Am I being precious keeping ds off school to start adhd meds?

[Veuvelily]

He’s 14
Just maybe the first day

I don't think you ABU, maybe call the school first thing and let them know what's happening but starting new medication could have affects on your child, might be better for you to be with him x

I think that is a good idea but don't think one day is sufficient. Why not start him on Thursday, keep him home Thursday and Friday and he'll be off anyway over the weekend. I hope the medication is effective, Veuvelily, and that he is having some sort of behaviour therapy alongside. I wish him and you all the very best.

Why not just start him on a Saturday?

I'm a teacher and most of my kids at school have started them on a weekend. The only one that didn't was quite spacey for two days and just told me all about things hed not noticed before. He was fine to be at school behaviour - wise, he just was overly attentive to the environment.

We just started DS this week and were advised to start over a weekend. Yesterday was day 3 and his first day at school on them - we just gave his teacher a heads up, mentioned the possible side effects and agreed to catch up at the end of the week to discuss how he has been so we can feedback collectively to his doctor.

Veuvelily Can I just ask what sort of traits to adhd did your son show? And how did you get him diagnosed?

If your worried I would just wait until Saturday to start them.

Another echoing to start on a Sat.

I know people who have started ADHD medication during school holidays to allow a chance to see how they're going with it and in case of side effects. I think starting it on a Saturday is a good idea, or even start on Friday and take that day off, make a long weekend.

Adding to previous posters- if you start on a Saturday then you can see how he goes, then keep him off on the Monday if needed. Giving the teacher a heads-up is a good idea.

Yes keep them off. They’re learning how to manage a disability and this would be an act of self care. I take ADHD meds and found the first few days to be rough.

We started at the weekend, dose changes at weekends etc. too.

Just a note too, our consultant also recommended a blood pressure check 2 hours after first taking them/changing dose so it’s good to have taken them at the weekend so you can do this. This might just be our consultant, not sure if it’s common practice

Yesterday was day 3 and his first day at school on them

Where do you live that your child goes to school on Easter Monday?

I work in a school independent and specialist and we were in yesterday.

We were told by our private prescriber to wait until the weekend and observe to ensure dose is correct. I’ve found my son barely eats once he has taken them (medikinet XL) so a massive breakfast is a good idea (they need to eat before for them to work) he was fine to go to school on the Monday.

@LBFseBrom why do you think that a child/adolescent with ADHD needs behavioural therapy?
I do hope that you realise that you are being extremely offensive and clearly have no knowledge or understanding of ADHD or how it affects people if you think that it causes behavioural issues that need therapy.
I suggest that you should do some research about ADHD before give anymore ablist advice

@Hoardasurass

My daughter is 12 and her psychiatrist recommends outcome based behavioural therapy.
This would cover things like OT/CBT to assist with things like execution function deficits so mechanisms to help with time blindness/motivation, starting and completing tasks. It’s not talk therapy but specific targeted areas in areas of weakness.

Hoardasurass, I don't think it's offensive to suggest that people with ADHD often benefit from therapy. Many (most?) people with ADHD do struggle with behaviour (organisational skills, impulsivity etc) and indeed emotional regulation. I have two kids waiting for an assessment for ADHD, and I hope they'll be offered some therapy alongside medication.

@Hoardasurass

A lot of experts in this field believe medication and behavioural therapy together yield the best results based on scientific research

Meds haven’t turned up yet! Prescribed on Thursday from the hospital but have to be couriered to the pharmacy.
I’m really at the end of my rope so desperately want them to work. We’re not sure he’s going to take them at the weekends.

We said that DS wouldn’t take them at weekends but it helps his mental health and anxiety issues so much that we give it to him most days.

Ah this is interesting, my 6 year old is due to start them this week but the doctor has advised that he will be all over the place and probably highly emotional for the first 2 weeks while he adjusts so I wasn’t sure what to do about school
It’s very reassuring to hear that most people only feel the effects for the first few days

@SobranieCocktail

Hoardasurass, I don't think it's offensive to suggest that people with ADHD often benefit from therapy. Many (most?) people with ADHD do struggle with behaviour (organisational skills, impulsivity etc) and indeed emotional regulation. I have two kids waiting for an assessment for ADHD, and I hope they'll be offered some therapy alongside medication.

Exactly and it would suprise me if a child had been prescribed a controlled medication if there weren't some behaviours of concern . Treatment for adhd should always include therapeutic support . There has been no suggestion or judgement of the type of behaviour either. All actions are behavioural at the end of the day .

Where do you live that your child goes to school on Easter Monday?

All schools in our authority were open yesterday