adhd kid not wanting to take meds

[Anonymous]

I have a similar struggle with a 16 yr old. We have decided to test a different drug and see the side effects for a couple of months. Our problem is that grades didn’t fall much. I know they could be better but felt like a “pusher”. But the day to day interaction is either nonexistent or difficult.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:oh goodness last poster. She just started taking meds this academic year. Her grades went from Cs to As overnight. She was re-tested, by the school for learning disabilities and tested "gifted". So yeah, I want her to take the meds so she actually learns to her potential. Homework going easier is a bonus.

I agree she needs to take them daily, regularly.

She doesn’t seem to have a reason not to.

Where is Dad in all this or does he have the same Dx and issues?

My adhd-hfa daughter is so belligerent, so is her father / my husband.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:He's 11. You take away the phone, the video games, the tv, the internet until he does what he is supposed to. He can decide to stop at 18 not before.

This. Natural consequences. If you don't take your meds, you are not in a position to be able to handle x y z.

Also have the doctor tell the kid to take the meds and why. Then it's the child not following medical advice, not what the parent is telling them to do .

jeebus. that’s not natural consequences. that’s harsh punishment. natural consequences are the child getting bad grades, losing friends due to impulsivity, losing belongings …

FYI- “natural consequences” with someone with adhd and asd does not work. You surely noticed that in the early days.
They don’t care, or worse, they decline maladaptive coping mechanisms like blaming others, deflecting, or starting side arguments. They think it’s dandy if they can change the subject and it resolve the issue at hand.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If meds are so spectacular for her in terms of results - why doesn't she want to take them?

Usually kids don't want to take meds because of the side effects or because they don't like how they feel on them or because they don't think they help. But if these have been miracle drugs for her - what is her hesitation?

I am an adult with ADHD. I only sporadically take meds. I take them when I have a specific kind of task to do where I have to be focused for long hours at a computer / desk. For example writing a report or something. Otherwise I don't take them. But for me, they aren't miracle drugs.

groggieness and irritability with friends are the side effects. Teachers see a bit of that but like the results also.

These side effects are excellent reasons to decline to take the drug every day. The fact that you want him to suffer grogginess and irritability with his friends that could lead to social problems in order to make your life easier is disgusting. Taking the pills for the tests even though there are these side effects shows great maturity…a lot more maturity than you are showing here, OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:He's 11. You take away the phone, the video games, the tv, the internet until he does what he is supposed to. He can decide to stop at 18 not before.

This. Natural consequences. If you don't take your meds, you are not in a position to be able to handle x y z.

Also have the doctor tell the kid to take the meds and why. Then it's the child not following medical advice, not what the parent is telling them to do .

jeebus. that’s not natural consequences. that’s harsh punishment. natural consequences are the child getting bad grades, losing friends due to impulsivity, losing belongings …

FYI- “natural consequences” with someone with adhd and asd does not work. You surely noticed that in the early days.
They don’t care, or worse, they decline maladaptive coping mechanisms like blaming others, deflecting, or starting side arguments. They think it’s dandy if they can change the subject and it resolve the issue at hand.

well harsh punishment won’t work either