Medication Risks

Washington Post: Study Finds Possible Link Between Childhood Deaths and Stimulants for ADHD - washingtonpost.com

My response to the above headline is just below. Further down, I added some of the follow-up discussion from people who have struggled with ADHD.

Children with ADHD are several times more likely to have accidental injuries requiring emergency room treatment and die from accidental causes; ADHD teens are more likely to have serious automobile accidents and are at a much higher risk of unwanted pregnancy. The negative impact of ADHD on academic performance, peer acceptance, and self-esteem can be enormous -- all contributing to negative adult outcomes. ADHD is a significant childhood difficulty with many significant risks. All of the pros and cons have to be weighed in making a decision on how to support ADHD children in achieving better outcomes.

Best wishes,

Ken

See some of the follow-up comments posted in this Washington Post discussion:

Greg Sleter at 9:34am June 16
"As a parent with a son who has ADD, we did a great deal of research into behavior modification before going to medication. My son does not take Ritalin, but takes another medication and it has helped him immensely. He was not completing school assignments and losing focus when taking test. Since his diagnosis, his school work has improved immensely... Read More and his confidence has grown as well. While constant study and review of this topic is necessary, please don't paint everyone with a broad brush stroke. And thanks to Ken (see above) for his comments. In many cases this is not about "bratty" kids or drinking too much soda. ADD is a medical condition no different than, say, diabetes and needs to be treated."

Josh Rouch at 9:37am June 16
"Ken Little: you're awesome. Its like seeing my childhood summed up in one paragraph. lol. There are always risks involved when taking medication, particular narcotics but that does not mean that the risk isn't worth taking. It depends on what degree of risk. And I can personally attest to Ken Little's comment in that without ADHD meds like Ritalin ... Read MoreI would of been at higher risk of accidental injury. As it stands (or stood?), before I was medicated I got part of my finger cut off in a door, cracked my head open several times, and had my foot partially amputated by a riding lawnmower all before I was 7 or 8 years old. Then in college when my meds weren't working properly, I fell off a forklift from 18 feet and now have a traumatic brain injury. Thank god though for ADHD meds when I was growing up. I wouldn't have survived childhood socially, academically, or perhaps even literally."

Bonnie Brownstein Schendell at 9:37am June 16
"Ken Little hit the nail on the head with his post. I have a son with ADHD. It was my husband and me who knew something was awry long before school even began...and to the person who said it's soda related, get real. My son drinks no soda! His hyperactivity is not much of an issue anymore, but his impulsiveness and lack of focus are. And if you... Read More knew much of anything about the drugs, they don't make kids into zombies. That was the old days. And there are many drugs out there. Also, any informed pediatrician will have the patients go for heart scans, etc. My son just had his annual EKG...perfect results.

Please be informed before passing judgement."

Michele Somers Cullen at 9:53am June 16
Our 7-year-old is dyslexic and must attend a school geared toward teaching dyslexic kids. It's a very intense program, but it works. Before Ritalin the school said that he was being rejected because he was simply unable to focus on the work at hand (on the trial days), and that they didn't think they'd be able to teach him with that lack of ... Read Morefocus. After Ritalin, he was able to focus just fine, and as a result of attending that school, he's reading now. Our little dyslexic boy is reading on the same level as rising 2nd graders from a traditional classroom.

I understand completely the fears that arise as a result of over-prescribing drugs like Ritalin,and we had to weigh the pros and cons. He just seemed so young to be put on Ritalin, and hyperactivity was never his problem. (His ADHD was the "inattentive type.") But there are times when it truly is the answer. Until something better comes along, we're sticking with what helps him the most.

Sons and Behavioral Summer Camps

Mr Little,

I came upon your website after seeing a link on Facebook. I have been searching for information on Behavior Modification camps, programs, or specialists in my area all week as we have reached a breaking point with my 13 year old son. I think he definitely needs a behavior modification program that is aggressive and he needs it soon. The only camps I could find in the New England area are $6000 to $8900 per month for a residential program and this is not a possible option for my family financially.

Can you make any recommendations for doctors and/or programs in Southern NH for that could benefit us? I live just outside of Manchester, NH.

Any information you can share would be appreciated.

Reply:

Dear xxxxxx,

I'm and very sorry for your struggles.

I really can't wade in with an informed opinion as I do not know your son or situation. However, I do have some thoughts and suggestions that I can offer for your consideration.

Suggestions:

• Find a Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist in your area. (http://www.aacap.org/)

• Find a good therapist that will help both your son AND your family. If you have health insurance you should be able to get a list of professionals that can help.

• Learn about / look into Ross Greene's "Explosive Child" approach -- it is excellent! (http://www.cpsconnection.com)

• I would suggest staying away from behavioral programs. They may have qualified adults who may be able to help your son, but these programs will also be filled with other boys with similar problems. There is no way to be certain, but there is a risk that your son may get worse by attending a behavioral program. Children his age are very susceptible to peer influence, often more so than adult influence. Harvard Univ. published some research on summer camps for behavioral kids some years ago that indicated increased behavioral difficulties after attending behavioral summer camps. Further, an article entitled: "Forensic Psychiatry and Violent Adolescents: Risk Factors for Adolescent Violence" described the following -- "Risk factors were demonstrated to have different effects at different ages of development. Within the late-onset or adolescent group, most risk factors had only a small individual effect. In keeping with adolescent development, however, peer group factors had a strong effect such that association with antisocial peers, belonging to a gang or lacking social ties strongly predicted antisocial behavior." (http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/571434_3)

• I suggest that you spend your time and money connecting your son with healthy, growth producing, and self esteem enhancing challenges, activities, and peers that are non-behavioral: AMC (http://amc-nh.org/index.php), hiking, biking, skate boarding, and / rock climbing camps, tennis, sports, chess, Lego's / Invention camps, etc.

There are many protective factors that he will gather while attending these sorts of camps / activities while behavioral camps have risk factors associated with them that may end up being counter-productive.

• Master advanced parenting skills for difficult children (see Ross Greene, or a family therapist, or a good behaviorist (a positive and proactive behaviorist), read Alan Kazdin's book: The Kazdin Method for Parenting the Defiant Child. Home based behavior modification and management is quite possibly the most important component of a child's well-being. Community and extended family supports and activities can be of significant value too. 

• Study and understand the adolescent stage of life. Your son is either currently experiencing or on the verge of experiencing a massive burst of life changing growth. Puberty and neuro-biological changes are underway that will affect your son's moodiness, way of thinking about life, and feelings. Sexual feelings alone can be distressing and destabilizing to some pre-teens and teens.

• A thorough assessment of your son's strengths and weaknesses, of the issues and problems he and your family are facing is the first step. Once a comprehensive understanding is developed a comprehensive plan to resolve his difficulties can be developed too.

Please feel free to write with any questions or concerns.

My best wishes to you and your family,

Ken

Kenneth H. Little, MA
603-726-1006
KenLittle50@gmail.com
https://www.achieve-es.com