In an article on the ChildMind.org website, writer Beth Arky takes on the issue of medication for autism and ADHD. She describes some of the medications most often prescribed for "behaviors" (ritalin, risperdal, abilify), and notes that, in some cases, these medications can literally be life savers. In cases where children are self-abusive or violent, medication can actually be the difference between safety and serious injury.
Arky then goes on, however, to address the much more controversial issue of prescribing antipsychotic and other neurologically-active drugs for behaviors that are better described as "different" than as dangerous. The purpose: to make it easier to include children with milder forms of autism and ADHD in typical settings. Says Arky:
While parents may not readily admit to it, the decision on medication
to help reduce problematic behavior is often linked to the process of
getting children accepted by a school. Parents may see medication making
the difference between a child being placed a self-contained class of
12 special-needs kids that looks unfortunately like warehousing and a
placement in a less-restrictive setting that includes mainstream
children, where they may be exposed to more challenging academics and
typically developing peer role models.
Later in the article, Arky cites an interviewee on the same subject: "School tells the family, 'We can't keep your child in this classroom because of his behavior, so why don't you try medication?'" he says. "There can be a real pressure to do it."
This controversy is not new; it was ongoing even 50 years ago, when I was a child. Do you medicate a youngster in order to ensure that they behave "normally" enough to take part in the opportunities available to typical children? How far do you go to avoid medication -- and how far is too far?
When it comes to community inclusion, the question becomes even more complex. Some parents choose to give their children with behavioral issues "medication holidays" for the summer months. The idea behind this seems to be "they're not in school, so why give them pills?" Unfortunately, the pills are not replaced by solid interventions in the form of routines, clear expectations, psychological supports, etc.
Then, the children are sent to summer camp, and expected to succeed where they'd failed to succeed in school.
The outcomes are predictable: children who depend upon medication to manage their emotions and behaviors during the school year are not suddenly able to manage themselves during the summer. The same issues arise in camp as in school. And while the stakes may not be quite as high, the outcomes are as extreme. At the lowest end, the outcome might be isolation and social failure. At the highest end, summer "holidays" from medication often end in being booted from multiple camp programs and told never to return.
If you have a child with autism or ADHD, what decisions have you made about medication? Are you happy with your choices? Share your thoughts!
Arky then goes on, however, to address the much more controversial issue of prescribing antipsychotic and other neurologically-active drugs for behaviors that are better described as "different" than as dangerous. The purpose: to make it easier to include children with milder forms of autism and ADHD in typical settings. Says Arky:
While parents may not readily admit to it, the decision on medication
to help reduce problematic behavior is often linked to the process of
getting children accepted by a school. Parents may see medication making
the difference between a child being placed a self-contained class of
12 special-needs kids that looks unfortunately like warehousing and a
placement in a less-restrictive setting that includes mainstream
children, where they may be exposed to more challenging academics and
typically developing peer role models.Later in the article, Arky cites an interviewee on the same subject: "School tells the family, 'We can't keep your child in this classroom because of his behavior, so why don't you try medication?'" he says. "There can be a real pressure to do it."
This controversy is not new; it was ongoing even 50 years ago, when I was a child. Do you medicate a youngster in order to ensure that they behave "normally" enough to take part in the opportunities available to typical children? How far do you go to avoid medication -- and how far is too far?
When it comes to community inclusion, the question becomes even more complex. Some parents choose to give their children with behavioral issues "medication holidays" for the summer months. The idea behind this seems to be "they're not in school, so why give them pills?" Unfortunately, the pills are not replaced by solid interventions in the form of routines, clear expectations, psychological supports, etc.
Then, the children are sent to summer camp, and expected to succeed where they'd failed to succeed in school.
The outcomes are predictable: children who depend upon medication to manage their emotions and behaviors during the school year are not suddenly able to manage themselves during the summer. The same issues arise in camp as in school. And while the stakes may not be quite as high, the outcomes are as extreme. At the lowest end, the outcome might be isolation and social failure. At the highest end, summer "holidays" from medication often end in being booted from multiple camp programs and told never to return.
If you have a child with autism or ADHD, what decisions have you made about medication? Are you happy with your choices? Share your thoughts!
Those drugs for autism are not available online in any of the listings for online pharmacy review sites based on drug guides. They are prescribed but handed by the medical specialists.
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