(Note: I received my son’s consent before sharing our story.)
The prevalence of Attention Deficit Disorder/Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD) diagnoses seems to be climbing, often for reasons that extend beyond medical findings. There are narratives suggesting that schools encourage parents to pursue diagnoses to enhance their test scores. Additionally, some argue that pharmaceutical companies are incentivizing doctors to prescribe ADD/ADHD medications to children who may just be a bit restless or overly energetic.
Diet has been proposed as a potential factor for ADD/ADHD, with sugar frequently blamed. However, research has shown that food additives and sugar might not be the culprits many believe them to be. While these theories can hold weight in certain instances, they don’t negate the reality that there are children who genuinely have ADD/ADHD and require medication to cope. Unfortunately, parents of children with these conditions often face unwarranted blame for their children’s struggles.
My son, Lucas, received his ADD diagnosis at the age of 8 after his teacher suggested it. Though we had hoped his inattentiveness stemmed from immaturity rather than a disorder, his behavior confirmed our worries. He wasn’t disruptive in class or at home, but he was often restless and distracted, finding solace only in television or video games—a common trait among kids with ADD. His academic performance didn’t reflect his intelligence, falling short of the expectations set by his teachers and us. To provide him with necessary support, he was placed on a 504 Plan, which often proved challenging to implement, as some teachers overlooked it. There were moments when I had to advocate fiercely to ensure he received the help he required.
No parent relishes the idea of medicating their child. The decision to start Lucas on medication was not made lightly, but witnessing the positive impact it had on him was a huge relief. However, it’s essential to clarify that medication wasn’t a miraculous solution; it didn’t instantly transform him from a distracted student into a focused achiever. While it did provide some assistance, it took years of dedicated parenting and his own maturation for him to align his motivation with his capabilities, regardless of medication.
Managing his medication dosage throughout his childhood and teenage years was a constant struggle. There were times he received too much and appeared almost zombie-like, prompting us to reduce it. As he entered adolescence and experienced significant growth, we needed to adjust the dosage again. A regrettable decision during his junior year of high school led us to a new psychiatrist, who drastically cut his dosage by nearly 80%. The consequences were severe, affecting both his grades and behavior, and I still carry guilt over that choice. We hesitated to trust our instincts, which turned out to be a hard lesson learned.
I firmly believe Lucas was accurately diagnosed with ADD. Was his diet perfect? No. Did we maintain strict routines? Perhaps not enough. However, it was clear that medication allowed him to feel more relaxed and capable. Would it have been wiser to avoid medication and let him remain fidgety and unfocused? Should I have experimented with eliminating sugar, preservatives, and junk food to identify potential triggers for his ADD? We opted not to waste time making his life harder when we could be making it better. ADD isn’t merely a behavioral or academic challenge; it affects every aspect of life.
Ultimately, maturity played a significant role in Lucas’s journey. Some might argue that with patience, he would have outgrown his ADD, but that’s simply not accurate. Now at 21 and nearing graduation, he manages his ADD effectively, knowing when to take his medication for school and when he can skip it. He consults a mental health professional for his prescription rather than relying on a general practitioner, and he has become a diligent student, utilizing the support available at his university to thrive. Whether he will continue medication as an adult remains uncertain, but the choice is now his.
To those who dismiss ADD/ADHD as non-existent disorders, attributing them to lazy parenting or undisciplined children, I ask you this: If your child faced a health condition, like asthma or allergies, would you choose to medicate them or wait to see if dietary or behavioral changes could resolve it? Wouldn’t you want to provide your child with every opportunity to succeed, be healthy, and happy? Would you risk subjecting your child to untested theories while they endured a treatable issue?
We didn’t.
In summary, our experience with Lucas’s ADD has been a journey of careful consideration, growth, and ultimately, success. Through medication and understanding, we navigated the complexities of his diagnosis, ensuring he could thrive in all aspects of life.