*Please consult you doctor before considering taking you child off of his or her medication

It’s summertime!  Time to go on a … drug holiday?!?  Many parents struggle with whether to take their child off of medication for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) during the summer.  Well, should you stop your child’s medications over summer?  The answer is: “perhaps.”  It depends on your child, what he or she is doing over the summer, the problems that may occur without the use of medication, and your own reaction to your kid’s condition as well as that of your doctor’s position on the topic.

Most children are placed on ADHD medication initially to help them be more successful in school.  It helps them be well-behaved, to concentrate on their work and teachers’ instructions, and exhibit behaviors that are acceptable by their peers.  Therefore, the medication can be very important in helping your child develop both academically as well as socially.  Some parents feel that without the pressures and structure of the school day, there is no reason to keep their child on medication during the summer.

But summer break present its own challenges.  Kids, especially older ones, frequently have less behavioral demands on them and can do very well during the summer without ADHD medications.  However, some younger children may have difficultly with poor impulse control and excessive hyperactivity.  Along with a decrease in structured activities, they may experience the lack of medication as very uncomfortable and anxiety provoking. That may lead some parents, those who find it difficult to deal with their children’s hyperactive behavior, to become frustrated and yell at their children. This can lead to a child developing low self-esteem, anger, and even depression.

Summer camps present a challenge too.  Camps can be either an opportunity to practice appropriate behavior without medication or an absolute nightmare for your child.  If they can’t control themselves, children with ADHD may be yelled at by young inexperienced counselors or even made fun of and rejected by other campers.

However, many camps are sensitive to the needs of children with ADHD, and it’s a good idea to discuss your child’s specific needs with the camp leaders before making a final decision on whether or not to have your children take their medications. There are opportunities for parents to search out various camps based partially on the camps’ experiences with children who have ADHD.

It is also important to plan for summer at home.  Many children, especially younger ones, are far more comfortable with consistency.  Regardless of your child’s summer plans, it is important to set goals for the summer and plan for plenty of fun and structured activities in a warm and supportive environment.

Also, if you haven’t already done so, find a mental health professional who can give you tips on how best to deal with your child’s ADHD symptoms.  Learning how to help your children with ADHD be more organized and gain control of their own behaviors will be one of the most useful tools that you have ever obtained.

As you can see, there is no simple answer as to whether you should or shouldn’t have your child on ADHD medications during the summer.  It depends on your child’s age, severity of symptoms, activities, and your own expertise in handling the symptoms.

I cannot stress enough how important it is for you to discuss this with your mental health care provider, who is a partner in your child’s care, before taking any actions to stop the medications.  Above all, I wish you and all your loved ones a very happy and safe summer!

-Bernard Engelberg, M.D., Medical Director

This entry is filed under Blog.