Should I Give my Child ADHD Medication? Understand the Degree of Your Child's Symptoms and Consult a Doctor

Children and ADHD Medication

Currently, there is a large debate concerning if medication is the best way to treat a child with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD. Some people feel that behavior modification is the best treatment and that medication is simply a quick fix. However, others term ADHD as a medical condition that involves an imbalance of chemicals and thus medication is required to remedy the solution. Therefore, it is no wonder why you are at a loss when making the decision if medication is the solution for your child or not.

The first thing you need to do is get a firmer grip and understanding on the level of your child’s ADHD. It is often recommended that you have your child tested for learning disabilities first as they may simply be acting out because they cannot understand material that other children pick up quickly and it is frustrating and angering them. If this ends up to be the case, your child may simply need specialized attention in class and not medication at all, as there is a real root behind their ADHD.

Along the same veins, if you think that your child is acting out with mannerisms that resemble ADHD, you should try and figure out other reasons that could be behind them. If there are emotional problems such as a death or divorce within the family, perhaps they are exhibiting their emotions improperly and would benefit more with a counselors help then from medication. A child who is an only child may sometimes have behavior that mirrors ADHD since they may not have had to learn as many social skills at home since they were the sole source of attention. It may be that your child is acting out because they do not know how to behave in a group setting.

However, if you consider these options, and their personal relationships with friends and their schoolwork still continues to suffer, they may have a chemical imbalance that makes it hard for them to sit still or concentrate for long periods of time. You do not want your children to miss out on social opportunities and their education as a result of a treatable condition, so you may consider medication as your answer. Stimulants can help your child focus and reduce the amount of erratic behavior that comes with a wondering mind helping them to perform better at school and form better friendships.