As a former Special Education Teacher when it comes to Medication it can be a very tricky subject to bring up in any IEP meeting. Parents and Teachers who have observed children on Medicines have very different opinions as to what works well and the bad side effects of what Medication does for a child with special needs. Therefore, after you have finished watching the video I want you to also consider the pros of why medication may be a benefit for your child or teen with special needs.
Disclaimer: No I’m not a Medical Doctor but I have worked closely with Health professionals to know the cands of pros of utilizing Medications that can alter a child’s growth and mind.
Some Medications for Treating Children with Special Needs
- Adderall XR (amphetamine)
- Concerta (methylphenidate)
- Focalin XR (methylphenidate)
- Ritalin (methylphenidate)
- Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate)
Some Reasons to Consider Medication for A Child with Autism or AD/HD
- Focusing: If you’re a parent with a child having trouble staying focused in class then you may want to consider a low dosage of Medicines for your child. Taking medications such as Adderall is a great way for your child to stay focused for long periods. Be also sure to ask your doctor about the side effects of how any medication can stunt your child’s growth.
- Reduce Aggressive Behavior: Another reason you may want to consider medication for your child is to reduce aggressive behaviors. I know firsthand that some medications can also do the opposite so be sure to choose the best Medicines that fits your child’s needs.
- Reduce Self-Injury: Does your child bang their head up against the wall? or does your child try to harm themselves when in school or at home? Then you may want to consider Medicines for this very reason. Children with sensory processing disorders and oppositional defiant disorder have a way of not only harming others but also themselves. By taking the right dosage of Medicines this could curb their desire to harm themselves and others.
Here are some reasons to consider medication for a child with autism or AD/HD
- Reduce Depression/Anxiety: As I stated in the video if you watch it I was on medication for anxiety and depression. You may also find that your child may be suffering from either one of these disorders when attending school due to peer pressure and other peer-related situations. To curb their fears parents seek out medicines for this very reason. However, I would advise parents to try and seek out Mindfulness and Meditation techniques first before taking any pills.
- Reduce Hyperactivity: One of the main reasons why parents of children with AD/HD seek out medication is due to them being hyperactive. When children are very hyperactive at school it can be very hard for them to focus on school and listening to the teacher. But with a tiny dosage of medication controlling these impulse behaviors can be a step in the right direction and then later pulling back off of the medication usage.
Proceed with CAUTION!!!
As I stated in the video I don’t and wouldn’t recommend Medication to any parent when working with their child. But you know what’s best for your child, and I wanted to give you the pros and cons of utilizing medication for your special needs child from a Teacher’s point of view.
However, before parents ask me for any recommendations for medications I always suggest the following resources below and ask that parents do them with fidelity for 6 months to a year before reverting to medication.
