Good question. Yes, we still live together as a family. No need for warm fuzzies.
By 5, some children have inch thick files of documentation. Yes, 5-year olds are not know for their attention span but even at 5, a child with severe ADHD will be very different from a typical high energy child. A child with minimal impulse control can be a danger to themselves and others.Although, as the child is 5, I would guess spouse doesn't have extensive documentation. The child would have to be in Pre-school or Kinder. Who is pushing the idea of medication? Is this a medical recommendation from the MD? Did the teacher suggest this? It does seem a bit drastic for a 5 year old. Children that age don't have long attention spans to begin with and they develop at different rates. Has your child been diagnosed by an M.D.?
While I don't disagree with you, I would be very curious to know the testing procedures done for this Dx...Was Neuropsychological testing administered? A PEDI-Neurologist consulted? Or just the PCP for the child's Dx'ing?By 5, some children have inch thick files of documentation. Yes, 5-year olds are not know for their attention span but even at 5, a child with severe ADHD will be very different from a typical high energy child. A child with minimal impulse control can be a danger to themselves and others.
While one spouse has the right to not medicate their child, the other spouse has the right to medicate, they either need to negotiate this themselves or go to court - and that is not going to be very healthy on the marriage.
But really...Before anyone can help the OP he needs to clarify his post.I feel the same way. In my years of experience thus far in working with developmentally challenged young ones, ADHD has unfortunately become a label to place on children who just need more one-on-one attention to meet their needs-not medication. I am seeing more and more now, teachers who are so quick to diagnose, rather than getting to the root of the problems. The types of behaviors presented in supposed ADHD children are "learned behaviors" (from children and parents) which can be remedied. Time and therapy for children is a wonderful alternative, and is usually all they need. I see only short term benefits in giving children meds. And only causing more dependency issues later on in their lives.
Are you saying that you want to prevent the child from being medicated no matter what the diagnosis ends up being?We are halfway through getting independent diagnoses from two specialists: a Developmental Pediatrician (MD) and a Pediatric Neuro Psychiatrist (PhD). Both parents have been very active in working through the problem including counseling; there is a history here and both sides can be argued on what to do next. I'm seeking legal advice on my rights to prevent medication, not an opinion on whether it's right to medicate or whether ADHD exists. Perhaps it might be simpler to ask, in which area of law should I find the appropriate lawyer to provide legal advice? Is this family law or medical law?
All I could think when I read this post was that if things are so contentious between these parents when it comes to making a decision for their child while they are still married, it's gonna be a long 13 years after the divorce.Are you saying that you want to prevent the child from being medicated no matter what the diagnosis ends up being?
Are you willing to possibly destroy your marriage over this? Because I can see you potentially being headed in that direction.
If you end up divorced, then it will be up to the judge to decide who gets to make medical decisions and ultimately, whether or not your child will be medicated.
My niece is ADHD. My sister and her husband tried for quite a long time to control her disease with diet and therapy and ultimately had to end up making the choice to medicate her. It has proven to be a wise decision as now she is excelling in school and her part time job (she is 16 now).