I am conflicted about whether to give DD her meds over summer or not. She goes to a great daycare center and has been going to the same one for awhile and they never had a problem w/ her hyperactivity. They play outside a lot and go on field trips over the summer. I still feel guilty at times about her having to take them and think if they aren't neccesarily needed then I don't really want to give them too her. HOWEVER, there is also the social aspect of things. She hasn't really had problems making friends or anything, but when she can be bossy and extremely talkative when not on her meds. Plus all the learning that just happens when you experience things - I wonder if she would pick up more on meds then off.
I would talk to her psychologist, but he is pretty laid back about it - "You can give it to her on the weekends if you want, you don't have to give it to her over the summer if you don't want to, when do you want to come back next?" I am thinking of switching Drs hoping to get more guidance/information, but I don't know where to begin finding someone who will be under the insurance that we mesh better with.
What do you think?

We do not. We only give it on school days, so we don't on wknds, summer, or holiday periods. I know some people who have more problems with the behavioral components do, but since we're just medicating our dd more for disorganization distractability, etc. we don't.

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No, I never give them on weekends or summer break. I thought I remember when I first put her on them, that the doctor said she might do better on the days that she does take them meds, if she also took them on the weekends, but he had since said I didn't need to. Of course, I don't give her any at all now, but my son takes medicine, and I don't give it to him during summer break. He is 16 now, and has grown out of his hyperness pretty much, and just has a concentration problem. My daughter is slightly hyper, and she was having problems making friends in 4th and 5th grade, but counseling helped her with that.
If your doctor thought it was necessary, he would have told you. Since he told you it didn't matter, I think maybe he just wants you to do what is comfortable to you. Especially since you(or daycare) are the ones that have to be with her everyday.

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It depends on the med. Some need to build up and work for about 2 weeks to be effective. Others don't need that. We're on Focalin, which doesn't need that, but I've decided to do it over the summer, as his behavior is off the wall. Plus, the teacher has given us some things to work on because she's seen that he forgets stuff so quickly, and we need him to focus for reading. So, yes, I'm going to keep it going, but may choose not to do it every day.

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My DS will continue on his meds over the summer, he is 16 and driving so I want him to be able to focus. He has several camps and volunteer things lined up for the summer so he needs those meds to particpate to his full potential.

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It's really not a good idea to give medication holidays. When a child has adhd, it doesn't go away. It's not just a classroom thing. My son needs to take medication year round. Even just one day off of it and his demeanor changes. It's hard for him to remember chores, he's cranky, mouthy, has mood swings. I cannot imagine spending my summer like that! Imagine how he feels, not being in control of his emotions.

ADHD meds don't make a child behave, but they do help them to remember how to behave and slow them down so they are not doing impulsive things.

Just a small vent here and I'm sorry if I step on anyone's toes, but ADHD is a medical disorder. Just like diabetes, asthma, or epilepsy. Would you stop giving these children their medications? ADHD cannot be "cured" only managed. It cannot be outgrown (ask my husband or my MIL). You can't discipline the child into shape. You and your child will just be exhausted at the end of the day. I cannot imagine stopping my child's meds just because society is afraid of a stigma. I'm so sick of the "not my child" attitudes (not any one here, just my own personal experience).

Okay, I'm off my soapbox now. I just happen to come from an ADHD family. My son, my husband, my MIL, my brother. I've seen it all and heard it all for many years now. I've kept up with research and new meds. I am an advocate for my son and my husband. My household stays sane by little tricks like only buying one brand/style of socks because my husband cannot match them up himself. I want my child to have every opportunity and benefit. He cannot do that if taken off of meds for the summer just so he can "be a kid".

IMO, your doctor is being wishy washy and I think your child would benefit from a doctor that is more directive. Even he or she says it's okay to take them off the meds for the summer, I'd prefer a doctor giving me a firm answer and an explanation for the decision.

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Our pediatrician not only told us we COULD take her off, he recommended it. He said there was no reason to give it when she wasn't in school.

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I think if your child's ped said that he recommended it, then that is fine to do so, but for the OP, her ped did not give a difinitive answer and I feel left her just hanging wondering what was best. It's been OUR experience to NOT give a holiday. I've also read a lot of research stating that a pill holiday is not a good idea. I guess it just depends on what school of thinking you come from. I come from the camp of being very diligent about giving meds year round. I've met parents who just take their kids off the meds for the summer with or without their doc's permission and the kids are miserable.

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She is on Ritalin and wasn't put on it until about 4 mos ago to help with hyperactivity and impulsiveness at school. It doesn't need to build up in her system at all. It has helped, but part of me thinks that she needs to learn to cope with her "natural self" b/c I would hope that she doesn't have to remain on meds long term and the best time for that would be over the summer. I am not worried about her retaining information, but I think I am going to set up a meeting w/ her teacher and guidance counsler to see what she needs to work on over the summer both academicly and behaviorly. If they don't have any big concerns, I think I am going to give it a go non-med and see how she does. I am also going to talk to her day care provider and have them watch out for problems. If she does have problems we can always start giving them to her. Yes - I do wish her Dr, who is a pyschologist, would be more directive though.

I would not be able to handle my child at all if he was not on is meds!! He will be medicated through the summer. Not all ADHD children need to be medicated at all times just because they do not have the behavior probs and such like my child does. I would see what the teachers and Dr. say and go from there. If it works it works if it doesn't then it doesn't.

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