Senator Coach Tommy Tuberville
Russell Senate Office Building
Suite 455
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Senator:

Your recent comments on ADHD (and antidepressants) are false, dangerous, and put children at risk.

There is no evidence at all that ADHD medications—or any psychiatric medications—are in any way linked to school shootings, gun violence, or any violence.

Furthermore, publicly encouraging "using a belt" on children with ADHD emboldens parents to engage in harmful disciplinary practices. Although you may not be interested in what research tells us, the evidence is clear: physical punishment does nothing to help a child with ADHD. On the contrary, it has been shown to cause lasting harm. Corporal punishment has been opposed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Psychological Association, the National Association of Secondary School Principals, the International Association of Forensic Nurses, the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, the National PTA, the American School Counselor Association, and multiple additional professional organizations.

Even if it were true—which it is not—that corporal punishment benefits children with ADHD, when a public figure endorses it, the consequences extend far beyond individual families. Such remarks embolden parents to use physical punishment in ways that often cross the line into abuse. This risk is compounded by your reference to hitting children on the buttocks with belts.

Some are able to punish children carefully and with restraint, even when using physical punishment, but many will not control themselves and will engage in acts of abuse. The reality is that countless children may suffer real and lasting harm as a result of these comments.

These remarks are reckless, ill-informed, and dangerous.

Please retract them.