Acute Shortage of ADHD Medication - Updates for Schools

The Consultant Community Paediatricians and Childrens Specialist ADHD Nursing Team at the Norfolk Community Health & Care NHS Trust has issued a letter to schools sharing updates on the nationwide shortage of ADHD medication.

You may already be aware of reports in the media regarding acute shortages of ADHD medications nationally, which has the potential to significantly impact pupils within your school who are usually medicated for ADHD.

The shortages are affecting most of the common ADHD medications and are predicted to last for the next 1-2 months, with some medications almost fully unavailable and others in limited or sporadic supply. Young people with ADHD may be unable to access their usual treatment and will need to alter, reduce or stop their medications temporarily during this time. The team has written to all children potentially impacted by this to offer further additional information and suggestions.

This is an understandably stressful time for pupils and families impacted by this problem. Many have expressed concern about their ability to regulate difficulties within school and continue to progress with their learning. For schools supporting children with ADHD, this shortage is likely to mean some pupils who were managing well on medication will require additional support, understanding, and potentially adjustments to behavioural and academic expectations during the period without treatment.

Further information on ways to create a positive environment for children with ADHD has been published by the ADHD foundation and may be useful for teachers navigating this challenging situation.

Guidance can be found at www.adhdfoundation.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Teaching-and-Managing-Students-with-ADHD.pdf.

This news item can also be downloaded as a PDF letter.