(NC)As the school year comes to an end, some parents of kids with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) may consider taking a break from medication - or a 'drug holiday.' However what many parents may not realize is that ADHD is a year-round condition, and not just a seasonal problem to be dealt with only during the school year.
In fact, the benefits and risks of such 'drug holidays' remains unproven and are not generally recommended when the child is involved in social activities such as summer camp. According to Canadian ADHD Practice Guidelines released this year, giving medication continuously through weekends and holidays may enable the child to better control behaviour and improve socialization and self-esteem.
(Article Continues Below)
According to Dr. Atilla Turgay, Head of Training and Education for the Canadian ADHD/ADD Resource Alliance (CADDRA), discontinuing medication at a time when a child is moving from a very structured school schedule to a less scheduled summer holiday routine is usually not a good idea. For many families of children with ADHD, getting through the summer can, in fact, be even more challenging than adapting to school routines.
