| I should start by saying my ADHD son is only ten, and | | | | shoes to go to school. We never forget it on a school |
| the battle might start in earnest at any point, but so far | | | | day, because we have a routine. We even remember |
| we have not had major conflicts over taking his ADHD | | | | on Sunday, because we get up for church. But on |
| medicine. Twice he's spit it out, both times within about | | | | Saturday, look out! His dad steps in and helps on |
| a month at about 8.5 years old. Both times I invoked | | | | weekends, because he knows I can't remember my |
| some mild punishment and sat him down for a talk, and | | | | own medication without a routine, let alone someone |
| it hasn't happened since. | | | | else's. Routine is key. |
| I have some tips that I think have helped in our house, | | | | 3. Have a rule. My ADHD son WILL take his |
| and might help you with ADHD medicine routine | | | | medication. If he decides to try to fool me and spit it |
| problems. | | | | out, I will take away a privilege. If it happens a second |
| 1. Make sure your ADHD child knows what the | | | | time, I will take away two privileges simultaneously, and |
| medicine does. My son sometimes asks, when he's | | | | they will be gone longer. And so on. Deliberately not |
| having a bad day, "Have I had my medicine today?" | | | | taking his ADHD medication has only been an issue |
| He knows the medicine controls his ADHD impulsivity | | | | twice when he decided to test me. I stood my ground, |
| and distractability and helps him focus and be sociable. | | | | and it hasn't been an issue since. |
| We've discussed this many times, in varying degrees | | | | If your ADHD child knows the medication helps, he will |
| of complexity, since he started ADHD medicine four | | | | be less likely to avoid taking it. A routine helps prevent |
| years ago. | | | | forgetting. And a rule makes it easier to enforce taking |
| 2. Have a routine. My son takes his ADHD medication | | | | ADHD medication. |
| when he brushes his teeth and before he puts on his | | | | |