This is Eric Glass.

In Lily's family, there's a story everybody knows by heart.

If this story had never happened...

All of us wouldn't be here right now.

Sammy wouldn't be here?

She's Nana wouldn't be here.

Wally wouldn't be here.

Anyone that we know wouldn't be here.

So what happens when Lily's mom tells her, this story is not true?

This American life, surprising stories, not true. This American life is rising stories every week.

This is fresh air.

I'm Dave Davies.

If you live in the United States, chances are good that you either are or know a parent whose child is being treated for ADHD, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Last year, the Centers for Disease Control reported that more than 11% of American children had been diagnosed with ADHD, a record high. For 14-year-old boys, the figure was 21%.

In a recent article for the New York Times magazine, journalist Paul Tuff examines how ADHD is

diagnosed and treated, often with commonly prescribed stimulants, such as ritalin and

Adderall, though they're regarded as highly effective and thus very popular. He finds three

decades of scientific studies have raised questions about their efficacy and safety

and about the nature of ADHD itself. Some researchers think the notion that ADHD is a distinct

identifiable brain disorder may be wrong, or at least oversimplified, and the treatments

other than medication should be considered.

Paul Tuff is a contributing writer to the New York Times Magazine and the author of four books,

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