The Medicalization of Americas Schools : Challenging the Concept of Educational Disabilities

This book challenges the validity of ADHD, learning disabilities, and dyslexia as meaningful special education "categories" and critically examines the misplaced medical model from which they are derived. The presumption that these disabilities cause school-related problems detracts from identifying factors within the classroom that create and maintain a childs underachievement and disruptive behavior. Moreover, when the disability is finally named, it provides no functional information that translates into effective coping strategies. Macht delves into the misunderstood structure of these disabilities, pointing out that they are not verifiable disabilities but weak constructs that poorly describe each childs uniqueness. Finally, he provides an alternative model based on childrens strengths rather than their deficiencies, and presents strategies that advance school-related success.