1. Ask Ward Parenting Made Simple™
ADHD: Medication vs. Non-Medication
Arguments for and against medication in treating children with ADHD.
Against Medication
Many parents are uncomfortable, with reason, about their child taking a medication.
Children are perfect and unique in their own right and “adding a chemical” is an un
necessary risk. On top of that, there are already hundreds of unknown chemicals
floating through the environment of a child’s life, why add another? Also, it’s not
clear how long the ADHD medication might have to be used – is it forever? Am I
punishing a child for what amounts to a unique quality, a basic part of my child’s personality? Medications could turn
my child into a slobbering zombie. The appetite-suppressing side effects could make my child skinny and even, if
used long enough, physically delayed, the smallest kid in the class. Also, it might take several different medications
and dosages until we “get it right” for my child – I’m not going to be part of such a guinea pig like process. Finally, if
my child truly has this disorder, might as well start learning now about how to live with it, and eventually use it as a
strength – adults with ADHD are famously-hard workers, great multi-takers, and good at overcoming challenges, after
all.
For Medication
ADHD is a physical-chemical imbalance, which then becomes a behavioral problem where children don’t seem to “get
it” again and again. Medications address the basic physical-chemical imbalance. Children’s refusal to follow direc-
tions seems like defiance, without medication, but in reality they just have trouble hearing and focusing on what’s be-
ing said. All medication does is help the child focus enough to calm down and hear a direction. The most common
appetite-suppressing side effects can actually promote weight loss, if that’s desired. For parents or a teacher, this abil-
ity to calm down and focus becomes a godsend. The child can then function in the home or school, allowing the bene-
fit of such places while protecting the budding self-esteem and confidence. Is it wise for parents against medication on
principle to take away a child’s ability to learn in school, grow developmentally, and feel good about being a kid?
Medications aren’t forever, just until the child learns to do this without help – usually around 6th or 7th grade. Many
determined children will then use the advantages of ADHD (faster thought processing, unlimited sources of energy,
the ability to multi-task) for the rest of their lives. The medications only serve to help them through the first, crucial
years.
However, most experts agree that, after medications, a strong family and school-based cognitive-behavioral system,
built on simple, mutually-respectful, consistent parenting, is necessary for the long-term treatment and management of
all ADHD types. In short, parent-child behavior modification systems are highly effectively in helping children with
all types of ADHD, and will be of extra use to parents as well, whether they choose to use medications or not.
Ward V. Halverson, LCSW-R, M.Ed. is a clinically registered Child & Family Therapist and nationally renowned expert in teaching parents
how to end defiance and behavioral problems in children and teens. Ward is also the Founder & President of SimpleThree, a parenting
based company that has developed a clinically proven behavioral modification system with a 95% success rate in ending defiance and
behavioral problems in children ages 4 –14 in 7 days or less.
417 East German Street, Herkimer, NY 13350-1028
Toll free 1-877-891-1109 • ward@simplethree.com • www.simplethree.com