We are on Vyvance which our doc recommended we not stop for vacations or weekends.It is his quality of life at all times.

Keep them on the meds. I know if my son misses a dose. He is not the same and it's like swimming backwards. Take meds on a regular basis is what keeps these kids doing well, it is like telling someone who has diabeties to not take insulin in the summer. Not to say the dosage can't change but for most it is much needed in order to function.

I keep my daughter on her meds year round for her safety. Without them she is incredibly hyper and easily distracted, and has NO impulse control. She has come sooooo close to serious injury and even death (tried to use a jumprope as a swing, fell off and nearly hanged herself. She would have died if I didn't see her fall and get tangled)

Most docs are recommending now that you dont take a med vacation because of the increase of accidents and broken bones from lack of impulse control and extra nervous energy off the meds.

I was thinking that I might actually cut the dose in half to see if that will still help with the impulse control, because he will be more active and playing outside more instead of sitting at a desk for school. I know that I need to keep him on his meds, they are just so expensive and I have no health insurance.

I guess it depends on the level (? not really what word to use here) of ADHD. My son needs it to concentrate during school, not to keep him from bouncing off the walls, so during the summer I always take him off his meds. The least amount of time he has to be on them, the bettter, as far as I'm concerned. He eats fine even with the meds, but better when off of them, so he has to summer to 'eat' and be 'himself'. Just my opinion and what we do.

My doc also recommends staying on the meds. Acutally we are upping Jacobs Vyvanse this summer do to the fact that his behavior is still somewhat out of hand. Also, children with any kind of heart issues should NOT be taken off ADHD meds cold turkey. It can be very dangerous my doctor says. Besides that, at least with my son, I need him on the meds, he is easier to handle.

Yes or he is impossible to deal with.

I plan on keeping my son on his meds during the summer break. It's like his doctor says...they don't only learn at school...they have to be able to learn in real life too.

caru,

My son asked if he would always be on meds, I asked him if he would want his life to go back to how it was without meds. He siad no, it was to hard before. Then he took his pills and has not said another word about it. He is so much happier and alot more stable when he is on meds. Please consider not changes his meds.

I soooo understand the expensive part... We are a single income family of 5 with 2 of my 3 children on meds. for ADHD and going to therapy because of the time that has gone on with them not on meds. When children with ADHD are not on meds. in school or not, they feel frustrated, overwhelmed, inferior, and antimidated because no matter how hard they try, they can not succeed the way that others can and do in school and in life. Those feelings can become irreversible. I plan to keep my children on their meds. everyday for as long as it is needed at any cost so that they can be as successful as possible everyday of their life. Remember, life has no guarantees and you never know what will happen next.

I don't give my kids their ADHD meds during vacation or summer because I feel that they need to be kids during the summer and on vacation.

Our doctor said that I should not give her adderall during the summer especially if she is going to be outside because of dehydration and the risk of heart problems. She has family history of heart mummurs so I am leaning toward not giving them to her but I also worry that she will flip out in day care and I know if she misses a day she gets easilly frustrated and has more meltdowns. The alterative is to load her up on water or keep her in air conditioning.

My son is on Concerta- We do not stop meds over the summer or on weekends due to the intensity of his ridiculousness when he is off of meds. I am a single parent and I can't have him out of control while I work during the day so he has to take it when he goes to his summer camp, etc.

My daughter age 7 will continue taking her meds (vyvanse 30 nmg) over the summer. This way we don't have to deal with withdrawels (mood swings physically dangerous) and releveling her once school starts back up.
Besides she was able to play with other children the other day without moods and hitting and much shouting. She wasn't driven by some unseen force her personality shined. I was so happy for her.

there are federaly funded as well as private companies(the drug companies) that will help you on special assistance. i would look into that.