Children with attention deficit disorder (ADD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often require behavior modification strategies and sometimes ADHD medications. A common problem during a child’s transition from summer to back to school is that the teacher or school counselor sends the parents a letter to the parents suggesting that the child be screened for an ADHD evaluation. Teachers are often under the impression that if the child only receives ADHD medication in his system, his academic difficulties will be solved. Sometimes a child may simply need help adjusting to the classroom structure after more carefree months have passed in the summer.

The most complicated problem surrounding the diagnosis of ADHD is that ADHD can be misdiagnosed by other conditions. If a child shows typical ADD symptoms or ADD symptoms, teachers naturally suspect an unconfirmed diagnosis of ADHD. Children who are easily distracted find it difficult to focus on task instructions, and those who appear to be staring into space are often suspected of having ADHD. So what do parents do when the school sends home a letter demanding that the child seek ADHD treatment and the teacher suggests medication? Most parents are naturally disturbed and unsure of their options when they receive a notification about their child and the suggestion of medication.

The first recommendation is to contact the school and request a conference with the lead teacher or groups of teachers who are involved with your child. Ask these teachers to explain what they are seeing, what strategies they have used to try to solve the problem, and don’t be afraid to involve the school counselor and principal during this process. If there are domestic problems at home, this can significantly affect your child’s academic performance and act as a major distraction from concentration. If there has recently been a death in the family or a divorce, these are all very likely reasons why your child is having trouble in school.

Explain to the teachers, counselor, and principal the exact nature of your situation if this fits your situation. If nothing out of the ordinary happens at home, ask the school for a formal observation before seeing your doctor for an evaluation. Not only is a formal observation and evaluation for special needs critical information to assist your doctor in a proper diagnosis, it may uncover a learning disability or that your child is not having the right academic challenges.

If your child has a learning disability, the school must address it with additional support. If your child does not have academic challenges, the school will modify the curriculum. Having more or less challenges can lead to behaviors similar to ADD or ADHD.

The school cannot make you give your child ADHD medication. Even if your doctor indicates that your child has some of the more common ADHD symptoms or ADHD symptoms, this does not automatically mean that you should give your child ADHD medication as a solution. Consider after-school tutoring to get that personalized attention to cover academic areas that have become problematic. Just involve the child in a meeting with the teacher and ask the child for the honest reasons why he is not paying attention in class. Most likely, the topic is not interesting and the child has become bored with the topic. If the teacher presents the information in a way that does not engage the student’s interest, it is not uncommon for children’s attention spans to be lost. Ask if other children in the class have similar problems or if it is just your son.

Another situation that arises is how some children with a confirmed diagnosis of ADD or ADHD stop taking their ADHD medications during the summer. The problem with taking a break from ADHD medication is that it can take several weeks for the medication to build up in your system before it is effective. Starting medication the day school resumes is not going to work as planned. The teacher may begin to complain that he spends a high percentage of his time working with a child. This becomes problematic because the teacher begins to feel that the needs of the other children are not being met because of a child. Parents of children who have a confirmed diagnosis of ADD or ADHD should keep their children on ADHD medications according to their doctor’s specific instructions. The school cannot force parents to give their children ADHD medication or ask them to increase the dose through the doctor.

If your child does, in fact, require a lot of one-on-one attention, most schools have Title I and tutoring services available to provide that individual attention. Many parents have reportedly refused to give ADHD medication to their children for various reasons. Side effects of medications can include loss of appetite, difficulty falling asleep, delayed growth, and inhibitory behavior like a zombie.

Some parents have strong personal beliefs about medicating the child as a teacher’s convenience. The child is the person who needs to benefit from the medication, not necessarily the teacher. If there is a significant discrepancy between your belief system, the school’s request, and the doctor’s recommendations, involve more people to help with the situation. Consider additional outpatient consultation from perhaps an ADHD psychologist or neurofeedback specialist to evaluate additional conditions that may be interfering with your child’s ability to pay attention in class. Some learning disabilities and hearing problems can mimic ADHD symptoms. Make sure your child is screened for all of these potential problems, and don’t be afraid to get a second or third professional opinion.

Many parents have sought non-drug solutions that include counseling, behavior modification, and neurofeedback training. Many times these approaches, along with academic modifications, a willing teacher, and strong parental involvement will lead to success.