In order to make an informed
decision about your child’s summer medication needs, there are several factors
to consider. The best place to begin
this process is to have a conversation with the doctor who prescribes
medication and works with your child. He
or she will have the information necessary to help the family make an informed
decision that is appropriate for their child.
It is important for parents
to consider just how much assistance their child derives from the prescribed
medication. What symptoms are being
managed by medication? How important is
medication for the child’s ability to function in a healtlhy fashion. For the child whose major ADHD symptom is inattentiveness it is possible that a
“med vacation” could be well tolerated.
However, for the child who exhibits symptoms of hyperactivity and extreme impulsive
behavior, year-round medication may be a better option. This child frequently has difficulty
appropriately managing social situations with peers. Lack of medication can often result in poor
social/peer relations thus having a negative impact on the child’s self-esteem.
Again, in this situation, a medication break might not be the best option.
Generally, summer is looser
and less structured than the school year. The ADHD child, however, still needs
structure and predictability in daily life in order to manage effectively. Providing daily lists can help your child more
efficiently manage the day. Keeping a calendar with daily and weekly activities
clearly spelled out is helpful. Provide daily activities like: planned events,
enroll your child in swimming lessons/summer camps, play dates with friends,
encourage reading for enjoyment (not classroom assigned reading) and family
outings. These types of activities can
provide structure for your child thus avoiding boredom and the need for stimulation
seeking behaviors. Kids with ADHD have a
more difficult time structuring their own lives. They require some external support in the
form of parental intervention. Planning lots of physical activities is a key to
success.
When considering sending your
child to sleep-away camp, it’s imperative to consider how well your child can
stay on task, follow directions and relate to peers. In addition, it’s
important to consider the skill level of the camp counselor who will be
supervising your child. Will these
adults be familiar with ADHD and its impact on a child’s behavior? These are questions that might help you
decide whether your child can have a “medication vacation” while away at
camp. The last thing any parent (or
child) wants to experience is a call from camp requesting an early pick-up. Some ADHD children may be more able to manage
a day-camp setting vs. a sleep-away camp. There is less stress and less for
them to manage when they know they will be home at the end of the day.
It’s important to remember
that there is no perfect solution to this dilemma. But, there are options. You may choose to try
a lower dose of the child’s prescribed medication during the summer months. You
may choose to take short breaks from medication as seems appropriate. You can
always medicate your child on days when you feel he may need a little extra
help maintaining self-control. Summer
break should be a time for fun and relaxation for kids and their families. If you begin with the premise that your child
deserves to have a positive and successful summer experience, you will be on
your way to making a healthy choice for your family.
