How Can I Get My Daughter Meds for ADHD?

My daughter's teacher suggested she get medication for ADHD. Her grades are terrible and her behavior is out of control at school. This has been happening for, like, two years now. She's in seventh grade. Her teacher and some other people in my family told me that Ritalin can help big time with kids like her with ADHD. Helping them focus and do better in school, I mean. I'm ready to try this to help her, but how do I get her those medications? The teacher said the school counselor or nurse can't do that. What do I do to get her the meds, and how much will it cost me? I have insurance through my work, but have never used it for mental problems. Thanks. —Desperate
Dear Desperate,

Let’s take a closer look at attention-deficit hyperactivity (ADHD). The National Institute of Mental Health says it is “one of the most common childhood brain disorders”; it generally appears in childhood and can continue throughout life. You say your daughter started having problems about two years ago. I wonder what, if anything, else happened then—if she had a difficult experience, if there was a family disruption, something else she is reacting to. It seems like everything was OK until about the fifth grade, is that right? It might not hurt to think about her history a little bit. And let’s talk about what ADHD means, since that’s what the teacher suspects. Did previous teachers ever say anything about it?

I hope my answers are not too detailed. I want to make sure your daughter is properly diagnosed and treated. It’s important to be careful before prescribing medications to children, especially a controlled substance such as Ritalin.

Definition of ADHD

People with ADHD have trouble paying attention, controlling their behavior, and are often hyperactive. These symptoms are also associated with anxiety.

Some Causes of ADHD

1. ADHD sometimes runs in families. Are you aware of relatives who might have ADHD?
2. Environmental factors may also play a part. Pollution, for example, or lead poisoning, which commonly happens when people are exposed to the lead sometimes found in paint or in plumbing fixtures, like water pipes in older buildings.
3. Maturational factors may also play a part. Some children just grow up faster than others, who may not be ready to meet the demands of school.

How Do You Know If Your Child Has ADHD?

It’s not easy to tell. Start by talking to your pediatrician, who will refer you to a mental health expert. Together they will determine if your child is experiencing ADHD or if there is something else going on.

What Happens After You See Your Pediatrician?

After a thorough examination, your child’s doctor will contact a specialist. The specialist will want to look at school records and perhaps talk to the adults who know your child best: you, of course, other important family members, plus any teachers, coaches, or babysitters who know your child well. Your daughter might also be given exams to determine if there is a learning difficulty. It’s important to look at all aspects of her life carefully to make sure she gets the right treatment.

Other Things That Might Be Going On

Again, only a trained specialist can pinpoint exactly what’s going on with your daughter. But if ADHD isn’t the root of the issue, here are some other possibilities. (I’d encourage you not to jump to conclusions about anything on this list; it’s simply a list of issues that sometimes mask as ADHD.)

1. Undetected seizure disorder
2. Hearing problems
3. Visual problems
4. A medical problem that causes behavior that looks like ADHD
5. A learning disability, such as dyslexia, which makes it hard to read, write, and spell. (It has nothing to do with intelligence.)
6. Anxiety or depression. Often, people don’t think children can have emotional issues of this nature, but they can (and can be helped).
7. Bipolar: severe mood swings
8. Oppositional defiance, which manifests as a stubborn, rebellious child who likes arguing with adults and refuses to obey the rules
9. Conduct problems
10. Family problems, such as death, divorce, or financial difficulties

What Will This Cost?

I wish I could guide you on cost. It likely depends on your insurance policy, and it might be a good idea to do some comparison shopping. Some sources say that a month’s supply of generic Ritalin costs under $30. Here’s a list of medications sometimes used to treat ADHD:

• Adderall (amphetamine)
• Adderall XR (amphetamine extended release)
• Concerta (methylphenidate long-acting)
• Daytrana (methylphenidate patch)
• Desoxyn (methamphetamine hydrochloride)
• Dexedrine (dextroamphetamine)
• Dextrostat (dextroamphetamine)
• Focalin (dexmethylphenidate)
• Focalin XR (dexmethylphenidate extended release)
• Metadate ER (methylphenidate extended release)
• Metadate CD (methylphenidate extended release)
• Methylin (methylphenidate oral solution and chewable tablets)
• Ritalin (methylphenidate)
• Ritalin SR (methylphenidate extended release)
• Ritalin LA (methylphenidate long-acting)
• Strattera (atomoxetine)
• Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate)

I hope I haven’t given you more answers than you expected. I don’t want to make this difficult experience even harder, but I do want to make sure you have all the information you need so you can take the best care of your daughter.

I wish you both a clear and successful road together.

Take care,
Lynn