Let me tell you a story about two rambunctious fourth-grade twins who have ADHD. Like 62 percent of kids with ADHD, they take medication to help control their symptoms. The meds help with their lack of attention, hyperactivity, impulsive behavior, and executive dysfunction. But even so, these mischievous twins have been having some challenges in school this year. And let’s be real, who wouldn’t have challenges back in person after a pandemic-induced hiatus?
Being a psychology professor at St. Louis University, their mom knows a thing or two about ADHD meds. She’s a cool mom, but she’s also stressed out because of the national shortage of ADHD meds that started with Adderall last year and has now extended to other brands and formulations. As a result, the twins went three days in March without their stimulants, and their mom was so concerned about what could happen at school that she emailed everyone from their teachers to the school therapist.
The ADHD med shortage has created mayhem for kids and adults who rely on the prescriptions. Let’s just say, parents have been frantically calling pharmacies to find their kids’ meds in stock and rationing doses on the weekends for school days. It’s been like trying to find Wally in a picture book.
The silver lining is that we have child and adolescent psychiatrists like Aditya Kumar Singh Pawar, who empathizes with the struggles of ADHD-diagnosed children and their parents. The most common drugs prescribed to treat ADHD are short and long-acting stimulants. They are controlled substances and regulated by the feds because they have the potential for abuse. But Pawar says the manufacturers claim not to have a supply chain problem, and the DEA and the FDA support that. However, with the increased demand, parents are experiencing such uncertainty in treatment, and the availability of the medication is like playing Whack-a-Mole.
Currently, there are more than 40 varieties of methylphenidate drugs in short supply, including name brands like Ritalin and Concerta. That’s in addition to Adderall, the mixture of amphetamine salts, which is also prescribed for ADHD. The FDA noted the shortage of Adderall last year, blaming it on manufacturing delays. Yikes.
The experts say that treating ADHD with proper medicines and therapy not only improves academic performance but also helps kids learn other skills, manage their behavior better, improve their interpersonal interactions, and reduce the chances of injury. Still, it’s important not to rely solely on medication. Associate Professor Peter J. Smith says parents should also consider increasing exercise, mindful of scheduling, before and after school.
He recommends visualizing schedules to help with executive function, where kids see the time and task they need to complete. Also, it’s crucial to communicate with the school team if the medication is not taken regularly. Talk to your kids about their ADHD diagnosis and medication to help them better understand their bodies.
These days, the twins are doing okay, but their mom is glad she talked to their school team. She wanted them to be prepared for what could happen and to have context for their behavior. After all, moms know best.
Serious News: washingtonpost
