Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (commonly known as ADHD) is the most frequently diagnosed behavioral disorder in children, with roughly 8.4% of school-aged children living with the condition. Kids as young as 4-years-old can be diagnosed with ADHD, which has many parents begging the question: Should I medicate my kindergartener for ADHD?
While most parents would probably prefer a simple yes or no on the subject, the truth is, it's complicated. No two children are alike in their response to medication, and there is no true "blueprint" in the medical community that can be followed when it comes to giving medication for ADHD to children at the kindergarten age.
Child therapist Katie Lear, LPC, RPT, RDT describes her process in choosing to medicate children who have been diagnosed with ADHD. She notes, "I have seen young children who hate school have their entire outlook changed by finding the right medication. When very young kids are struggling with severe ADHD symptoms, it impacts their ability to get along with friends and teachers, as well as their confidence about their ability to learn. This can set the stage for bad feelings about school that could persist for the rest of their education".
Lear continues to suggest that patient history is an incredibly important factor and that she often considers medication a "last resort". She shares, "When I see a child in my office who has trouble with hyperactivity, I'm always curious about when the symptoms started. If a child has only very recently started showing ADHD-type symptoms, I want to rule out trauma, stress, or other causes first. If a child has struggled with focus and hyperactivity for a long time, and it is keeping him or her from succeeding at school, a consultation with a knowledgeable psychiatrist can be a huge help".
Dr. Leah Alexander, a pediatrician and medical consultant at Mom Loves Best shared a similar sentiment, "The age of five is very young to treat ADHD with medication -- except in rare situations, behavioral therapy and school accommodations are first-line management". The CDC specifies a similar approach for young children (between the ages of 4 and 6). Medication should only be used in cases where behavior management training and implementation for parents and classroom interventions for behavior are totally unavailable or simply don't work, causing a child to still have significant issues.
While many advocate for a "last resort" attitude towards medication for ADHD in children, Mary Block, D.O., and author of No More ADHD and No More Ritalin believes that utilizing medication negates the importance of finding other underlying causes of ADHD. She shares, "No one should drug a child for ADHD. ADHD is a subjective, psychiatric label that does not address the underlying cause of the symptoms called ADHD. These underlying causes can include diet, nutritional deficiencies, allergies, chronic Strep, gut problems and learning problems". Dr. Block's stance showcases the importance of seeking additional answers and working with alternative therapies to treat ADHD, especially in children so young.
In the debate of using medication to help children cope with ADHD, it's clear that other treatment options should be tried and tested in the youngest diagnosable age group before drugs like Adderall or Ritalin are considered. Professionals use these options as last a resort when other methods have been exhausted. At the end of the day, what's important is finding the best treatment method for you and your child. We recommend speaking with your pediatrician or specialist to determine the best course of action for you.
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