Richard R RamosRichard R. Ramos. Founder of Parents on a Mission,Youth on a Mission, and Latino Coalition for Community Leadership

How Amanda's Son Took Control of His ADHD Without Medication

12 Apr 2026 · 1 min

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1:01

In this interview segment, the parent (Speaker B) recounts that her oldest son was diagnosed with ADHD in kindergarten. By seventh‑eighth grade he chose to stop his medication after developing a tic, citing personal discomfort. The parent emphasizes a philosophy of self‑advocacy: she encourages any child, regardless of age, to present valid reasons for decisions affecting them. When the son requested to discontinue medication, she asked what alternative strategies he would use. He responded that he would rely on simple fidget tools—specifically, keeping paper clips in his hands—to help manage his focus without pharmaceuticals. The exchange highlights the importance of empowering children to voice concerns, weighing medication side effects, and adopting low‑tech coping mechanisms.

Chapters

Let me ask you now, is it your oldest son that you talked about who had the ADHD? Now, how was that affected, or is that still an issue? Or since—
so he got diagnosed in kindergarten. Um, in 7th, 8th grade, he decided, I don't want to be on meds no more. And I'm like, okay, why? Because I, I'm all about advocating for yourself. Like, as a kid, I don't care how old you are, if you could come to me with a valid reason why something needs to be a certain way, let's talk about it, right? Um, and he didn't like how it was making him feel. He developed a tic. Like, he came with my, hey, okay, I'll listen to you, but you got to have some valid reasons why you don't want to be on meds anymore. He came with those valid reasons, so I said, all right, What are you gonna do instead of being on meds? He's like, Mom, I already, I already know I'm going to have my, um, paper clips in my hands.