In "Jack of Spades: A Tale of Suspense," Joyce Carol Oates reflects on her childhood experience regarding attention issues. She notes that the diagnosis of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) was not prevalent when she was young, and restless children were not subjected to medication. Oates expresses gratitude for this, as she believes that being medicated could have negatively influenced her developing mind.

The author raises a significant concern about the impact of administering potent drugs to young children. She is skeptical about the long-term effects of such treatments, emphasizing that no one can assert with certainty that these medications won't alter a child's brain development. Oates' caution highlights the ongoing debate surrounding mental health treatments for children.