Thread: forced meds for ADD or ADHD

Originally Posted by okie

When my son was in Pre-K last year the teacher kept trying to have him tested by someone at the school. She also kept trying to push the whole medication thing on me even before he was diagnosed with ADHD. Her only reasoning was that he would not sit down. Mind you he was only 4 years old at the time. I have always thought he might have ADHD because he is very hyper but I also thought it might just be an age thing. ADHD does run on both sides of our family though. So I got him tested by a doctor and not someone from the school. The schools get money for kids with disabilities so I didn't trust them. The doctor said that he has ADHD and the doctor kept trying to push meds on him. He wouldn't even consider other options. Actually once the doctor realized I wasn't going to medicate my son he didn't want to help anymore. I think that the teacher last year just didn't know how to handle him because this year he is in Kindergarten and I have asked his teacher several times how he does in class. She said that he sits there but he takes awhile to get his work done. This was at the beginning of school. The last parent teacher conference we had she said he has improved alot and is getting the work done faster now though he does have problems concentrating sometimes. There's too many side effects to these drugs and I'm not risking my son's life by putting him on them. One of the side effects of Ritalin is heart problems and my son already has a heart murmur. Sorry this is so long. I'm just so tired of everyone trying to medicate kids when they don't need to be. I also came damn near to homeschooling my son after all this crap started with the school.

This makes me feel much better. I thought you could be forced to put them on the meds or the school could refuse to take the child. She may be fine and I may be worrying needlessly but I do think she needs socialization and it makes me cry to see her cry because she can't play with other children.

I don't think you have anything to worry about. I would get an evaluation if they feel the need, it appears that your GD has socialization problems.