"My son started taking a stimulant for his ADHD, but didn't like it, so we stopped treatment. Is medication crucial?"
by
Larry Silver, M.D.
One should not force a young child to take medication. Discuss with your doctor the possibility of changing the medication. For example, both Ritalin and Adderall come in capsules with little beads inside. The capsules can be opened and the beads sprinkled over food (yogurt, ice cream, anything).
As to your other concern, does he need to be on medication? The answer is that, if the behaviors of his ADHD (hyperactivity, distractibility, impulsivity) prevent him from successfully attending school, playing with friends, or getting along with the family, he should be.