“It’s My Son’s Body and Journey—and His Decision to Take Meds or Not”
My son now understands, and feels, how his ADHD medicine helps him.
The following is a personal essay, and not a medical recommendation endorsed by ADDitude. For more information about ADHD treatment, speak with your physician.
“It’s a really hard decision, but I think I will do better if I take it.”
This is a response to a question about taking his medicine this summer or taking a drug holiday, a decision placed in the hands of my rapidly growing soon-to-be 12-year-old.
Several years ago, when eating and getting heavier were significant concerns of his pediatrician and parents, the adults collectively concluded that weekend and vacation breaks from his stimulant regimen was in his best interest.
[“The Biggest Lie I Ever Told My Son”]
It probably was. While he is still a slighter human than many, he blends right in at his middle school. He is growing, so now we have the luxury of choice.
He is also getting older, and giving him a voice in this process is timely if not imperative for its long-term success.
As the mother of a child who needs the support of stimulants to negotiate the rigors of his school day, until this week I have yet to actually see how his medication affects him. I have relied on anecdotal and second-hand reports from his teachers and the often-glowing report cards and IEP updates that have shown that the medication is making a difference.
But the child I saw was from 2:30 p.m. on Monday through Friday, when the medication’s effects were dissipating, and on weekends and vacations when he took in nothing but the great amount of food his body called for. I had no sense of comparison. For the last several years I have only, technically known my son without medication.
[“They Say I Rushed to Medicate My Child”]
But he understands, feels how his medicine helps him — helps him be less impulsive, make better decisions. And when I asked him what he wanted his summer to look like, he said that.
When you think about it, it’s really what any of us would want for our summer, for our lives — self-control, tranquility, and peace.
The fact that an 11-year-old can recognize this need and seek out the steps necessary for him to achieve it gives me strength.
The operative words are “for him.” This is his body, his journey, and his decision.
This is only the beginning for me as his mother to make peace with that reckoning.
