|
Monthly NewsNote
July 2004
 Email this article to a friend
CONTINUE ADD MEDICATION DURING THE SUMMER
Each year as school ends, I am asked whether medication for ADD should be continued
during the summer. And each summer I write a similar message. I think that medication
should be used even though there is no school.
We need to remember that ADD is present all day and seven days a week. Therefore,
even though there is no homework, symptoms will be present during the summer.
Because medication reduces impulsivity, increases the ability to handle frustration
and reduces distractibility, good things can happen. The child is calmer, peer
relationships are better, and family interactions more rewarding. This increases
self esteem, which is always important.
Without medication the opposite might be true. Family tensions could increase,
sibling and peer relationships might become more difficult, and the summer with
family vacations could seem very long.
Sometimes the use of the medication might be different. During the school day,
many children take a long acting form for school and a short acting form when
there is homework. I have found that the long acting medication in the morning
is enough for camp in most cases. Unless they are very hyper, an afternoon dose
is rarely needed. Other modifications might be indicated for summer school,
a tutor, or a teenager who sleeps until noon.
There is one condition when we make every effort to reduce or stop the medication.
This is when the child is underweight and unable to gain while on stimulant
medication. Summer is a good time to “fatten up”. If the medication
cannot be stopped or if the weight is a problem despite discontinuing the medication
for the summer, other methods of dealing with the weight must be sought.
In summary, I believe that medication should be used during the summer in most
cases to insure that the child and family will function at the best possible
level.
|
