I was terrified to give Liz ADHD medication. I didn't allow her to start school (kindergarten) intill she was 6 years old; I was hoping the extra year would give her time to "settle down" a bit, develop social skills, etc. Didn't happen.

Shortly before Liz's 6th birthday she was prescribed a small dose of ADHD medication. It worked; it was obvious the dose needed increased but it was also obvious the medication allowed her to calm herself and to focus. Did I mention that her doctor said that on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the most ADHD she was at least a 12?

I did not want my child on drugs. I was concerned with the side effects; I believed if I could be a better parent she wouldn't need medication. I was wrong. The medication has helped me to be a better parent--Liz can "hear" me now; before, she was in another universe. She cannot only focus on her school work, she excels in academics. She is more reasonable, better able to comprehend consequences (positive as well as negative) of her actions. She has developed appropriate "inhibitions", i.e., inhibitions that allow her to "look before she jumps"; she is safer now as she is more appropriately cautious.

ADHD medication is not a "cure all"; it is one of many tools that may be helpful for an ADHD child. We also participate in therapy, behavior modification, parenting classes, developmental programs, brain exercises and anything else that may be beneficial. The medication increases the chances of the other therapies, techniques, etc. succeeding.

I didn't want my child to "need" medication. It wasn't about me; it had nothing to do with what I wanted. It was and continues to be about what my child needs to grow to healthy, happy, responsible and productive adulthood.