Talking to child about starting meds

[Anonymous]

Our medical provider has prescribed adhd meds for our 6 yo ADHD/ASD child. But DC does not want to take it (they can swallow pills so that’s not the issue), and says that they are afraid to do so because they are afraid it will change their brain.

It feels important to approach this in a way to help teach and practice bodily autonomy and a respectful approach to taking medication. How have you approached explaining meds and working with your child to feel empowered (and open) to taking medications?

[Anonymous]

I may get heat for this, but I think you need to be careful when treading the body autonomy line with a child this age. I don’t believe that 6 year olds should make medical decisions for themselves. I have also found that if you go into the discussion not sounding sure that this is the next right step, your child will pick up on that apprehension. With my reluctant kid, we met with the psychiatrist who explained how the meds work, why they were appropriate for him and what we would do if there were side effects. I’m guessing that if you are trying meds at this age, there are some significant life impacts and this is a medically recommended next step. I would treat it like any other medical decision - antibiotics, vaccines, etc.

[Anonymous]

There are YouTube videos and picture books that explain this for kids with ADHD. You can have the doctor explain that he will still be the same person, but sometimes it takes a while to get the right dosage, and his input will be key as the main detective. It sounds like he heard this somewhere. Also, it’s not necessarily for life that he will take this medication. It’s to help him, just like some people need glasses to see better.

You make the medical decisions, but he can understand why you make them,

[Anonymous]

If your kid has adhd and ASD, you and/or your husband likely have one or both diagnoses as well. Talk about medications you take and how they help you be your best.

[Anonymous]

At 6, I’m not sure I’d confront this at all and would probably call it a vitamin. You’re using a lot of developmentally inappropriate words- autonomy and empowerment are just too big for a 6 year old.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are YouTube videos and picture books that explain this for kids with ADHD. You can have the doctor explain that he will still be the same person, but sometimes it takes a while to get the right dosage, and his input will be key as the main detective. It sounds like he heard this somewhere. Also, it’s not necessarily for life that he will take this medication. It’s to help him, just like some people need glasses to see better.

You make the medical decisions, but he can understand why you make them,

Thanks! I think this is the approach we would prefer to take. If anyone has helpful suggestions for videos, books, etc., they are very much appreciated!

[Anonymous]

Talk to your doctor, too. Ours was helpful in knowing how to explain things and answer questions in an age-appropriate way. They need to be working directly with the child anyway to understand side effects and make dosage adjustmenst over the next several weeks. Going on these medications is a partnership process, not a transaction.