ABSTRACT
This chapter looks at one of the more common “mental disorders of childhood,” so-called attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Martin Whitely, PhD, is a mental health advocate, researcher, and former teacher and politician. Much of Martin’s focus during his 12 years as a Member of the Western Australian Parliament went into tackling what he terms the ADHD Industry. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is the new way to label American Indian children as “feebleminded.” Tuning out and misbehaving in relation to the stultifying, manualized, test-anxiety-ridden public education system is entirely understandable, and that’s where ADHD kids are often first “detected.” The ADHD industry has been incredibly successful because they have reversed the burden of proof. ADHD, continues a process that “feeblemindedness” began. This process was so effective by the late 1960s that surveys of emerging teachers revealed the vast majority were reluctant to teach American Indian kids.
