Why we chose medication

Titch was diagnosed with ADHD and ODD back in January 2015 after an assessment at the Maudsley Hospital in London. At the time he was still in Foster Care and looking for his forever family - us.

When we adopted Titch, we were given the report from the Maudsley and spoke to his doctors on the phone who made it very clear that Titch would struggle to cope in every day life without medication. However, as we had not officially become his parents yet, social services were very much against the medication and hoped that his behaviour would settle as he become comfortable with his new family.


Three months after the day we brought him home, we decided that we needed to look into the medication.  Titch's behaviour at home and school was self destructive - he couldn't cope.  So we headed to the doctors who , although we had an official diagnosis, sent us to CAHMS.  Another 3 months later ( after calling continuously because Titch had begun to self-harm) we finally got an appointment with CAHMS and after 2 family session they concluded that Titch hadn't got ADHD and ODD but attachment disorder instead. So we jumped through all the hoops, attended all the parenting sessions and parenting lessons. We did all our homework, had training in NVR parenting etc etc, but his behaviour did not improve, in fact it become worse.  At school is was unfocused, rude and not learning , and at home he was violent and abusive.

To cut a long story short after 2 years of attending CAHMS and parenting courses, CAHMS decided that after all it was ADHD and that Titch required medication in order to function in daily life.  So as of October 2017 Titch began to take ADHD meds.

It didn't take long for the medication to start working.  And he is like a different child. He is making great progress in school with the support of an EHCP, he is making friends and even helps his teachers out.  At home he is polite, respectful and fun to be around.  The child that sits before me today is so different to the one we use to have. Medication has allowed my son to flourish - he can be himself and it allows him to think straight.

Medication isn't for everyone and it's not the only solution. We still have to use lots of different parenting techniques alongside of the medication, but it has definitely helped Titch out and that's all that matters.

Titch agreed that I could write this post... "Mum maybe it will help someone else."