Adderall & WDW

[diannaneglia]

Ok here is my problem that maybe someone can give me their opinion on...

My son has High Functioning Aspergers & OCD...he currently takes 20 mg of Adderall XR...the thing is...the Adderall helps bring him out of his shell and makes him more focused and stimulated. Gabe is very underactive and introverted. I was wondering, since WDW is already very stimulating, should I not give him his meds while we are there? Do you think with the meds and WDW, it will be over load? We do not give him his meds sometimes on the weekend...just as a note.

I am not sure anyone has any experience with this or not...but I thought I would ask.

Thanks!

 

[Forevryoung]

I am not a parent and I am not a doctor but I do take medication every day that alters my brain-

I notice your son is 11, does HE notice a difference with and without it? Since you dont give it to him on the weekends I am sure he realizes the days he doesn't take it. Maybe you could ask him and find out what he likes when he takes it and when he doesnt and the changes he sees in his life. And if he can't think of any, maybe you can point them out to him as you notice them (both positive and negative).

The thing that keeps me on my meds is the fact that I like being able to think clearly. I like staying calm and not panicking over every little thing. If he can recognize these details in his life he will also fight less about taking the meds when he is a teenager (and doesn't want to be seen as even more different)

If you want control over the taking of meds, the first day at Disney dont give them to him and see how he does or maybe bring them with you and if something starts going wrong he can take them then. If the first day doesnt go smoothly, you can give them to him on day 2 of your trip.

Just my .02
-Kate

 

[scottsod]

HI
our son is 7 has cp and adhd hes on the same med adderall xr 20mg and
prozac .5mg

we just got back a few weeks ago had a great trip
we didnt use the adderall at all on the trip or last years trip

he needs it at school helps him concentrate do his work and listen to teachers but it does seem in our opinion to make him more introverted and less happy or some times less wild but at wdw we want him to have a good time and be as happy as he can be so we didnt use it at all and had no problems we also dont use it on weekends alot

the prozac we used at wdw thats for treating and underlying subconcious type problem he would pick at his nails and cuticles sorta like a ocd thing i guess he didnt realize he was doing it so much the prozac helped its just .5 mg
doc said that low of a dose is just a smidge to take his edge off seems to help bout 75%

so go have fun you can always bring them and use them as needed maybe for plane or car trip and not for park its up to you

have fun

scott

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

I think one of the nice things about Adderall (and other stimulants too) is that it's relatively fast acting. The result is that you can probably experiment a little. Maybe give it to him the first day and then see, if you feel like he's overstimulated then go without the next day. Or go without the first morning and then after the first hour or two make a decision about whether or not to give it. There aren't many meds you can use in this way, since most of them stay in your body for a few days, but with Adderall you definitely can.

BTW for the vast majority of kids taking stimulants I'd say definitely keep them up at Disney. If your child's major issue is impulsivity then having the meds can really help them handle waiting in line, understanding why they need to walk past that really exciting attraction (because you're coming back when your FP time comes up) etc . . . However, it sounds like your child takes Adderall for different reasons.

My experience for this is as a special educator who has worked with many children with a wide variety of issues, but has never taken or given my own child this kind of medication.

 

[SueM in MN]

I think you got some very good advice.
I'd agree that since he is 11, he should be able to give some input into whether or not the Adderall would be helpful to him at WDW.
You can probably play it by ear.
My one nephew has been to WDW with us. I'm not sure what medication he is on or what his exact diagnosis is, but I know it includes ADHD. He needed his medications at WDW (boy, did we notice the one day when he didn't take it).

I have another nephew who has Aspergers and anxiety disorder. I know he has been on medications, including Adderall, but I'm not sure what he is on right now. In case, he feels better with his medication and takes it every day, even when not in school.

 

[vhoffman]

I just have to jump in here, even though I'll probably get flamed (have a deluxe flame proof suit). Why, or why, are these poor children on all those meds? To alter their brain so it suits someone else better, such as teachers, parents, etc?

Before you think I don't know what i'm talking about, my ds9 is diagnosed with ADHD. I dutifully followed the "proper treatment" path, had him on the "right" drugs. I got glowing reports from school when they knew he was on the "right" drugs. However, over last Christmas we went on a trip and forgot to pack his meds. I noticed after about 5 days he didn't act any differently, except he semed happier and not so drowsy. Oh, I know, I should have discussed it with his dr and had the dosage adjusted and/or another med perscribed, however, I decided to just wait and see. I did not tell his school he wasn't on his "proper meds". I continued to receive glowing reports and ds even made the honor roll all last year!

Also, for those of you who insist they see a difference with/without meds, I highly suggest they read "The Emperors New Clothes". Its an eye-opener!

Ok, so he's not perfect, sometimes he stares out the window instead of concentrating on his spelling words. For that I should give him a pill, one that alters his brain chemistry, and we don't know the long term side effects? Just to please teachers who won't even remember his name the day after school lets out? Many will think I'm doing ds a disservice by discontinuing his meds, however, I just can no longer justify chemically altering his brain to placate someone else. He has to take the world as he finds it, its not going to change for him, it works both ways! The world has to take him as they find him. I'm not going to keep throwing pills down him to satisfy someone elses idea of what he should be. He's a 9 year old kid, that's all! For those who think they see a difference without the meds, did it ever occur to you its a withdrawl your seeing, not the primary reason he took the drugs to begin with ? That is, if you can even remember why you started the medicines to begin with. I've seen so many children on such a combination of pills and no one can even recall why the whole soup was concotted in the first place. It started with one pill, then was chased with others to either inprove the action of the original med or counteract side effects. What a mess!

In the meantime I have an plain, average kid. With his brain as nature intended it. Only time will tell how it works out!

 

[takara]

Our granddaughter is also ADD and on Adderall XR 20 once a day. I've been to WDW without medication pre-ADD and made for some horrible trips! Since she's been diagnosed and regulated with her Pediatrician...what a TREMENDOUS difference it has made in her life and as a side effect ours as well.

Only you and your doctor can make good decisions together, but you as the parent hold the ultimate word on what is best for your child. Good luck

 

[Snow Brite]

I have always given my kids their meds when we are at Disney. Sometimes even a little extra, but thats just them. I think that because Disney is so stimulating its good to give them the meds to help them deal with the input in an organized way. Otherwise it would just be a meltdown from too much, with less sleep and rest than an average day would have for them.

But I think talking to you doctor and your son is a great option. And you can try it with and without and see how it goes.

Have a great trip.

 

[jbird327]

I think one of the nice things about Adderall (and other stimulants too) is that it's relatively fast acting. The result is that you can probably experiment a little. Maybe give it to him the first day and then see, if you feel like he's overstimulated then go without the next day. Or go without the first morning and then after the first hour or two make a decision about whether or not to give it. There aren't many meds you can use in this way, since most of them stay in your body for a few days, but with Adderall you definitely can.

BTW for the vast majority of kids taking stimulants I'd say definitely keep them up at Disney. If your child's major issue is impulsivity then having the meds can really help them handle waiting in line, understanding why they need to walk past that really exciting attraction (because you're coming back when your FP time comes up) etc . . . However, it sounds like your child takes Adderall for different reasons.

My experience for this is as a special educator who has worked with many children with a wide variety of issues, but has never taken or given my own child this kind of medication.

I agree with this, Adderall is also out of the system fast. Maybe you could take along some non-extended release that could be shorter acting if you need to give it later in the day. My oldest daughter, now 19, is on 15mg XR.