Oh - this is my thing - analogies!!! I am good at comparing one thing with another - I used to teach and this skill came in handy!
Ok - to tell a child what the medication is for and what it does.
I like to compare ADHD like a kid with bad eyesight. When a child with ADHD looks around - things are blurry and it's harder to do things. They want to do something and the ADHD makes it harder to do it than other kids whose brain is not like ours.
Medication is like glasses for kids who have trouble thinking. It goes into our mind and helps us see and do things clear like other people. It makes all the things that seem really hard seem easy like it is for other kids.
So every time where they say something that used to come out wrong - the medication helps to make them see what they can say right. When they feel like they have to talk when the teacher says it's not time to talk - the meds help them see that they can slow down and know they can talk later and it's not so bad.
When they used to feel like running around the class - the medication helps them see that there's going to be time to run at recess and lunch - so it feel ok to sit and listen. When they play or work with the other kids in a group - the meds help them see how to share and be able to get along way better.
It's important to let the child know that the medication is there to help them. It's not to make them different - but to let them be the happiest kid they can be! It's not because they are bad - but because some kids need a little help to make school and play enjoyable instead of scary and lonely.
I hope this works - I find that comparing it to something they see with other kids like glasses (you could use braces or other corrective tools I guess) that they know it's not a punishment or something to make them unhappy - but to make them be as happy and as much like the other kids are as possible! Being smart and active and independent only goes so far. To be one of the kids - I would give up a lot to go back and get that instead.
[/QUOTE]
I love the analogies and will use them. Thank you everyone. The big day is tommorow.
How to explain the med to a 6 year old? I was thinking about a med to help you but she does not realize she is having difficulties. Although the med will begin this week I will not explain the truth to her until two weeks from now because the psychologist wants a blind study and not let the school know. My girl tells all very friendly. The positive she takes allergy meds so it is a new allergy med for now. Uggg what we have to go through.I don't know for sure because I havent been put in that position, all I can think of is what I would tell my son if we found out he needed meds.
I would actually ask her if she noticed anything different at school. Is she getting more work done? How is school going, what do you like or dont like.. 6 yr olds can tell you a lot more than you think
If the med has been a positive experience for her, and it is making a big difference then...
I would say that " you are using this to help you make good choices." You are making the choices, you are the one doing the work and making the good grades. But the medicine helps you choose to work hard or not work hard, because you are in control of what you do." then ask her what she thinks about that.. answer all her questions then go from there...
Hope this at least provides an idea, good luck.
SHerry
Oh - this is my thing - analogies!!! I am good at comparing one thing with another - I used to teach and this skill came in handy!
Ok - to tell a child what the medication is for and what it does.
I like to compare ADHD like a kid with bad eyesight. When a child with ADHD looks around - things are blurry and it's harder to do things. They want to do something and the ADHD makes it harder to do it than other kids whose brain is not like ours.
Medication is like glasses for kids who have trouble thinking. It goes into our mind and helps us see and do things clear like other people. It makes all the things that seem really hard seem easy like it is for other kids.
So every time where they say something that used to come out wrong - the medication helps to make them see what they can say right. When they feel like they have to talk when the teacher says it's not time to talk - the meds help them see that they can slow down and know they can talk later and it's not so bad.
When they used to feel like running around the class - the medication helps them see that there's going to be time to run at recess and lunch - so it feel ok to sit and listen. When they play or work with the other kids in a group - the meds help them see how to share and be able to get along way better.
It's important to let the child know that the medication is there to help them. It's not to make them different - but to let them be the happiest kid they can be! It's not because they are bad - but because some kids need a little help to make school and play enjoyable instead of scary and lonely.
I hope this works - I find that comparing it to something they see with other kids like glasses (you could use braces or other corrective tools I guess) that they know it's not a punishment or something to make them unhappy - but to make them be as happy and as much like the other kids are as possible! Being smart and active and independent only goes so far. To be one of the kids - I would give up a lot to go back and get that instead.
Our son new he was different at that age and asked Mom why am I different then most kids. He also has a ear that is not well formed either so this was braught to him by peers. Tell a child to better concentrate with school work. This is what we said when we tryed medacine with his.