Doesn't want to take his meds anymore

Nicole - posted on 11/29/2009

thank you both for your suggestions it has definatly given me a new look on things and something to think about and try. I really do appericate it, and it helps to get someone else perspective on things especially when they know what you are going through.

Shannon - posted on 11/29/2009

Ashley, thank you soo much for that. There is some great thoughts in what you wrote and I am going to check out that book.

Nicole, my son is also 7 years old and has been on meds for about 6 months. He has recently started to refuse to take his meds(Adderall sprinkles) we have tried everyhting to make this work. I fianlly broke down and we talked to his doctor. He started on a new med, Daytrana patch, it goes on his hip in the am and comes off after school. He is eager to help put this on every morning and there are no more struggles to get him to take his meds. We have found that this patch actually has been working better for him then the Adderall. Everything happens for a reason I guess. I am pretty sure sure that his refusal to take meds by mouth is a taste/texture thing for him.. I know every case is different, but I hope that this has helped some. good luck, I know the daily struggles that you are encountering.

Ashley - posted on 11/25/2009

My stepson is newly diagnosed with ADHD, so forgive me if what I'm about to suggest doesn't make much sense... I don't have a ton of experience to draw from. But, I really want to help you. So, here goes.



Based on the reading that I've been doing, your son must be cooperative with the medication in order for it to work properly. He has to like the way that it makes him feel and understand how it works. Otherwise, it isn't useful. I suggest that you sit down with him when you aren't struggling (I know how seldom that might be) and talk about his medication. Maybe he is having side effects or is being teased about it at school. Maybe it is making him feel inferior or "broken" and he wants to prove to you that he can "do it" without the medication. Maybe its a combination of these things, or something else. If you can get down to the bottom of why he feels so strongly about not taking it, maybe you can address that and get him back on board. And, it might be time to talk to his doctor about a different medication.



Secondly, I've been reading this book called "Superparenting for ADD" by Dr. Edward Hallowell (http://www.amazon.com/Superparenting-ADD...). In this book, Dr. Hallowell talks extensively about the negative connotation that ADD often has. In so many cases, the kids are treated as if something is wrong with them and that they will be a failure if they can't be "fixed". By focusing on the negative, they develop additional disorders like depression. Instead, it is much more successful to focus on the ADD as an advantage that other "normal" kids don't have. It is a gift that has to be unwrapped and when (not IF) the child learns to work *with* the ADD, they are unstoppable. In a lot of cases, that means using medication to make the ADD work with them and not against them. He explains that kids with ADD have a race car brain with weak breaks. The medicine helps to make the brakes strong. Without the breaks, you run off course and crash. But, *with* good breaks your race car brain can outrun any other car on the road. Maybe a visual like this will help your son feel better about having ADD and taking any kind of medication. Then you can work through any other issues (like side effects or teasing).



The other thing that is really valuable from this book is the perspective that we as parents need to take in order to instill the positive outlook into the child and all of the well-meaning adults around him/her (like teachers). We can gain this perspective by looking for the "mirror" traits to those which are so troublesome. Here's a little excerpt:



Distractible = Curious

Impulsive = Creative

Hyperactive/Restless = Energetic

Intrusive = Eager

Can't stay on point = Sees connections other don't

Forgetful = Gets totally into what he or she is doing

Disorganized = Spontaneous

Stubborn = Persistent, won't give up

Inconsistent = Shows flashes of brilliance

Moody = Sensitive



It take a mind shift to make this work, but it is so much more positive and "feels" better. That has to support a better outcome and better childhood.



Hope this helps! Good luck :)