A Year-Round Kid

ADHD Medication Holidays

By Carma Haley Shoemaker

"Do you give your nearsighted children a vacation from their glasses?" says Betsy Lampe, president of Rainbow Books, Inc. in Bartow, Fla. "After having raised an ADHD daughter I still don't understand why anyone would want their child to have a medication holiday from something that helps them. Do you take your glasses away from your children to give them a 'rest' from the benefit they derive from wearing glasses? Glasses help nearsighted children focus; ADHD meds help ADHD children focus."

There are options to medication holidays. These options can be discussed with your child's physician at any time. The options may be counseling, family therapy, training classes, various groups or even a simple dosage adjustment. "Not surprising, a small change in meds can have big results," says Smithley. "If a medication holiday is indicated because of medication side effect issues, sometimes a decrease in the medication dose can alleviate the side effect without removing all the benefits provided by the medication. The parents' need for utilizing structure and routine is still needed; however, their success will likely come with greater ease."

There are essentially no differences in the medicines that are found in the once-a-day tablets and their comparable immediate release medications. The only difference is the number of times they are taken and how the body uses it. Extended-release medications like Concerta and Metadate CD are simply longer-acting versions of their shorter-acting counterparts.

Want to see more?

• ADHD: Is Ritalin the Only Way?
• Understanding Attention Deficit Disorder
• Attention Deficit Disorder: Resources for Parents and Children
• Talk about it!