I just need to relay an experience I have had lately. Last fall, I expressed concern to a parent about their child being zombie like and off by herself with little interaction among peers. She was still having difficulty completing work even on the meds. The parent insisted she needed her medication as I should see her if she doesn’t take it.
In January I again contacted the parent about the child’s behavior. While talking about it, it came out that a nurse practitioner was monitoring this medication once a year. Mother finally stated it was probably time to go to a specialty doctor for a check.
The appointment was a week ago and this child was on a strong adult dosage. The doctor was appalled. I personally feel like the last few years of this child’s life have been wasted. She is so creative, but it never was allowed to fully come out. I could see just bits of it surface here and there.
They are slowly reducing the dosage. The girl has actually talked to friends lately!
That is so horrible! Medications are so confusing to me. Sometimes I can’t understand why they prescribe such strong dosages to these kids. It’s awful to see students with such high potential walk around like a zombie. I wish there was something more we as educators could do. Hang in there and good luck.