Child given ADHD medication unnecessarily

[beatrice82]

Does anyone have experience of a child being given medicine for ADHD when they don't really have this condition? I think there's been a misdiagnosis because when I spend time with this child in an educational setting, I don't see any ADHD behaviours. His parents are at the end of their tether when them at home though. I would say this is more likely because of lack of boundaries. I wasn't asked what my observations of him in school are, which I find odd as I spend 3 days a week working with this child. I'm sad he's being medicated and hope it doesn't change his personality. Will he be ok? ☹️

Still sad he's going on meds cos he's such a lovely person and I'm worried the medication will change how he is.

I don’t believe for a second you have any actual experience of working with children with ADHD if you believe this.

@Rosemaryandlemon

I should also add maybe you should be asked to switch to working with another child. 2 of my children have additional needs and I would not be happy if their TA was thinking they were misdiagnosed and just lacked boundaries at home.

We have a great relationship with the school/TAs it’s very much a team effort and we are all on the same page to ensure consistency.

I agree with this

Because you’re over stepping and taking the piss, that’s why.

@MaryAndGerryLivingInDerry

It took 5 years and two full assessment processes before my son was given his ADHD diagnosis and medication. Believe me- they don’t hand that shit out like skittles.

That's helpful. Thank you. Perhaps it's been something that's been monitored for a while. Still feels weird they've not asked me for any feedback whatsoever as spend so much time with him.

@beatrice82
What is your role in school? I’m assuming possibly 1:1 for the child? If so, then your views would not have been sought, that’s not within the remit of your role. There will have been many professionals involved and a very lengthy process to come to the diagnosis, it’s not just something that’s done lightly. If you are the child’s 1:1, then your view of the child as a whole is very different, as many children they’ve on the 1:1 situation and don’t display issues in that situation.

As sonn my robe has already suggested, I think your boundaries are a little blurred and you need to take a step back and ask for support in school for some guidance and training on ADHD.

@beatrice82

Not sure why I'm getting my head bitten off. I'm using this forum as a safe space to mull this over with people who perhaps have some experience in this area. This isn't a discussion I would have with anyone in RL obviously as I know it's not my position too.

But it's not your job to mull it over. Your job its to continue to work with the child within your remit.

[quote catterycatcat]@beatrice82 with the greatest respect you clearly have no idea about ADHD meds. Stay out of it and keep supporting the child. [/quote]
That's why I'm asking - do they affect a child's personality? I don't really know how they work, you're right.

Of course you are allowed to ask and find out more here. I think this is a good opportunity to talk to the person who filled in the forms and discuss it with them.
Maybe you could go on a course also and it might be something you would find interesting. Good luck.

How long have you been working with him 3 days a week?

@beatrice82

I wasn't given the opportunity to comment on the forms. I feel that the parents are pushing for this diagnosis because they can't cope with him at home, yet when I work with him at school, he's perfectly manageable.

The fact you hadn't considered the effect of 121 attention or that he might be masking during school is why you weren't asked for your opinion

@Rosemaryandlemon

I should also add maybe you should be asked to switch to working with another child. 2 of my children have additional needs and I would not be happy if their TA was thinking they were misdiagnosed and just lacked boundaries at home.

We have a great relationship with the school/TAs it’s very much a team effort and we are all on the same page to ensure consistency.

I'm an excellent 1:1 thank you. The SENCO has informed me there is a lack of boundaries at home.

It’s none of your business though.

@ToughTittyWhompus

I’m on ADHD medications, I started them last year and they have not changed who I am, but they have made my life immeasurably easier.

That's reassuring. I genuinely care about this kid.

Where have you gotten the idea that ADHD meds would change someone? That’s just not how it works.

So the child has need sufficient that they have 1-1 at least three days a week?

@ToughTittyWhompus

Because you’re over stepping and taking the piss, that’s why.

I don't think that asking a question on a forum is taking the piss - surely this is what MN is for.

Doesn't matter whether you believe the child has ADHD or not. People more qualified than you have carried out extensive assessments and have decided that they do. So your belief is factually wrong. So wind your neck in and get on with your job, which doesn't involve undiagnosing children with special needs.

Are you new to this role OP?

@Rosemaryandlemon
I should also add maybe you should be asked to switch to working with another child. 2 of my children have additional needs and I would not be happy if their TA was thinking they were misdiagnosed and just lacked boundaries at home. We have a great relationship with the school/TAs it’s very much a team effort and we are all on the same page to ensure consistency.
I totally agree with you in this. I’m a teacher and would be concerned if a 1:1 for any of the children I teach had this view.

@TawdryBrush

You are totally overstepping your remit OP, and being rather arrogant to think you know better than the medical professionals, the SENCo and his parents. Wind your neck in.

Or possibly, rather than taking your hugely confrontational approach to life, take a more balanced approach.

If the OP has genuine concerns (which they do seem to) then speak to the school SEN coordinator and ask them to help you understand. Explain how you don't see any ADHD behaviours, but you want to understand if there is anything you can do as part of a holistic program to help the child.

@ToughTittyWhompus

It’s none of your business though.

I know. That's why I won't say anything in RL. I still care though because I'm a human being.

You’re not qualified to have an opinion on this. It took for my ds to reach 11 before he was diagnosed with ADHD and ASD, teachers were not seeing behaviours that were clearly there and not reporting on the forms provided by CAHMS. He masked at school incredibly well but it was obvious to me he was masking. Eventually CAMHS and someone from the child psychology went into class and spent the day watching him, they seen a very different picture to the teachers.

You’re asking a question about a child that isn’t yours. On top of that, you’re doubting his diagnosis when you aren’t a medical professional. If that’s not taking the piss, I don’t know what is.

But you're implying that you have been cut out of the process because you don't think he displays any signs of ADHD and that your involvement may have changed the dx. That you and the SENCO feel he has a lack of boundaries at home and that is the problem.

I don't see why you think this should be a safe space when you're basically saying you think his parents have conspired to get him medicated to give themselves an easier life.

@Sirzy

So the child has need sufficient that they have 1-1 at least three days a week?

Yes but it's not related to behaviour. It's for something else.