If your child can't focus in school then whats the point of them being there? Some medications help kids focus and have the ability to learn and retain information. Now is that a bad thing?