Reply to Is it required to disclose medication usage to public school?

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[quote=Anonymous]Our DS takes medication for both ADHD and anxiety and we've always discussed it with the school.  I'd say it's very important to do so, especially with respect to the anxiety medication.  Anxiety meds are funny -- they do help, but they can also cause a child to become "disinhibited" and create sudden, very unexpected behavior problems.  This happened to our DS with the first anxiety med he tried - turned out the dose was too high and it did create one rather spectacular behavioral issue one day at school.  It was helpful for the school to know this - they addressed the issue with him and us but knowing he was on medication definitely shaped how they responded to the issue.

I'd also say it's helpful with ADHD meds to disclose - if your child doesn't take medication, it can help the school figure out optimal ways to help him.  In our DS' case, having the teachers know has helped them gauge when he's having difficulties in the class.  No regrets about medication here -- DS is also primarily inattentive, but like with your child, ADHD has a huge impact on his learning (he also has learned to manage behavior-wise for the most part, even when meds wear off).

I don't know the answer legally - they can't require you to medicate your child but the knowledge is useful to them in figuring ways to help your son.

Unlike other OPs, I don't think your response was rude etc., but I will say that an open and open-minded attitude will do wonders.  It's not that we just accept everything the IEP Team says, but at least in our experience, honey works better than vinegar.  We know of families that don't like the approach their schools take for various reasons and they do have a more difficult time, and their kids suffer as a result too.

Good luck, OP![/quote]

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