Dear Dr. Meg,
My son is 9 years old and just ending his year of third grade. In first grade, we were encouraged by his teacher to have him evaluated for ADHD. His teacher and I filled out a questionnaire about him. When we finished I turned it in to his pediatrician and since then has prescribed him Vyvanse. He’s on a small dose that he takes only on school days.
I have been listening to your podcast and reading other books by some of your guest speakers and have taken away that maybe I turned to medication too soon. What could you recommend my husband and I do? Should I have him reassessed? Try taking him off meds and try other ways to get him to focus? He’s not a very hyper child but I do see him lacking attention when it’s needed. Would love to know other ways to handle ADHD without medication.
Thank you, Jennifer
Dear Jennifer-
It sounds to me like you have done your homework regarding the evaluation of your son. If the only medical opinion you have had, however, has come from your pediatrician, I do encourage you to go to a psychology specialist in your area who does thorough evaluations for learning issues, depression, ADHD, etc. This should take about 1 hour and give you a definitive diagnosis. There are kids who need medication. I’m certainly not against it (I prescribe it) but I do think that in the US, we overtreat kids with medication. That said, it sounds like you are doing a good job with your son. I would ask: how does he do on the Vyvanse? Is it better? Make sure that when you have him tested he is not on his medication so that you can get a clear picture of what’s going on.
