My DH was dead set against medication too. He didn't even want to get DC tested for ADHD because of his fear of stigma and suspicion about medication. The issue finally resolved when DC was in high school and actually requested they be evaluated. Once that happened DH really couldn't put up much of an argument. I wish I'd taken a stand sooner for my child.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:While I think the glasses analogy is apprapos, my husband countered the diabetic argument to say that our child's ADD -- which he isn't really convinced of -- is not life threatening like diabetes. If you are philosophically opposed to medicating for ADD, which my spouse is in my child's case, medication is ``pathaologizing boyhood.''

That's funny. Being near sighted isn't life threatening either but I can't function very well without my glasses.

While ADD isn't life threatening, it definitely threatens the quality of your life.

When I talked to an educational consultant after our DD was diagnosed, she said that I will need to consider ADD for everything we do for DD.

ADHD affects academics, relationships, family dynamics, career, etc. It's a lot more pervasive than just "not being able to focus"

That's great news!

OP here with an update.

DH has agreed to meet with the psychiatrist! He has even said: "I still don't agree but if you really want to go ahead and do a trial run, I won't stop you."!!!! I know DH. He might recant. So I am going full steam ahead with his grudging permission before he changes his mind.

And 13:42 is correct. DH has ADHD and it didn't stop him from getting several graduate degrees and having a fulfilling career, all without meds. However DS's ADHD is more severe and he can't function even at the primary school level.

I think the turning point has been that DH can now see opportunities such as magnet placement slipping away because his son can't handle the organizational aspects, even though he has the necessary intellectual capacity and love of learning. That hits close to home.