Many proponents of the anti-medication approach often state that it is simply a rambunctious child, who is normal, but perhaps undisciplined. It is important not to look for a quick fix as a parent, but to seriously weigh all the consequences involved.  Alternatives to medication such as teaching children self calming mechanisms, helping a child recognize the patterns within themselves, yoga, diet and nutritional supplementation can all attribute to limiting the effects of the disability.  On the other hand, for some children this is not enough.  If you saw a child struggling treading water barely able to keep his head afloat, would you not do everything in your power to assist them?  According to Attention Deficit Disorder Association (2006), proper diagnosis and recommendation from a qualified medical professional are key in developing an effective, comprehensive treatment plan, which may include education, medication and lifestyle changes. In other words, a combination of a well-planned therapy with proper medical support can possibly bear fruit in fighting Attention Deficit Disorder.

Nevertheless, it is critical to consider medication in cases when other therapies have failed. Often it is the combination of therapies that will work best.  Much of the success depends on how well you know your child.  ADD now has new classifications of medication.  There are stimulants which are most often prescribed as well as non stimulants (ADD & ADHD Medications, 2008). Children who did not do well on stimulants in the past often have no other option. Though, stimulant drugs are still widely common to be prescribed to treat Attention Deficit Disorder, this kind of treatment may be extremely dangerous and may by a deterrent to one’s health. The negative consequences of consuming stimulants include stomach ache, head ache, moodiness, insomnia, and even death. It is true that these drugs may have a positive impact on some children, but only in a short-term perspective. In other words, as soon as the drug fades away, its helpful cause also diminishes. Since some children’s conditions worsened on stimulants many parents felt as though medication was not effective.  That may have been the case back in the early days of treatment, but now there are many options, such as dosing variations, stimulant vs. non-stimulant approach, long lasting vs. short acting effect, and other alternatives. It is not a one size fits all program.  It takes fine tuning, adjustments, numerous evaluations as well as therapy in conjunction with medication to help the ADD child.