Do ADHD tablets work if a child doesn't have it?

[SayWhatYouC]

DS1 (10) was diagnosed as having ADHD at the beginning of the year. I was pleased (well, I suppose, I felt vindicated really, not pleased). DS1's Dad (my ExH) has not agreed with the diagnosis - he thinks DS1 is just a typical lively boy, doesn't want him labelled etc. I think he sees the diagnosis as a slight on his genes or something.

Anyhow. We have argued over meducation. I am for, he is against. We finally agreed in trying it out for a 3 month period. I have DS1 for about 80% of the time, and since he's been on the medication, I think it has been a real improvement. He can concentrate at school - isn't getting into trouble. He is definitely less hyper at home, and seems to just slow down a bit so he can make the right decision rather than just leap headfirst or mouthfirst into everything. He's still the same boy, just calmer and more in control than he has ever been before. He says he is happier too, which is fab.

ExH says that this proves nothing. That the tablets are just 'dulling' DS, and that while he can see they have an effect (1) he (ExH) doesn't like the effect and (2) they would affect everyone the same way, ADHD or not.

IMO, the tablets (1) are helping DS1 be the person he wants to be and (2) if he didn't have ADHD, they wouldn't affect his behaviour.

Can anyone help me out? I really don't think DS is 'dulled', but he is much nicer to be around. I want to be abloe to say to ExH - yes DS1 DOES have ADHD because the tablet ARE helping, and they wouldn't if he didn't have it. Is there any proof that this is how it works? I need to get ExH to understand, and he is more likely to if I can give him proof/research etc. TIA.

ADHD drugs are usually stimulants. If a person without ADHD took them then it would cause them to be more energetic and probably hyper.

If you google the drug that DS is on then you should get a list of effects it has on people with ADHD and then you might be able to google a list of effects for people without ADHD and show it to your ex.
It sounds like ex is in complete denial which is not unusual. Hopefully some posters might be along to give advice on how to deal with your ex.
I'm glad your DS is doing so well on his meds, it sounds really positive for him.

DS1 is on methylphenidate. I had a quick google, but couldn't find anything definitive unfortunately.

ExH has issues with DS1 and SEN - DS also has a diagnosis of ASC and ExH doesn't really get that either! He doesn't want to see that anything is 'wrong'. I was hoping to be able to use the ADHD medicines to sort of show him that it isn't just me making things out to be worse than they are - DS does have issues, but they can be helped and ExH really needs to accept things so we can do our best for him. Sigh.

Ds takes methylphenidate and atomoxetine.

It's true that stimulant medication affects ADHD sufferers and non-sufferers differently, as fairgame has described.

Methylphenidate is a controlled drug and it can't be prescribed without dx, according to NICE guidelines, though there is flexibility within that. Some psychiatrists use it as a diagnostic aid in cases where there is uncertainty - if the patient responds positively to the drug then they most likely have ADHD because they would react differently if they didn't.

What you're experiencing with your ex is very common. A lot of fathers have difficulties accepting there might be something 'wrong' with their children whereas mothers tend to be more practical about it.