Students should not be required to take medication for ADHD. I volunteer at a school that specializes in teaching students with learning disabilities. Several students have ADHD and they do not take medicine. Their families have found that non-drug alternatives like Psychotherapy are often more effective than medications. Also,in many cases we do not know the long-term effects these drugs may have on children.
Jeffrey,
I respect your decision and can't argue with your success in managing your own problems. And I agree that we have no right to force anyone to take medication -- or even to maneuver them into feeling it is the only option. BUT... be careful that you don't let your distaste for the idea color your thinking and interactions with students who DO choose to use medication to help them control their symptomology. While it isn't your choice, it is theirs.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
I was diagnosed with ADHD at a young age... more or less... they hadn't actually coined the whole "ADHD" term yet or my family wasn't able to relate to the term. I am thankful for never being forced to take the Ritlin that was suggested. I eventually found success with meditation. I am not a parent, and I have a very strong opinion against medication as a primary solution to any of lifes problems. Too many people in my life have had bigger problems as a result of medicating thier troubles away. I believe all of these types of medications should be used only to help transition a person while they are learning and being taught how to cope with thier problems or disabilities. It is irresposible for a physician to prescribe these types of medications without an action plan to eliminate the medication eventually. If after all of that,if the person wants to continue on the meds, it should be thier own decision.
Robert,
Your personal experience is clearly a great asset to your teaching AND to your sensitivity. When we get too focused on the difficulties students are having (the disabilities), we sometimes lose track of the fact that they have abilities, as well. Sometimes, finding the right "something"-- the thing they do well -- can make a huge difference in the student's enthusiasm and focus.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
I totally agree on this topic, as I had a similar situation with my own son with ADHD. The medicines seemed to help to some degree, but it seemed to be more of finding something that could hold his interest. He wanted to play a musical instrument, and I thought this was another thing he would do for 2-3 weeks and then forget about it. But this time it was different, he did very well with it in junior high school, and then carried on into high school, where he became the school's most out standing musician of the year in his senior year.
Now when I have students that have ADHD, or ADD I try to find something that will grab their attention and keep it. I also try to observe them so that when they start to stray, I can bring them back.
While I agree with your answer, Chris, I think you missed the point of the question. It was not meant to further a political agenda. It was meant to query whether someone else's perception of what a student with a disability OUGHT to do can validly overrule the student's choice of what to do. Can we withhold accommodation if we don't believe the student is "doing his/her part." The answer is a resounding, "no!"
Dr. Jane Jarrow
forcing meds is not the answer. A large amount of side effects out weigh the bennifits. It should be left up to the personal choice of the individual. Why not force birth control pills until people get married.
I am not sure you really spoke to the issue here, David. I am sure all instructors do their best to keep students interested and involved. The question that was asked was whether a student with ADHD carries responsibility for doing whatever is necessary to stay focused, or whether the obligation for doing things differently BECAUSE of the ADHD rests with the faculty member.
Im not sure we can force any one to take medication. As an instructor it is challenging to keep students interested and involved. I do alot of lecture but still trying to keep them involved in the lecture.
Branden,
If that is a solution that works for your son, that's terrific. But the term ADHD covers a wide range of severity, and with that comes very different impact, depending on the individual. Be careful about falling into the trap of believing that a solution that works for one student with a given label will work equally well for all students with that label. Our life would be simpler if that were true -- but life isn't simple! GRIN
Dr. Jane Jarrow
I have a son with ADHD and we have not put him on any kind of medication other than giving him something to do with his hands when he is not busy. I do the same thing with my students during my lectures to help them stay calm and busy at the same time. I dont ever ask students about their condition but I can tell just from my own personal experiences with my son. It seems to help a lot!
William,
It's always nice to hear from someone who embraces the idea that students with disabilities have potential and are capable. That makes the transition easier from "do we have to do this?" to "how can we best do this?" much more comfortable. Nicely said!
Dr. Jane Jarrow
As a therapist myself, it is essential that I not only recognize their difficulty staying on task but also allow them the added time to refocus and break down each task into components of time that are doable and meaningful yet not a destraction to other students.
Dale,
While I agree that it is not our role to "require" medication for this population (and that there are some very legitimate reasons why students may choose not to take their meds), I think it is important to remember that the medication we are talking about is to help the students control their symptoms, NOT a "health" question in the traditional sense. Students with ADHD are not "sick" and do not need to be treated as being health impaired.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
As educators we cannot 'require' students to take medication. Educators are not medical personnel and cannot assume the liability for students personal health. In creating that type of rule or regulation for the educators, we in turn become the 'health care provider'.
The accomodation allows educators the opportunity to gear learning objectives to the students unique needs. Our responsability is to delivering the education to the student in light of their disability. It is not within the scope of an educator to make a determination if the student is monitoring their health as prescribed by a licensed physician.
Charles,
It will be hard, again, before you are done, Charles. As the parent of a child with significant disabilities, I can tell you that you go through much the same angst every time he hits another milestone (hitting the teenage years, starting high school, getting ready to drive, etc.). But I can also tell you that I have been there -- and lived to tell about it -- and you will, too! Best of luck.
Jane Jarrow
Thank you Dr. Jarrow,
We have identified his needs and have told his teachers to let us know of any behavior issues. It was hard in the beginning and getting much easier now....
Charles,
I am guessing that you are suggesting an IEP -- Individualized Education Plan. Whether or not parents allow the school to be identified in such a way often hinges on how well or poorly the school system supports kids with disabilities. You are the best judge of whether your son can manage comfortably in the classroom without the supports. If he can, I'm with you. Keep him out of the "system". Just remember that not having him identified within the special ed system does not make his disability go away. There may be a time, in the future, when it is in his best interest to acknowledge his difficulties.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
My youngest son has ADHD and is on medication. He does not want to be treated any different. Both my wife and I feel that putting him on a plan would not be treating him like, in his own words "just like the other kids!" We have seen teacher in his school give a good grade to a child who were on a plan. And when I have a student with a disorder, I do my utmost to make them all feel the same.
Gerry,
Your personal experience lends powerful credence to your hesitation about prescribing medication as a first choice, rather than a carefully weighed option. But the fact remains that while not all children with ADHD need medication, parents who choose that route are not uniformly shirking their parenting responsibilities. There are reasons why medication, in conjunction with behavioral management, may be the best thing for some kids. While I don't think we should be quick to decide the medication is the answer, I don't think we should be so quick to discount the possibility of it being PART of the answer, either.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
