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Essay - should a child be medicated for ADHD?
English Composition II (ENG123)
Southern New Hampshire University
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Southern New Hampshire University
ENG-123-Q6478 English Composition II 21EW
Melissa Breece August 11, 2021
As someone with ADHD, I hope to show that medicating a child under 12 can affect how that child develops and that behavioral therapy is a better option. Behavior therapy can give parents and children the tools needed to handle the changes that ADHD can cause. Learning to focus your attention is one of the best alternate options to medications. However, I have found through my research that medication and therapy together is the best option. A study I found states, "The 2011 AHRQ systematic review highlighted the benefit of psychostimulants for children 6 - 12 years of age with ADHD for up to 24 months and found that adding psychosocial/behavioral interventions to psychostimulants is more effective than psychosocial/behavioral interventions alone for children with ADHD and oppositional defiant disorder." (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Diagnosis and Treatment in Children and Adolescents, SYSTEMATIC REVIEW, January 25, 2018)
When I started this paper, I had my own personal opinion, however, through my research, I have changed my way of thinking. I now think that a combination of behavioral therapy and medication, if it cannot be avoided, is the best option. If you have or know someone with ADHD, you know how confusing and frustrating it can be. I have been living with ADHD for over 40 years, and I can tell you that the ability to handle the behavioral changes and not focus can be frustrating and lead to even more problems. The therapy I feel that would help your child the most is behavioral therapy, and if the symptoms are severe, then, and only then, should medication be considered. As a parent with a child that has ADHD also, you need a whole toolbox of options to help them learn to handle the ups and downs of ADHD. Some of those tools could be behavioral therapy, distractions, and medications. Some doctors and parents
how severe their symptoms were, compared with children who took a placebo." ( WebMD, LLC.) This, along with exercise, playing outside with friends, food, and nutritional therapy can change a child's behaviors without medication.
In conclusion, I feel that medications should not be used in children 6- even though it has been proven to help. I feel that most children do not need medications to combat ADHD. The evidence proves that medication alone is not the best option.
Methylphenidate for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents - assessment of adverse events in non-randomised studies - PubMed (nih)
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Diagnosis and Treatment in Children and SYSTEMATIC REVIEW January 25, 2018 Adolescents
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Diagnosis and Treatment inHealth Care Program (ahrq) Children and Adolescents | Effective
2021 WebMD, LLC. The Feingold Diet and other Alternative Treatments for ADHD (webmd)
Essay - should a child be medicated for ADHD?
Course: English Composition II (ENG123)
University: Southern New Hampshire University
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