I noticed that a few of you were discussing pill taking under swags92's post about insurance companies.
I just wanted to share how we taught our son to take pills - we did it after we had an incident with him taking his focalin xr in applesauce, and we think that some of the extended release capsules got crushed in his mouth and he ended up getting most of the meds in the morning (making him a zombie) and almost none in the afternoon (like he was on no meds at all).
Anyway, we practiced one night, and after a few tries, he got it perfect. We used root beer (I have heard that the carbonation helps? Plus, he almost never gets soda so it was cool for him) and I cut up small pieces of fruit snacks. Once he got the hang of swallowing them, I used small pieces of pretzels, because they are harder and I wanted him to get used to the feel of swallowing something harder. The next morning, we used root beer and the pill...and he has gotten every single one down since. He is so proud of himself!
I hope that this helps! I have also heard that soda through a staw can help, but it didn't work for my son.
My dr recommended practicing with M&M minis first and using a straw to suck the water/drink in to wash it down.We did not have such a problem for my child hated chew tablets and my husband taught her how to swallow using tic tacs and she loves it. She has mastered during allergy season swallowing Zertec and a ritalin together and is proud of self. Good for you. i have to add she is no longer on meds this year due to a University study she is involved in but not for long.