Very true.... and since we are working with adults,over medication or medication not working is more likely the issue we would have to deal with.
Wendy,
I agree with your conclusion -- medication is fine if it helps and should be reconsidered if it is causing other problems. Just FYI, however, the concerns about over medicating with ADHD are generally limited to younger children. It rarely becomes an issue for college-aged students.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
I think there has to be some sort of "happy medium" Some doctors are too quick to give a lable of ADHD when a parent/teacher is having difficulty dealing with a child/student. However, if the medication is causing other problems, ie student is falling asleep in class, then that issue needs to be addressed. If medication can help the student, then by all means, YES they should be responsible for taking it. If it causes other problems, then something else needs to be looked into..maybe a medication or dosage change.
Maritza,
Absolutely. Our obligation is to meet students "where they are" -- wherever that is -- and support their educational goals as best we can.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
Medication is certainly not the best treatment option for everyone and in my experience should not be the only option. No one should be forced into a treatment plan that they are not comfortable with or invested in. A person's reaction to any treatment plan is as individual as they are.
Trish ,
There will always be those who manage their individual circumstances badly, and that includes those with disabilities. The hard part is (and has always been) not to generalize the behavior of an individual as representative of a group.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
Our students with ADD who are medicated are wonderful but many adults have no insurance or funding and many are not medicated.. It isn't my job to diagnose but it is my job to teach. Currently, we have an ADD student who is very disruptive. I have talked with this student and she proceeds to use the disability and makes herself upset enough to have a full blown panic attack. She has done this in front of her entire class. We are working with her to help her find control marks to help her work with her disability not use it.
Tia,
You are right, of course. The idea of the prompt was to make people think through the ramifications of suggesting that someone with a disability must "do their part" -- ESPECIALLY when that involves taking medication -- in order to "earn the right" to have equal access. As you note, not only is it inappropriate to require such invasive actions/procedures, but it flies in the face of civil rights law to suggest that one must do something to QUALIFY for protection.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
Medical procedures of any kind- whether ingestion of mood-altering drugs, sterilization or electroshock therapy- should never be compulsory. Irrespective of their supposed therapeutic benefits, it is unconstitutional and criminal to require undesired medical attention. This prompt has larger global implications; especially if one were to answer, "Yes, ADHD medication should be obligatory."
Michael,
I agree. Meds are not the answer for everyone for a variety of reasons. Besides, it isn't up to us to determine how someone will best cope with and manage their disability.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
I don't think that someone not taking a ADHD MED equates to "Not doing their part". Where I work I see young men and women trying to get off meds and become what they see as "Normal". I have also personally seen negative affects of these Meds when used by my son. Having worked in the MED field years earlier I was amazed to see how many kids were on these drugs and once asked a doctor why? His reply to me was that in many cases these drugs were overprescribed and even requested by parents to help control the kid. Which leas me to ask are these drugs always a good thing?
David,
I would agree. I would have slightly different reasons for it, but I would agree. There are side effects to the medication that make it a problem for some, and there are alternatives to the medication that other students find to be equally effective. How the student manages his/her symptoms is a personal decision. Our responsibility is simply to provide access to the same educational opportunities and let the student figure out what to do with that opportunity.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
I feel whether they do their part or not I will still do my job and accomidate them. If I am lecturing and a student is not paying attention, at the adult level of education that is their decision. As long as they are not disturbing the class and just not paying attention than I have done my job. At the adult education level is the instructor their parent or educator the the class. The decision to take medication is between them and the doctor.
Herbert,
For all the reasons you cite above, Herbert, it is not appropriate to expect or require that all students with ADHD will choose medication as a means of managing their symptoms. It helps when faculty acknowledge the viability of the strategy for those who choose to use it, and accept the decision of those who do not.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
I believe it is the choice of the individual, if they are of age, to decide whether or not something is right for their selves. While medication may in fact be great, and give one person the ability to focus and not allow ADHD to affect their learning experience, it may not affect everyone in the same way. Also, I’m not sure of the cost of the medications that are prescribed for ADHD, but for some people the cost may be a driving factor in whether, or not they may be able to afford to take the medication or any other medications for that matter.
Phillip,
My own experience (I have a daughter with a significant disability) has not only given me insight as to the struggles faced by students with limitations, but also great a better understanding of how my own responses can help or hinder a student with (sometimes hidden) potential. Sounds as though your grandson has taught you a valuable lesson!
Dr. Jane Jarrow
when we have students that have attention deficit disorder ,we must all remember these are very real problems for some students. I have one grandchild that has attention deficit dissorder. This little boy has helped me to understand some of the complex issues these students deal with all day everyday. As teachers we are all over loaded with paper work ,training and all the tasks we are asked to do everyday. I think the more we know about how to help a student with a disability the better we will be able to help him or her. Time spent learning and improving these skills will be time well spent.
Guerda,
I couldn't agree more. Medication is not something that should be required, but we shouldn't discount the possibility that it may be helpful for some students -- or look at them as less capable because they DO decide to use it.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
The students best interest should always be upheld, regardless of his or her unique learning situation. If medication benefits a student and promotes an atmosphere conducive to learning it should be strongly suggested; but ultimately it is a personal decision made by those responsible for the student. If medication is not accepted the student still has the right to learn and be taught.
Teresa,
I agree, wholeheartedly, that we should not require students to take medication. And I know that there are many good reasons why folks choose *not* to take such meds. Just be sure to keep in mind that choosing to take medication is an equally acceptable alternative -- and it works just fine for some folks. The bottom line is that it should be THEIR choice.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
