My son is 12 and has ADHD and Tourette's Syndrome. He has a lot of anxiety about different things but swallowing pills just terrifies him. He has tried to take them in the past when my husband and I have tried to offer him rewards to accomplish this but he swears that "it won't go down". I am desperate to get help from someone that might have a child with this kind of mental block. He is to the point now where he refuses to even try new things like swallowing a tic tac or small M&M or using a straw. I even bought a cup that you drop the pill onto a little screen and then the drink flushes it down your throat without a hitch. He has tried this once and it got stuck in the screen. I think he held it back w/ his tongue because he is so afraid he is going to choke. I'm sorry this is so long, I just want everyone to know that I have tried many things and gotten nowhere; so I am hoping that some of you have the miracle for me. Hey maybe that's it everyone can pray for Alec to have no fear! lol Thank you in advance for your help.
Q: How can I get my child to swallow pills?
Hi Angela
I wanted to chime in as I have a son who will not swallow pills as well. Basically we have opted for medication in liquid form or else we crush it into his drink. Of course with the crushing option...it has to be a pill which is in tablet form and you want to ask the doctor if this is possible with the med you use...as in will it be absorbed this way? We give my son his Prozac this way as well as Melatonin and it has worked wonderfully.
In addition here is a Children's Hospital web site which discusses ways to help children swallow pills or medication.
Let us know if you find a method that works for you. Thank you so much for your question.
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Thank you! I had not thought of that one! We'll try it.