Teacher Wants to Medicate Pre-Schooler

Specialties School

Published

So my school has all day preschool, and some of these kid are BARELY 4 years old. A parent came to me yesterday upset because the teacher told her she needed to take her son (turned four barely a month ago) to the doctor because he can't stay on task, sit still,or follow directions in class. WHAT??

I thought pre-school was about getting them ready for school, and teaching them these skills? I think it's absolutely ABSURD to jump to medication for a PK4 child in the second week of school.

The mom said she didn't want to drug her son, I assured her I would help her advocate for her son. I was just completely caught off guard. Is it normal for them to jump so quickly to eval/drugs?

Specializes in Community Health/School Nursing.

In 2015 the going phrase for teachers to the school nurses, "You medicate them, we educate them". Medication is always the solution....or essential oils. *sigh*

Up Vote Up Vote ×
In 2015 the going phrase for teachers to the school nurses, "You medicate them, we educate them". Medication is always the solution....or essential oils. *sigh*

Nothing wrong with doing what works.

Letting a child languish and feel that they are inferior because they can't keep up and can't make friends is just fricking cruel.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.
In 2015 the going phrase for teachers to the school nurses, "You medicate them, we educate them". Medication is always the solution....or essential oils. *sigh*

ESSENTIAL OILS!!!! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO !!!!!!!!! :dead: Well, they do smell good.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
ESSENTIAL OILS!!!! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO !!!!!!!!! :dead: Well, they do smell good.

I like the good smelling ones. Pseudo-science or not, they make the world smell better.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in critical care.
In 2015 the going phrase for teachers to the school nurses, "You medicate them, we educate them". Medication is always the solution....or essential oils. *sigh*

Attitudes like this create resistance to those who legitimately seek and require treatment.

As a parent of an ADHD child, I can't tell you how often I get told how my son should be treated. Everyone under the son thinks their opinions on my child's medical needs are welcome, and they most definitely voice them.

Would you share the same disdain for someone treating depression? Bipolar? Schizophrenia? If you took the time to LEARN about this condition you feel justified to express an opinion on, you would learn that ADHD is about neurotransmitters, just as the above listed MIs are.

Every person who expresses opinions as you have here always seems to have stories, too. They will tell you about the kid who just needed more playtime; the kid whose ADHD was CURED!!!!! by going organic and avoiding food dyes; the kid who was just acting out; the kid who was given so many medications that he was "strung out"-looking all the time.

Meet my boy. Meet my boy when he forgets his medication. Watch him suffer. Watch his body move so much that he develops muscle pain. Watch him violate the space of others repeatedly, unable to stop. Watch him completely tune out the world. Watch him be unable to sleep literally for days, because he both lacks the ability to sit still long enough but because he also does not produce melatonin naturally. Watch him be completely unable to function purposefully in his environment, at home or in school. Watch him injure himself and break things he loves because he just can't stop.

Then, meet my boy again. Meet him when he's remembered his meds. Watch him in his healthy, treasured friendships. Watch him excel in the classroom. Watch him find meaning in new experiences. Watch him think clearly. Watch him sleep. Watch him love. Watch him create. Watch him find happiness. Watch him remain safe.

ADHD is real and affects way too many children to sit back and see those within nursing deny its legitimacy. These kids NEED us to advocate for them. Giving an eye roll at the idea a kid will be medicated to be successful at school hurts the efforts we make to get kids early diagnosis and early intervention.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Get 'em, Mama Bear.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I can't emphasize enough how on point the previous posters have been, but also, recommending a visit with an MD does not necessarily mean medication. We went two years with behavioral modification and environmental cueing with my youngest son before even considering medication. His neuropsychologist is excellent at creating patterns, routines, and reducing stimulus in his surroundings.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment