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SN children

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Original poster

Does school need to know about ADHD meds?

14 replies

sunnymum44 · 15/11/2011 11:57

Hi there. Just a quick question - DS is 5.5 and very likely got ADHD. Paed seen him twice, referred us to CAMHS and is certain he has ADHD. After much self denial, we agree too that he has it but for complicated reasons, we are not ready to tell the school (independent, no extra help available for him, if he gets labelled, he may be ousted....), hence we can't get an official diagnosis by doing the questionnaires.

The paed has pretty much said she would prescibe medication even though we don't have a diagnosis. We are seriously considering this now as DS's behaviour is so unmanageable and we are at wits end and feeling very bad for him that he can't like being like this, so feel he needs help through meds.

Has anyone any experience of not telling their school about medication that their child is on? Are there any reasons it must be disclosed for medical/ safety/ legal reasons?

Many thanks in advance for any help on this.

OP posts:

PattySimcox · 15/11/2011 12:12

First thing that comes to mind is a medical emergency.

Very often one of the first questions asked is if someone is taking any medication. In the event of an accident in PE the school may have to call an ambulance before you arrive, and would need to answer questions such as these?

Original poster

sunnymum44 · 15/11/2011 12:24

Thanks Patty. I did think of that but would the ADHD meds affect treatment then? Would they be a medication that could affect someone in an emergency? I do need to find out more about them generally away.

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willowthecat · 15/11/2011 12:38

You have to declare medication use on school registration forms so think it could cause problems later if you try to hide it - also you do need to think about medical emergencies as said above - even if emergency was totally unreleated to ADHD meds, they would still expect to know

zzzzz · 15/11/2011 12:55

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Chundle · 15/11/2011 15:58

A very rare side effect of ADHD meds is heart disturbances so you absolutely need to tell the school in case he experiences palpitations or something at school. Always best to be on the safe side . Just tell them it's to help his concerntration so he can achieve to his potential which is in effect the truth! There are many many SN kids at private schools

MincePieFlavouredVoidka · 15/11/2011 16:08

You might have to worry about contra indications (I think thats the term). I dont know what medication it is but it might mean you cant take other medication. If the school are not aware it could put your DS at risk.

Why dont you want the school to know?

MadameSin · 15/11/2011 16:40

If his behaviour is that bad for you now, surely the school must know there is something 'up' iyswim. If it is that bad, they would probably welcome the meds if it helps him. My ds1 attends a private school and there are a few lads on ADHD medication as well as other SN's. Does his school have a positive approach to SEN? What makes you think he would be 'ousted'? Even more important, if he is in a school with no extra support, why would you keep him there? I chose to send ds2 who has a dx of ADHD to a good state school where he is supported very well.

Triggles · 15/11/2011 17:10

Yes, unfortunately there can be side effects of ANY medication, so for his own safety, you really MUST advise them of the medications. We are having the opposite issue with our DS2. He has ADHD/DCD, and a FT 1:1 (as well as statement) at school, and I suspect they would like us to medicate him (mainly because they've told us ) but we point blank told him that yes, he's a lot of work but that we are not comfortable with the medication until he's a bit older (personal choice due to some specific reasons) and have advised them that we will not be discussing his medication at length with them, only advising them if/when he is taking it and any specific effects it may have on him. But we will absolutely NOT be discussing with them whether or not he will be getting it, as it is OUR decision. They weren't thrilled with that, but on the whole they've been very supportive, so I think they recognised that they rather overstepped the boundaries that time.

tallulah · 15/11/2011 17:12

You may not be given the slow-release medicine (Concerta etc), in which case he would have to take a dose at school during the day. It's a controlled substance so he wouldn't be allowed to carry it on him and self administer. My DS had to take his meds to the nurse in a named box then go to her for a dose every day.

Triggles · 15/11/2011 17:14

Just on a side note, I cannot imagine a school "ousting" your child because he has ADHD. And if they did, would you really think that was the best school to support and educate your child? Just a thought....

And because our DS2 has ADHD, I know where you're coming from regarding all the negative connotations that seem to come along with ADHD. The phrase "naughty child syndrome" has a lot of answer for, it really does, as do the people that use it.

Original poster

sunnymum44 · 15/11/2011 17:28

Thanks everyone. Zzzzz, really good point that the meds could be for something else, hadn't thought of that - however I suppose a good teacher would twig immediately wouldn't they that it's for ADHD.

I know, we find it strange too that they haven't yet suggested ADHD as we have been called in/ talked on several occasions about his behaviour. I think we're lucky that he does seem to be bright so that's carrying him at the moment regarding learning, reading etc. I'm just waiting for the day really when they do ask & haven't decided yet whether to say, yes we're aware & managing it, or act dumb!

You're absolutely right, there's probably several SN children at the school that we wouldn't be aware of - and yes, why would we know? It's just the school gets very good results & does "get rid" of the ones who aren't going to cut the mustard quite early on, by about year 4 - my worry is, if they know, will they just think, oh he won't make it so won't be supportive. They don't really support SN at all. I know I'm making the school sound terrible but my boy is bright I think & the school offers a fantastic environment, far better than our local state schools unfortunately. I have posted about these issues before so don't want to bore anyone but as previously said, we would of course move him to a different school, a state one if at some stage in the future it means it's the best option for him. In the meantime, and the paed also knows the school & supports us in this by the way, we'd rather keep his condition to ourselves.

So really, I was interested in the medical side. I'll look in to the heart thing too thanks as that does sound like a reason to disclose.

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Original poster

sunnymum44 · 15/11/2011 17:43

Thanks triggles and tallulah, only just read your posts. Yes, the "naughty child" thing is actually one of the main reasons we don't want to publicise.... We unfortunately already know the ignorance out there, and don't want our boy ostracised
Thanks for letting me know about the meds and it's also good to hear about non medication too.

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zzzzz · 15/11/2011 20:15

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

cansu · 15/11/2011 21:02

I can understand your reasons but i think you should disclose for medical reasons as well as for your sons sake. It may well help his teachers to understand his problems. Schools get a lot of flack on here for good reasons. I have criticised them myself but I think you are not being fair and open with the school staff.

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