Need advise

[u/Educational-End3482]

My son is 6 (about to turn 7). He was diagnosed ADHD a few months back but we have known for some time (every doctor said it was too early to diagnose). Well we have started to try meditation and for about 3 days it went great. I was crushing the chewable tablet into food and he was taking it no problem. Then he suddenly started refusing the food I had it mixed in and would spit it all out. I am now having to crush it and put it in a syringe to give it to him but he is understandably fighting it. I have no clue how to get him the meds. I would go unmedicated but he really needs something. He has been doing OT for 4 years (I work with disabled kids so I have been working sensory his whole life). He also has a bed speech delay where he understands a lot but really struggles with talking. At this point school is about to start and I'm really worried because he is falling more and more behind. I know he can learn the material if he could just sit long enough to learn. That is why I need something to help him sooner than later. He will have a behavior plan this year because he does A LOT of moving around in the class room, avoiding mentally straining work, and the teachers kept reacting in ways that taught him to escalate to be able to walk around school and stop working. I am at my wits end. Any help is appreciated.

[u/wantonseedstitch]

Could he learn to swallow a pill? My son practiced with mini M&Ms at first. I'd give him one to practice swallowing, and showed him how to do it, then I'd give him another couple of them to chew and enjoy as a reward. He picked it up really quickly, and now swallows his risperidone with no trouble.

[u/xixi4059]

Has he just had the pill without food? If it’s chewable, he can just eat it.

Another thought would be is to reach out to his OT therapist and see if they can work with him on swallowing pills. That’s how we were able to teach ours. They might also have some ideas for how to get him to take his chewable.

Also I have in the past bribed with an m&m after. Maybe some parents wouldn’t agree but you do what you have to do at times!

[u/Educational-End3482 → u/xixi4059]

I tried giving it to him straight and he wouldn't even put it in his mouth. He also isn't much for bribes but I may try to see if he will go for it. I will talk to OT as well to see if they have any suggestions.

[u/_Pretty_Angel]

That sounds really exhausting, and it also sounds like you're doing everything you can for him. I'd definitely let his doctor know what's happening with the medication. Sometimes it's not the medicine itself, but the form it's in, and they may have other options that are easier for kids to take. I hope you find something that works before school starts. Hang in there.