This one’s for moms and dads thinking about starting meds for tics or focus: If you can hold out until your kid is at the age where they really know their bodies and can speak about the effects, it’s super helpful. Sure, a few years of hyperactivity or trying out diet and supplement techniques are a pain (but yes, they really help in managing symptoms), but it’s a great baseline. If you start meds at 4, when they are 9, how will you know what their true personalities are?
Some folks absolutely need meds because of extreme ADHD or extreme tics. Of course, there is nothing wrong with that. It’s simply my theory for parents of kids who have medium to mild tics/focus/hyperactivity. And trust me: nothing helps build a parents’ tool box of character, patience, grace and forgiveness than learning to accept and nurture a child who isn’t a perfect cookie cutter kid.
Until next time, hug that ticker of yours today!