As I said before, on 2/29/12, the developmental pediatrician diagnosed Gabriela SPD, ADHD, and ODD. She suggested that we try a medication for Gabi's hyperactivity. She feels that taking this step would allow for Gabi to calm down enough to for behavioral modification to work. At this moment Gabi is 18 months old. The doctor figures we can try out the medication for hyperactivity for six months. If there is no change or behavioral modification is still not working we can add Prozac when she turns 2 years old. (Yes. Yes, you did read all of that correctly.)

Apparently, medicating an 18 month old is a little different than medicating an older child. I am told that toddlers do not respond well to stimulants such as adderall. Instead medication that has a sedating effect is recommended for younger children. Gabi's doctor recommended we put her on Clonidine. Clonidine is a medication used for high blood pressure and rapid heart rate. It can also be used to treat withdraw symptoms. It has the added side effect of having a sedating effect on those that take it. I am not a doctor or pharmacist so I won't get into the details of the drug.. It's something that anyone can Google. Suffice to say, there are a host of potential side effects that could go along with taking the medication. There have also been several reports of overdose related deaths where clonidine is concerned.

So where does this leave me, as a parent? More importantly, where does this leave Gabriela? Will denying her medical treatment negatively impact her life? We are expecting a baby in just a few months, is she a danger to a newborn? Is she a danger to herself? Will she continue to beat up on and traumatize her sister? On the other hand, is it right to medicate an 18 month old little girl? Is it fair to judge impulse control and activity level at this point in a child's development? Is she truly even ADHD or ODD? Sadly, I don't have the answers to any of these questions.

So, am I going to medicate Gabriela? My gut instinct says, NO! My mind says I need to explore the options. I am having her evaluated by another doctor. I am talking over options with experts in developmental pediatrics. I am trying a system called Love & Logic for behavioral modification. I will not make hasty, emotional decisions regarding my child's health. But added to that, I will not be one of those parents that turn blindly toward medication to solve their children's problems rather than really trying other methods. Drugs have a place in this world. They are life changing for some. And for some they are unnecessary and over prescribed. I don't know if Gabriela needs medication but I know she won't get them until I have exhausted all other options.

Until next time... Wishing you a sensational journey.