We recently took our 15 yo off his ADHD meds. He has a bit of ODD as well. The reasoning behind taking him off his meds is this: He essentially stopped taking them while at church camp for a week, upon his return home I decided to let him have a summer break. We started the meds up again a week before school (after consulting our ped) and within a couple days his meanness/irritability was off the charts (compared to his normal). We again consulted our ped and decided maybe taking him off would be good.
He is now into school 4 weeks and has 2 D's and one F. My husband and I are at a loss - wondering what meds may be an option w/less irritability side effects. He definitely needs meds.