What To Do

[Blackcat31]

catherder i have a question you may be able to help me with... These parents say he is only supposed to take them on school days, arent these medications something that has to be taken consistently to work?? Also the bottle itself even says take everyday as directed, so my question is it just the parents trying to be dr's themselves and self diagnose?? i guess the question is why only on school days?

Some kids have a medication/behavior modification plan that directs them to only receive meds on school days.

Depends on a lot of things, parent choice, child's individual needs, Dr.s opinion, meds he is taking, etc etc... there are so many variables that it takes time and patience to find a plan that works. Everyone is unique and what works for one child, doesn't always work for another.

With my own son, we opted to try school days/year only. He took a small dose of Strattera in the a.m. and another small dose in the afternoon. Gradually, (after 3 yrs) he stopped taking any meds at all and relied only on his learned behavior modification.

[Cat Herder]

catherder i have a question you may be able to help me with... These parents say he is only supposed to take them on school days, arent these medications something that has to be taken consistently to work?? Also the bottle itself even says take everyday as directed, so my question is it just the parents trying to be dr's themselves and self diagnose?? i guess the question is why only on school days?

It does depend on the medication. If they have a co-morbidity and take more than one med, the whole plan changes dramatically.

I do not have my son take his meds if he is not in school because he is home with me at those times and does not need to be still, organized and focused for 10 hours a day straight. BUT the bottle will still say take daily to keep the insurance company from kicking out the claim.

Shortages are notorious and there have been times where it has been over a week waiting for a re-fill...PLUS if you don't fill them on a monthly schedule, the insurance company quickly takes the opportunity to do another "needs assessment" to again, deny the claim.

It is a constant struggle...

Blackcat...we are working toward the self-regulation, behavior modification as well. Making HUGE strides this year... I am so proud of his progress.

[Blackcat31]

Blackcat...we are working toward the self-regulation, behavior modification as well. Making HUGE strides this year... I am so proud of his progress.

So glad to hear it! I think, if I remember right, you son is about the right age where the self regulation does become a bit easier and more of something they can manage themselves because it starts being important to them at that age. Wishing him (and you) continued success!! It is definitely a process and one that is tough but VERY rewarding.

[itlw8]

catherder i have a question you may be able to help me with... These parents say he is only supposed to take them on school days, arent these medications something that has to be taken consistently to work?? Also the bottle itself even says take everyday as directed, so my question is it just the parents trying to be dr's themselves and self diagnose?? i guess the question is why only on school days?

My son only took them on school days or when we had something special on the weekend he did not take them in the summer. Dr agreed. He was not hyperactive so there was no need.


Though as an adult he takes them daily. His wife would likely leave if he did not. He gets distracted and short tempered when he does not And He smokes more.

They are not like an antiboitic