ADHD Meds…..one parent doesn’t agree….

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This isn’t relevant for a 7 year old, but something to consider for the future: teens and adults who don’t get treatment for ADHD are at risk for self medicating with illegal drugs or alcohol because they have such a hard time functioning.

Our developmental pediatrician told us that children with ADHD who are medicated develop more neural connections than those who aren’t medicated. The medication doesn’t form the connections; it merely helps children maintain focus on non preferred subjects. That focus aids the learning process, which is what builds the neural connections. That clinched our decision to medicate.

Have your child’s prescriber talk to your spouse about their specific concerns.

this is uneccesary fearmongering.

DP. No, it is not. People with ADHD are at a significantly greater risk for substance use disorders. Several studies have found that use of stimulant medication to treat ADHD is correlated with a lower rate of substance abuse, and that this effect is stronger the younger a child is when they start stimulant medication.

Yes it absolutely is fearmongering to say “your kid will become an addict if you don’t medicate them now.” the support for that simply does not exist. there IS much more modest support for immediate impact on behavior. there is no need to exaggerate or engage in distorting the evidence. a parent who wishes to focus on time and behavioral support for a while is completely reasonable and responsible.

Stop lying. No one said unmedicated people with ADHD will become addicts. What was said is that they are at risk for self medicating using other means, which is true. That shouldn’t be the deciding factor in whether to medicate for ADHD, but it is something parents should be aware of if their kids aren’t medicated. I’d rather have more information when making a decision, not less.

[Anonymous]

I am the parent who said no to medication when my son was 7. My concerns are that his future height will be permanently affected. The research I read is consistent use of adhd meds is strongly correlated with shorter adult heights. I also read another study that indicated there can be a delay to grow during puberty so you may end up at the same height but it will take you longer to get there. Being a short boy in middle school and 9-10th grade is tough. And it is completely unscientific but the a few of the boys I know who are medicated seem like they really are going through puberty later and seem like they are a couple of years younger when they are in 8-9th grades based on their voices not changing and lack of growth spurt.

I also think that the effectiveness can wear off after years of use. So I would rather have my son on meds in high school and college. At 7 I could sit down one on one and have my son re-do academic work. I also put him in a structured school where there were textbooks, workbooks, clear assignments, and routines which helped immensely.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This isn’t relevant for a 7 year old, but something to consider for the future: teens and adults who don’t get treatment for ADHD are at risk for self medicating with illegal drugs or alcohol because they have such a hard time functioning.

Our developmental pediatrician told us that children with ADHD who are medicated develop more neural connections than those who aren’t medicated. The medication doesn’t form the connections; it merely helps children maintain focus on non preferred subjects. That focus aids the learning process, which is what builds the neural connections. That clinched our decision to medicate.

Have your child’s prescriber talk to your spouse about their specific concerns.

this is uneccesary fearmongering.

DP. No, it is not. People with ADHD are at a significantly greater risk for substance use disorders. Several studies have found that use of stimulant medication to treat ADHD is correlated with a lower rate of substance abuse, and that this effect is stronger the younger a child is when they start stimulant medication.

Yes it absolutely is fearmongering to say “your kid will become an addict if you don’t medicate them now.” the support for that simply does not exist. there IS much more modest support for immediate impact on behavior. there is no need to exaggerate or engage in distorting the evidence. a parent who wishes to focus on time and behavioral support for a while is completely reasonable and responsible.

No one has said that. You are making things up to try to justify your own fear-mongering.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am the parent who said no to medication when my son was 7. My concerns are that his future height will be permanently affected. The research I read is consistent use of adhd meds is strongly correlated with shorter adult heights. I also read another study that indicated there can be a delay to grow during puberty so you may end up at the same height but it will take you longer to get there. Being a short boy in middle school and 9-10th grade is tough. And it is completely unscientific but the a few of the boys I know who are medicated seem like they really are going through puberty later and seem like they are a couple of years younger when they are in 8-9th grades based on their voices not changing and lack of growth spurt.

I also think that the effectiveness can wear off after years of use. So I would rather have my son on meds in high school and college. At 7 I could sit down one on one and have my son re-do academic work. I also put him in a structured school where there were textbooks, workbooks, clear assignments, and routines which helped immensely.

Different strokes for different folks. My 97th percentile in height DC is still on the same growth track after a few years of stimulants and is now thriving in the classroom after having struggled. We all make the best choices we can for our kiddos, and we are all in it together!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am the parent who said no to medication when my son was 7. My concerns are that his future height will be permanently affected. The research I read is consistent use of adhd meds is strongly correlated with shorter adult heights. I also read another study that indicated there can be a delay to grow during puberty so you may end up at the same height but it will take you longer to get there. Being a short boy in middle school and 9-10th grade is tough. And it is completely unscientific but the a few of the boys I know who are medicated seem like they really are going through puberty later and seem like they are a couple of years younger when they are in 8-9th grades based on their voices not changing and lack of growth spurt.

I also think that the effectiveness can wear off after years of use. So I would rather have my son on meds in high school and college. At 7 I could sit down one on one and have my son re-do academic work. I also put him in a structured school where there were textbooks, workbooks, clear assignments, and routines which helped immensely.

I don't think it's the stimulants themselves. I think it's the appetite suppressant side effect, which can be mitigated.

At any rate, both parents need to be on board. As frustrating as it is, OP may need to hold off until other avenues have been fully explored.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This isn’t relevant for a 7 year old, but something to consider for the future: teens and adults who don’t get treatment for ADHD are at risk for self medicating with illegal drugs or alcohol because they have such a hard time functioning.

Our developmental pediatrician told us that children with ADHD who are medicated develop more neural connections than those who aren’t medicated. The medication doesn’t form the connections; it merely helps children maintain focus on non preferred subjects. That focus aids the learning process, which is what builds the neural connections. That clinched our decision to medicate.

Have your child’s prescriber talk to your spouse about their specific concerns.

this is uneccesary fearmongering.

DP. No, it is not. People with ADHD are at a significantly greater risk for substance use disorders. Several studies have found that use of stimulant medication to treat ADHD is correlated with a lower rate of substance abuse, and that this effect is stronger the younger a child is when they start stimulant medication.

Yes it absolutely is fearmongering to say “your kid will become an addict if you don’t medicate them now.” the support for that simply does not exist. there IS much more modest support for immediate impact on behavior. there is no need to exaggerate or engage in distorting the evidence. a parent who wishes to focus on time and behavioral support for a while is completely reasonable and responsible.

Stop lying. No one said unmedicated people with ADHD will become addicts. What was said is that they are at risk for self medicating using other means, which is true. That shouldn’t be the deciding factor in whether to medicate for ADHD, but it is something parents should be aware of if their kids aren’t medicated. I’d rather have more information when making a decision, not less.

that risk is far from well established.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This isn’t relevant for a 7 year old, but something to consider for the future: teens and adults who don’t get treatment for ADHD are at risk for self medicating with illegal drugs or alcohol because they have such a hard time functioning.

Our developmental pediatrician told us that children with ADHD who are medicated develop more neural connections than those who aren’t medicated. The medication doesn’t form the connections; it merely helps children maintain focus on non preferred subjects. That focus aids the learning process, which is what builds the neural connections. That clinched our decision to medicate.

Have your child’s prescriber talk to your spouse about their specific concerns.

this is uneccesary fearmongering.

DP. No, it is not. People with ADHD are at a significantly greater risk for substance use disorders. Several studies have found that use of stimulant medication to treat ADHD is correlated with a lower rate of substance abuse, and that this effect is stronger the younger a child is when they start stimulant medication.

Yes it absolutely is fearmongering to say “your kid will become an addict if you don’t medicate them now.” the support for that simply does not exist. there IS much more modest support for immediate impact on behavior. there is no need to exaggerate or engage in distorting the evidence. a parent who wishes to focus on time and behavioral support for a while is completely reasonable and responsible.

Stop lying. No one said unmedicated people with ADHD will become addicts. What was said is that they are at risk for self medicating using other means, which is true. That shouldn’t be the deciding factor in whether to medicate for ADHD, but it is something parents should be aware of if their kids aren’t medicated. I’d rather have more information when making a decision, not less.

that risk is far from well established.

DP. The correlation between ADHD and increase rates of substance abuse is well-documented.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4414493/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For a child that young and a parent who is on the fence, I would begin with executive functioning therapy and school supports for the next year or two. Then get another formal neuropsych report and reevaluate.

I am dealing with this right now and my spouse is dead set against medication for reasons he can't even articulate. But he is willing to try executive function coaching and school supports, so we'll start there. Our pediatrician has already indicated a willingness to prescribe (we have a diagnosis from a neuropsych evaluation), so I'm keeping that in my back pocket.

He may change his mind over time. Right now, I’d proceed with what he does say yes to, and get your child as much support as you can. Have him read about ADHD, maybe attend some parent coaching therapy together. The more he learns, the more educated he will be about the disorder and its treatment options.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am the parent who said no to medication when my son was 7. My concerns are that his future height will be permanently affected. The research I read is consistent use of adhd meds is strongly correlated with shorter adult heights. I also read another study that indicated there can be a delay to grow during puberty so you may end up at the same height but it will take you longer to get there. Being a short boy in middle school and 9-10th grade is tough. And it is completely unscientific but the a few of the boys I know who are medicated seem like they really are going through puberty later and seem like they are a couple of years younger when they are in 8-9th grades based on their voices not changing and lack of growth spurt.

I also think that the effectiveness can wear off after years of use. So I would rather have my son on meds in high school and college. At 7 I could sit down one on one and have my son re-do academic work. I also put him in a structured school where there were textbooks, workbooks, clear assignments, and routines which helped immensely.

Different strokes for different folks. My 97th percentile in height DC is still on the same growth track after a few years of stimulants and is now thriving in the classroom after having struggled. We all make the best choices we can for our kiddos, and we are all in it together!

If my son were in that growth track I would have no qualms about medicating but my son is in the 20-25th percentile for height. 1-2 inches makes a difference. There is a difference between 5’8”/5’9” and 5’6”/5’7”

[Anonymous]

My son is 9 and also very small.

We thought about medicating, then decided to hold off.

He started executive functioning coaching this fall. And the public school, which isn't aware of his diagnosis, has tons of supports. An adult meets with him at the beginning and end of the day to make sure he's organized and discuss his plans/accomplishments. Nearly all assignments are on his iPad so we can review them after school.

The beginning of the school year was rough, tons of homework. But he's getting into a groove, getting more confident, and doing okay.

The same work can take 20 minutes one day and 2 hours another day. Some days he can focus and others he can't. His thumbs are just that interesting. But we're working on good study habits and learning not to procrastinate. We're lucky that he's bright, so that a lot of school work isn't challenging.

I know that meds are in his future, probably in 6th grade.

I think DH was initially more supportive of medicating, and I was hesitant. And now the roles are reversed. It may be because I spend more time working with DS and see his frequent struggles.

[Anonymous]

Does it seem like it's almost always the dad who doesn't want to medicate?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does it seem like it's almost always the dad who doesn't want to medicate?

I am a mom who posted about fear of stunting growth.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Then dad can handle the calls from school, the frustrations, and the melt downs.

I would ask why he is against the meds. Would he say no to chemo if your child had cancer?

+1. When we were in the psychiatrist’s office and he recommended meds, DH started talking about not wanting to do so. Psychiatrist said that DH should be the one fielding all of the calls from the school if he felt that way. DH agreed to meds on the spot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This isn’t relevant for a 7 year old, but something to consider for the future: teens and adults who don’t get treatment for ADHD are at risk for self medicating with illegal drugs or alcohol because they have such a hard time functioning.

Our developmental pediatrician told us that children with ADHD who are medicated develop more neural connections than those who aren’t medicated. The medication doesn’t form the connections; it merely helps children maintain focus on non preferred subjects. That focus aids the learning process, which is what builds the neural connections. That clinched our decision to medicate.

Have your child’s prescriber talk to your spouse about their specific concerns.

this is uneccesary fearmongering.

DP. No, it is not. People with ADHD are at a significantly greater risk for substance use disorders. Several studies have found that use of stimulant medication to treat ADHD is correlated with a lower rate of substance abuse, and that this effect is stronger the younger a child is when they start stimulant medication.

Yes it absolutely is fearmongering to say “your kid will become an addict if you don’t medicate them now.” the support for that simply does not exist. there IS much more modest support for immediate impact on behavior. there is no need to exaggerate or engage in distorting the evidence. a parent who wishes to focus on time and behavioral support for a while is completely reasonable and responsible.

Stop lying. No one said unmedicated people with ADHD will become addicts. What was said is that they are at risk for self medicating using other means, which is true. That shouldn’t be the deciding factor in whether to medicate for ADHD, but it is something parents should be aware of if their kids aren’t medicated. I’d rather have more information when making a decision, not less.

that risk is far from well established.

DP. The correlation between ADHD and increase rates of substance abuse is well-documented.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4414493/

and that article says nothing about stimulant treatment of adhd preventing substance abuse.

[Anonymous]

He is still young. You can wait a while.
I have 4 kids- 2 are adhd.
Our oldest, we didn’t quite know what to do and she started meds freshman year. In hindsight, it should have been 6th or 7th grade
Our 2 middle kids seemed to mature and focus better around 4th grade. Our youngest is in process- but attention is not vastly improving, so he will likely start meds in 4th or 5th grade.
Don’t rush the normal early childhood development process