Toddlers are now getting Ritalin and Adderall drugs

[Anonymous]

Heard this being reported on WTOP this morning.
CDC says 1000's of toddlers are being perscribed these drugs.
Our medical men have gone mad.

[Anonymous]

OP do you have a link? This is horrifying on so many levels.

[Anonymous]

Giving these drugs to the toddler/preschool set is not done without a lot of thought by both the parents and the drs. It was recommended to me for my 3 yr old. The closing words from the dev ped were " think about it. You don't have to make a decision today. And any decision you make can be changed"

In the end, I was one of the lucky parents who was able to get my childs behavior under control via other therapies. But if I was not able to, I would have gone back to the dev ped. You only do this for a preschooer/toddler when you have exhausted all other alternatives and the benefits outweigh the possible side affects. And yes, as parents we all know that no one knows what the long term affects could be by giving these drugs to a child this young. It's why no one takes this decision lightly.

[Anonymous]

Bizarre. Toddlers will throw tantrums. Toddlers will throw fits. They can be weird and get away with it. Let toddlers be toddlers.

[Anonymous]

we were at the end of our rope with your 3 year old. biting, hitting, screaming, melt downs. Dev Ped suggested we might consider drugs at a "younger" age. We worked intensively on behavioral modification, diet, parenting, atmosphere--it was a full time job. We also waited for our child to mature. Now, at 4.5 drugs are not an issue, despite the clear ADHD diagnoses. Will they be in the future? Perhaps, though given the research showing that long term use of these drugs results in no improvement has given me pause. i would prefer to understand what is going on--there is clearly a brain chemistry issue with our kid (when child has a fever, is a completely, 100 percent different kid, like night/day, a reaction that is not uncommon for other kids with autism and adhd) but i'm not sure if messing with that brain chemistry through drugs is the right answer. Then again, my child is not suffering right now. I have known and seen kids who literally cannot function without the drugs. What to do?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:we were at the end of our rope with your 3 year old. biting, hitting, screaming, melt downs. Dev Ped suggested we might consider drugs at a "younger" age. We worked intensively on behavioral modification, diet, parenting, atmosphere--it was a full time job. We also waited for our child to mature. Now, at 4.5 drugs are not an issue, despite the clear ADHD diagnoses. Will they be in the future? Perhaps, though given the research showing that long term use of these drugs results in no improvement has given me pause. i would prefer to understand what is going on--there is clearly a brain chemistry issue with our kid (when child has a fever, is a completely, 100 percent different kid, like night/day, a reaction that is not uncommon for other kids with autism and adhd) but i'm not sure if messing with that brain chemistry through drugs is the right answer. Then again, my child is not suffering right now. I have known and seen kids who literally cannot function without the drugs. What to do?

This is a thoughtful post and I sympathize with you. It must be an incredibly difficult situation. One question to consider: how did parents/ kids cope before these drugs were available?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:we were at the end of our rope with your 3 year old. biting, hitting, screaming, melt downs. Dev Ped suggested we might consider drugs at a "younger" age. We worked intensively on behavioral modification, diet, parenting, atmosphere--it was a full time job. We also waited for our child to mature. Now, at 4.5 drugs are not an issue, despite the clear ADHD diagnoses. Will they be in the future? Perhaps, though given the research showing that long term use of these drugs results in no improvement has given me pause. i would prefer to understand what is going on--there is clearly a brain chemistry issue with our kid (when child has a fever, is a completely, 100 percent different kid, like night/day, a reaction that is not uncommon for other kids with autism and adhd) but i'm not sure if messing with that brain chemistry through drugs is the right answer. Then again, my child is not suffering right now. I have known and seen kids who literally cannot function without the drugs. What to do?

This is a thoughtful post and I sympathize with you. It must be an incredibly difficult situation. One question to consider: how did parents/ kids cope before these drugs were available?

The same way we cope now. You just deal. But it's not easy. Your life is vastly different from your friends who have children the same age. You Hoover at play dates ready to intervene at a moments notice-- you don't walk away just to talk to a friend or go to the bathroom, your circle of friends is VERY small-- these people all know what is going on and still accept you and your child, you don't go out as a family because if the child starts acting up you need to leave, you take 2 cars to most events so that one parent can leave if need be, you feel guilty for neglecting the other children in your household, you don't go on vacations, you dread seeing the preschool number show up on your phone-- and it shows up frequently. It's not a fun life and it impacts everyone in the household.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:we were at the end of our rope with your 3 year old. biting, hitting, screaming, melt downs. Dev Ped suggested we might consider drugs at a "younger" age. We worked intensively on behavioral modification, diet, parenting, atmosphere--it was a full time job. We also waited for our child to mature. Now, at 4.5 drugs are not an issue, despite the clear ADHD diagnoses. Will they be in the future? Perhaps, though given the research showing that long term use of these drugs results in no improvement has given me pause. i would prefer to understand what is going on--there is clearly a brain chemistry issue with our kid (when child has a fever, is a completely, 100 percent different kid, like night/day, a reaction that is not uncommon for other kids with autism and adhd) but i'm not sure if messing with that brain chemistry through drugs is the right answer. Then again, my child is not suffering right now. I have known and seen kids who literally cannot function without the drugs. What to do?

This is a thoughtful post and I sympathize with you. It must be an incredibly difficult situation. One question to consider: how did parents/ kids cope before these drugs were available?

The same way we cope now. You just deal. But it's not easy. Your life is vastly different from your friends who have children the same age. You Hoover at play dates ready to intervene at a moments notice-- you don't walk away just to talk to a friend or go to the bathroom, your circle of friends is VERY small-- these people all know what is going on and still accept you and your child, you don't go out as a family because if the child starts acting up you need to leave, you take 2 cars to most events so that one parent can leave if need be, you feel guilty for neglecting the other children in your household, you don't go on vacations, you dread seeing the preschool number show up on your phone-- and it shows up frequently. It's not a fun life and it impacts everyone in the household.

The studies showing no long term gain are highly flawed.

While I agree that medication toddlers should almost never be done (I'm certain there are situations where it is called for) I also think not many families could go through what PP's family has gone through. I think all those who judge parents who put their kids on medication should ask themselves if this is preferable. Kudos to PP for navigating these tough waters. But if this was an older child and I were PP, I wouldn't hesitate to use medication.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:we were at the end of our rope with your 3 year old. biting, hitting, screaming, melt downs. Dev Ped suggested we might consider drugs at a "younger" age. We worked intensively on behavioral modification, diet, parenting, atmosphere--it was a full time job. We also waited for our child to mature. Now, at 4.5 drugs are not an issue, despite the clear ADHD diagnoses. Will they be in the future? Perhaps, though given the research showing that long term use of these drugs results in no improvement has given me pause. i would prefer to understand what is going on--there is clearly a brain chemistry issue with our kid (when child has a fever, is a completely, 100 percent different kid, like night/day, a reaction that is not uncommon for other kids with autism and adhd) but i'm not sure if messing with that brain chemistry through drugs is the right answer. Then again, my child is not suffering right now. I have known and seen kids who literally cannot function without the drugs. What to do?

This is a thoughtful post and I sympathize with you. It must be an incredibly difficult situation. One question to consider: how did parents/ kids cope before these drugs were
available?

My grandmother coped with my mother's issues by beating her. The issues did not go away.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:we were at the end of our rope with your 3 year old. biting, hitting, screaming, melt downs. Dev Ped suggested we might consider drugs at a "younger" age. We worked intensively on behavioral modification, diet, parenting, atmosphere--it was a full time job. We also waited for our child to mature. Now, at 4.5 drugs are not an issue, despite the clear ADHD diagnoses. Will they be in the future? Perhaps, though given the research showing that long term use of these drugs results in no improvement has given me pause. i would prefer to understand what is going on--there is clearly a brain chemistry issue with our kid (when child has a fever, is a completely, 100 percent different kid, like night/day, a reaction that is not uncommon for other kids with autism and adhd) but i'm not sure if messing with that brain chemistry through drugs is the right answer. Then again, my child is not suffering right now. I have known and seen kids who literally cannot function without the drugs. What to do?

This child's only problem is his parents' inability to parent.

You need counseling and parenting classes, not a developmental pediatrician.

Poor baby.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:we were at the end of our rope with your 3 year old. biting, hitting, screaming, melt downs. Dev Ped suggested we might consider drugs at a "younger" age. We worked intensively on behavioral modification, diet, parenting, atmosphere--it was a full time job. We also waited for our child to mature. Now, at 4.5 drugs are not an issue, despite the clear ADHD diagnoses. Will they be in the future? Perhaps, though given the research showing that long term use of these drugs results in no improvement has given me pause. i would prefer to understand what is going on--there is clearly a brain chemistry issue with our kid (when child has a fever, is a completely, 100 percent different kid, like night/day, a reaction that is not uncommon for other kids with autism and adhd) but i'm not sure if messing with that brain chemistry through drugs is the right answer. Then again, my child is not suffering right now. I have known and seen kids who literally cannot function without the drugs. What to do?

This is a thoughtful post and I sympathize with you. It must be an incredibly difficult situation. One question to consider: how did parents/ kids cope before these drugs were available?

The same way we cope now. You just deal. But it's not easy. Your life is vastly different from your friends who have children the same age. You Hoover at play dates ready to intervene at a moments notice-- you don't walk away just to talk to a friend or go to the bathroom, your circle of friends is VERY small-- these people all know what is going on and still accept you and your child, you don't go out as a family because if the child starts acting up you need to leave, you take 2 cars to most events so that one parent can leave if need be, you feel guilty for neglecting the other children in your household, you don't go on vacations, you dread seeing the preschool number show up on your phone-- and it shows up frequently. It's not a fun life and it impacts everyone in the household.

The studies showing no long term gain are highly flawed.

While I agree that medication toddlers should almost never be done (I'm certain there are situations where it is called for) I also think not many families could go through what PP's family has gone through. I think all those who judge parents who put their kids on medication should ask themselves if this is preferable. Kudos to PP for navigating these tough waters. But if this was an older child and I were PP, I wouldn't hesitate to use medication.

Because NIMH publishes "highly flawed" studies all the time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:we were at the end of our rope with your 3 year old. biting, hitting, screaming, melt downs. Dev Ped suggested we might consider drugs at a "younger" age. We worked intensively on behavioral modification, diet, parenting, atmosphere--it was a full time job. We also waited for our child to mature. Now, at 4.5 drugs are not an issue, despite the clear ADHD diagnoses. Will they be in the future? Perhaps, though given the research showing that long term use of these drugs results in no improvement has given me pause. i would prefer to understand what is going on--there is clearly a brain chemistry issue with our kid (when child has a fever, is a completely, 100 percent different kid, like night/day, a reaction that is not uncommon for other kids with autism and adhd) but i'm not sure if messing with that brain chemistry through drugs is the right answer. Then again, my child is not suffering right now. I have known and seen kids who literally cannot function without the drugs. What to do?

This child's only problem is his parents' inability to parent.

You need counseling and parenting classes, not a developmental pediatrician.

Poor baby.

I'm not the PP, but I've worked with special needs children for years. When the preschool has to initiate lock down procedures again because your child is a danger to himself and other students, you might rethink your advice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:we were at the end of our rope with your 3 year old. biting, hitting, screaming, melt downs. Dev Ped suggested we might consider drugs at a "younger" age. We worked intensively on behavioral modification, diet, parenting, atmosphere--it was a full time job. We also waited for our child to mature. Now, at 4.5 drugs are not an issue, despite the clear ADHD diagnoses. Will they be in the future? Perhaps, though given the research showing that long term use of these drugs results in no improvement has given me pause. i would prefer to understand what is going on--there is clearly a brain chemistry issue with our kid (when child has a fever, is a completely, 100 percent different kid, like night/day, a reaction that is not uncommon for other kids with autism and adhd) but i'm not sure if messing with that brain chemistry through drugs is the right answer. Then again, my child is not suffering right now. I have known and seen kids who literally cannot function without the drugs. What to do?

This child's only problem is his parents' inability to parent.

You need counseling and parenting classes, not a developmental pediatrician.

Poor baby.

I'm not the PP, but I've worked with special needs children for years. When the preschool has to initiate lock down procedures again because your child is a danger to himself and other students, you might rethink your advice.

That's because the preschool isn't willing to physically restrain the child, until he/she calms down. I had use a modified basket hold with my child many times.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:we were at the end of our rope with your 3 year old. biting, hitting, screaming, melt downs. Dev Ped suggested we might consider drugs at a "younger" age. We worked intensively on behavioral modification, diet, parenting, atmosphere--it was a full time job. We also waited for our child to mature. Now, at 4.5 drugs are not an issue, despite the clear ADHD diagnoses. Will they be in the future? Perhaps, though given the research showing that long term use of these drugs results in no improvement has given me pause. i would prefer to understand what is going on--there is clearly a brain chemistry issue with our kid (when child has a fever, is a completely, 100 percent different kid, like night/day, a reaction that is not uncommon for other kids with autism and adhd) but i'm not sure if messing with that brain chemistry through drugs is the right answer. Then again, my child is not suffering right now. I have known and seen kids who literally cannot function without the drugs. What to do?

This child's only problem is his parents' inability to parent.

You need counseling and parenting classes, not a developmental pediatrician.

Poor baby.

This is why I hate any discussion of medication on DCUM -- the ignorance of parents (who have never had to deal with these issues).

But this is a particularly odd one because is clearly an extraordinary parent. Look at the lengths she went to to help her DC! I would bet that 90% of parents here would be unable to follow such a program. The attempt to shame parents of kids who have been biologically dealt a more difficult hand just reflects poorly on the posters. People who resort to this sort of thing appear to be deeply insecure about their own parenting skills and therefore have to assert their superiority and judge what their ignorance preclusde them from understanding. But doing so in this case is particularly absurd.

Or maybe this is just a troll.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:we were at the end of our rope with your 3 year old. biting, hitting, screaming, melt downs. Dev Ped suggested we might consider drugs at a "younger" age. We worked intensively on behavioral modification, diet, parenting, atmosphere--it was a full time job. We also waited for our child to mature. Now, at 4.5 drugs are not an issue, despite the clear ADHD diagnoses. Will they be in the future? Perhaps, though given the research showing that long term use of these drugs results in no improvement has given me pause. i would prefer to understand what is going on--there is clearly a brain chemistry issue with our kid (when child has a fever, is a completely, 100 percent different kid, like night/day, a reaction that is not uncommon for other kids with autism and adhd) but i'm not sure if messing with that brain chemistry through drugs is the right answer. Then again, my child is not suffering right now. I have known and seen kids who literally cannot function without the drugs. What to do?

This child's only problem is his parents' inability to parent.

You need counseling and parenting classes, not a developmental pediatrician.

Poor baby.

I'm not the PP, but I've worked with special needs children for years. When the preschool has to initiate lock down procedures again because your child is a danger to himself and other students, you might rethink your advice.

That's because the preschool isn't willing to physically restrain the child, until he/she calms down. I had use a modified basket hold with my child many times.

The child went on to spend 6 months in Kennedy Krieger. It wasn't a basket hold issue.