Considering ADHD medication

[earlyr1ser]

Hi there,

Middle son is in upper sixth, with A-levels next year. Diagnosed ADHD one year ago. We've tried a few strategies to manage the issue (omega-3 oils, breathing exercise, routines etc) but they only seem to bring temporary relief: he relapses into distraction.

I'm not sure whether or not now might be the time to consider ADHD medication. I was rather put off by the very hard sell we experienced from Dr Now in Beaconsfield, but we can't really keep on like this without risking him taking a hit educationally.

Would love to meet one-to-one with any parents out there who have encountered a similar situation and have found solutions. I'm Amersham-based and free for coffee most days.

Thank you!

I’m not in your area but when I was teaching I saw many students life transformed by medication.

Thank you, that is good to know.

Not local to you but my son started ADHD medication in year 12 and said it’s an absolute life changer for him. If you’re thinking about it, I suggest you start sooner rather than later as it took a while to find the right medication and the right level that worked for him.

Yes, I've heard similar advice from other people as well. Really good to know; thank you.

I absolutely understand that it's a really difficult decision. I have two children both diagnosed with ADHD - both very different but both have had their school lives totally transformed by medication.

What does your son think? My son has capacity to make the decision at 12 years old. He initially only wanted to take the meds on school days but recently has been asking to take it on a weekend when he plays football as he knows it helps him concentrate so much that he feels like he can play better.

Hope this helps - happy to chat but not local to you.

Good luck!

Not local to you but we went medication route after a lot of thought etc for our DS 16 - he started taking medication in Nov last year - we thought (with his agreement) that it would be worth trying for his GCSE year if we were going to do it - we had very noticeable early results - like a different child - he was astounded and said after the first week that he could now concentrate like his friends and it made his day easier - the only issue we have had is we had to go private to start and it was very stressful trying to get the actual medication as there were such shortages

Son is weighing up the pros and cons; for a long time, he was worried that it would be a bit like taking the type of medication that patients are given when doctors want to sedate them. However, the picture I am getting is one of thriving children, very much still alert and involved in life. This is encouraging; thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience.

Yes, I think I'm not even going to try with the NHS. He has A-Levels next year and time is running out for him to learn to manage on his own...there just seems to be something preventing him from focusing like his friends do. I'm really glad it has worked out for you.

I’ve taught many children who have been diagnosed with ADHD, most of whom have had meds prescribed. For some children, it’s made a huge difference and enabled them to focus on their learning, but for an equal number, it hasn’t. The thing is, it’s very difficult to know which children will benefit educationally.

Yes, my sense is that we will need to trial this very carefully.