Our founder, psychotherapist, counsellor and ADHD coach Duncan E. Stafford brings you the first of our ADHD express reads series in which he highlights the fascinating connection that can be drawn between the Sputnik panic of 1957 and Methylphenidate.
(2 minute read)
From the early to mid-20th century, educators, doctors and politicians were, according to historian Matthew Smith,* more likely to be worried by shy, nervous and retiring children than those who displayed what we now consider typical ADHD characteristics – namely hyperactivity, impulsivity and inattention.
The so-called Sputnik panic of 1957 (when the Soviet Union launched its Sputnik 1 satellite into space orbit) altered views towards hyperkinetic (what we now call ADHD) children bringing concerns that the American educational system – with its progressive views and person-centred teaching methods – wasn’t facilitating children to attain as highly as their Soviet counterparts, who reportedly trained two to three times more scientists each year than the USA.
From historical writings and analysis, it seems that the post-Sputnik view of hyperactive, impulsive and inattentive children became pathologised creating an attitude of “neurological dysfunction”, in turn inviting pharmaceutical preparations such as Ritalin (Methylphenidate) as the only possible treatments for this dysfunction.
Attitudes in the UK differed to some degree, especially around medicating school-aged youngsters. Ironically, though, the progressive teaching methods probably offered some of the best options of progress and development for those we now call ADHDers. Makes you think …
Footnotes
*See Hyperactive: The Controversial History of ADHD.
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Published 24 September 2024
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