As summer approaches, some families wonder if their child can take a “medication holiday” from ADHD medications like Adderall or Ritalin. While understandable, it’s important to consider the potential downsides.
The Benefits Don’t Outweigh the Risks for Most Kids For the majority of children, stopping ADHD medication leads to a return of symptoms like inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Keeping them consistently on medication is usually the best approach for managing their ADHD. Brief holidays tend to disrupt their progress.
Some Families Still Want a break from ADHD medications. Families may have various reasons for wanting a medication break, like:
- Thinking the child has outgrown the need for medication
- Concerns about side effects like weight loss
- Wanting a break since it’s summer and less academic focus is needed
If a family feels strongly about trying a break, it can be considered – but with conditions.
How to Safely Try a Medication Holiday If you decide to try stopping medication temporarily:
- Discuss the likely re-emergence of ADHD symptoms and make a plan for what you’ll do if that occurs
- Look at the child’s summer activities – a medicated state may help them get more enjoyment and stay safer
- Set a specific time frame, like 1-2 weeks at first
- Identify ahead of time what behaviors would signal it’s time to restart medication
- Schedule a check-in to re-evaluate whether the break is still advisable
- Be prepared to restart medication if problematic symptoms return
The bottom line: Medication holidays aren’t ideal and come with risks of reversed progress. But some families still want to try. Close monitoring is essential to minimize disruption if ADHD symptoms return.
As you know, we will continue to see your child through the Summer via telemedicine or in person.
-
Top 10 Newborn Baby Gifts Every Parent Will Love
Loading the Elevenlabs Text to Speech AudioNative Player…Welcoming a newborn is one of life’s most exciting and heartwarming experiences. However, choosing newborn baby gifts seems overwhelming. With so many choices on the market, find something adorable yet practical and long-lasting for a new baby and their parents. Gifts that make life easier for the parents…
-
Understanding And Managing Childhood Diabetes
Loading the Elevenlabs Text to Speech AudioNative Player…Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects millions of people worldwide, including children. Managing childhood diabetes requires a comprehensive approach that involves understanding the different types of diabetes, promoting a healthy lifestyle, and implementing appropriate prevention and management strategies. Here is an in-depth look at childhood diabetes, its…
-
Why Newborn Baby Hiccups? Understanding the 5 Causes and Solutions
Loading the Elevenlabs Text to Speech AudioNative Player…As a new parent, it comes naturally to pay close attention to every little sound or movement your newborn makes. One common experience that surprises parents is hearing their newborn baby hiccups. While baby hiccups are normal, they can be concerning if you don’t know what’s causing them…
-
Newborn Baby Without Eyebrows: Is It Normal? What Parents Should Know
Loading the Elevenlabs Text to Speech AudioNative Player…Especially for new parents, you marvel at every tiny feature your newborn baby has. You observe every little movement, every sound, and you can’t help but notice how soft and delicate their skin is. One thing that can catch your eye is when your newborn baby without eyebrows.…
-
12 Best Toys for Newborn Baby Vision
Loading the Elevenlabs Text to Speech AudioNative Player…A newborn experiences the world differently, relying heavily on their senses to learn about and their surroundings. Among these senses, vision is one of the most critical for their growth and development. However, newborn vision is not fully developed at birth—it takes months for their eyes and brain…
