Is My Son’s School Stepping Over the Line?
Your child’s teacher suspects he or she has ADHD. Can the school require them to take medication? A legal expert answers.
Teachers and other school personnel are allowed to share their observations about a student’s behavior or academic performance, or to suggest that a student might need an evaluation to enable the school to better understand his learning or attention issues. But federal special education laws prohibit school districts from requiring a child to obtain a prescription for ADHD medication as a condition of attending school, receiving an evaluation, or receiving special education services.
Any decision about using medication is between a family and their doctor.