Re: ADHD/Ritalin from parent pov (long) -Reply
Mary Lee Foley (MFOLEY@UTNET.UTOLEDO.EDU)
Mon, 21 Mar 1994 14:13:09 -0500
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
One of the boys in my troop has been prescribed Ritalin. His mother
gives it to me and expects me to administer it every morning.
So far I have avoided giving it to him. It seems dangerous for me to
make the decision, but the boy is obviously not equiped to make it
for himself. Can I dispense this drug to him or will I get in
mountains of trouble for it? Can he take it himself?
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I don't know the legal issues, I'm just answering as a parent who
lives with this... If you and other boys in the troop can live with
the boy when he's not taking Ritalin, it's probably OK to skip it.
On the other hand, you say he's not equipped to decide for himself.
This implies (to me) that he really needs it.
Discuss the situation with the mother and find out for sure when the
doctor wants him to take it. If it's to be taken every morning
without fail, then PLEASE make arrangements to ensure that he gets
it. If the doctor doesn't care, then make your own judgement.
Experiment, if you can, and you'll find an obvious change in
behavior. As for who administers it: many kids who need it forget
unless there is a regular schedule with something to remind them. We
keep the pill bottle on top of the box of cereal; that makes it hard
to overlook. Summer camp isn't quite so regimented (!) so you might
have to set an alarm to remind you or figure out another fail-safe
method that works for you.
Mary Lee Foley mfoley@utnet.utoledo.edu
Software Specialist sysmlf@uoft01.bitnet
University of Toledo Webelos Den Leader, Den Leader Coach
Troop Committee Member
District Membership Chairman
I suspect the legal issue revolves around a form similar to the ones
we fill out for the school nurse: the doctor and a parent both sign
it requesting a specific dosage of a specific medication to be given
under specific circumstances/times.
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City | 
