Well....if the children are truly schizophrenic or psychotic - which IS POSSIBLE at a young age - then these medications are not only okay, but necessary. How many recent tragedies have been caused by schizophrenic 17 or 18 year olds??!! Failing to treat them is just as much of an abuse as over-medicating would be.

That said, I do think it's a stretch to be using such potent medications for ADHD or Autism in children so young.

But in defense of the parents - both those conditions can be very hard to deal with, and they may simply be asking the doctors for help - not really realizing what the doctor is telling them to do. Some people just put a lot of faith in the doctors and do whatever they say.

I just hope the long-term effects don't harm those kids forever!