How to Tell Whether to Medicate Your Child for ADHD

One of the most difficult decisions for parents is whether to medicate their child for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. You must carefully weigh the pros and cons for your particular situation, as well as dispense with any pre-existing biases. Some people want to medicate every unruly child; others want to keep even the most hyperactive child off medication at all costs. If you are struggling with the decision of medicating your child for ADHD, there are many questions you can ask yourself to help determine what's right for your family.

Instructions

• 1

  Learn all you can about ways to manage ADHD. Read books and articles about ADHD, and talk to people who are parenting children with ADHD.

• 2

  Try using alternatives to medication first, using what you've learned from your reading and from other parents, and see if you can manage your child's behavior without drugs. Some parents find success with more structured forms of discipline, enrolling the child in a martial arts class, or a change in diet. Some of these methods work with some children, so it is worth trying them before turning to medication.

• 3

  Assess how the ADHD is affecting your child's self-image and social interactions. Does your child feel like he is "bad" because he is in trouble so frequently? Do other children reject your child because of his behaviors? Ask yourself whether it would be better to medicate your child than for him to believe that he is a bad kid.

• 4

  Determine how much the ADHD is affecting your child's ability to succeed in school. Many children with ADHD are bright, but their inability to focus causes them to do poorly in school. Ask yourself whether it would be better to medicate your child than to have him fail at school and question his own intelligence.

• 5

  Think about how much the ADHD is affecting your family. Do you frequently find yourself wanting to be away from your child? Do you yell at your child on a regular basis because he does not seem to hear you otherwise? How much time in an average day do you spend in a loving relationship with your child? Ask yourself whether it would be better to medicate your child than to have your relationship break down as a result of his behaviors.

• 6

  Research ADHD medications. Many people who are opposed to medicating children for ADHD point to the fact that most ADHD medications are Class II controlled substances, without looking into the facts about what the medication can or should do for ADHD when used appropriately. After you educate yourself, ask yourself whether the cost of using the drugs -- side effects and risks -- is worth the benefit your child might receive from them.

• 7

  Spend time with children who are medicated for ADHD. Many parents fear that their active child will turn into a zombie if given ADHD medication. Spending time with a child who is managing his ADHD behaviors with medication can help you see whether this is something you'd be willing for your child to try.