DownSyn Forum

[ALLIGRACE'SMOM]

I don't know if Alli should be medicated. She seems to "stim" most of the day with toys, sticking her fingers in the holes of the legos instead of stacking them, rotating objects, playing with spatulas,utensils(that aren't sharp), electronic toys with lights and music. She is very irritated most of the time, she has also started to slap,bite and kick, not so much out of anger, but just for the sensation and attention. She also likes to spin her self around and get dizzy. She cries at mealtimes and cries and has meltdowns for no apparant reasons. Help, where should I start? Risperdal,Clonidine,what is the first med that your kids were put on and how old were they? Alli will be 4 in December. Will the meds make her into a "zombie" or will they make her a happier child? Please help, I love her and I want to help her. She was diagnosed with PDD-NOS last month. [/img]

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Joan-mother of Allison 5yr (DS, PDD-NOS), and Paige (PDD-NOS) and Connor 2.

[momofrussell]

I think it's a decision based on your child's needs and a discussion with you and the doctors.

We tried Risperdal first and if it wasn't for the diabetes Russell got from it, he would still be on it and as far as I was concerned for the rest of his life! LOL We recently tried Abilify and that did nothing. We tried Tenex (which is in the same family as clonidine) and that too did nothing. We now just started Russell on clonidine. Not too impressed so far but we've only been doing it a week or so. I've heard good results on clonidine for those that respond well to it.

We HAD to medicate Russell and I fought it in the beginnning. But Russell just is better on meds, no questions asked. He engages more, stims less (but he will ALWAYS stim), pay attention, less behaviors, follow directions.....so we medicate.

Your child is 4, how is their access to communication? It soundslike some of the behaviors could be related to not being able to communicate too. Make sure you address that......

good luck!

A.

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Adrienne - mom to: Regan 17, Russell 12 DS, Autism, Visually Impaired, Reece 10.

DSAGSL 2009 Buddy Walk

[Tigger]

Talitha is on clonidine but that is predominantly to get her to sleep. It has definitely improved her behaviour also but we still have many meltdowns if things aren't done the 'right' way or when communication fails. It took a lot to convince her pediatrician to medicate her (I lost the plot and told him I couldn't cope any more). In Australia doctors seem reluctant to medicate but it has certainly helped in our circumstances. He recently increased her melatonin to 8mg and for the first time she is getting 4-5 hours of reasonable sleep.

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Karyn
Mum to Nikki (Jul 89), Stefanie (Sep 96), Joel [June 98] and Talitha (DS) (Nov 05) AVSD/PDA repaired 23 March 06

"I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well." Psalm 139:14

[EAS1971]

It's a very personal decision. Only you and your doctors can make the decision. But based on what you say, I'd guess that Risperdal would make a huge difference.

A few years ago I was terrified of trying meds. Now, I wish I hadn't waited so long. Best thing we ever did for Oliver!!!!!! And us!

Your daughter will NOT be a zombie on meds. That is a fear we all have. But it's not the case (UNLESS they are on way too high of a dose or if it's just the wrong med or meds aren't needed.) If you DO find she's a zombie, you can always go off the drugs. No permanent effects.

We've used Risperdal, Focalin and Vyvanse. Risperdal is the med that we LOVE! It has helped with many of the exact things your describe.

Good luck to you!! It is not an easy decision!

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--Beth
Mom to Oliver, 5 (DS, ADHD)
and Sebastian, 4

[Tom]

We started with Risperdal and it helped a lot. It helped Mikey be a better student and more involved with other people. Eventually the Risperdal stopped working (that can happen sometimes) and we switched him to Depakote. That worked great until he started drooling from it. And when I say drooling I mean DROOLING... in buckets! Then we switched him to clonidine and Lamictal. Clonidine by itself was only so-so but the Lamictal has been good.

As to whether you should medicate, I say that you definitely should. If your child had epilepsy would you refuse to give medication? Autism is an illness and treating it with medication is the right thing to do.

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Tom

Dad to Beth ( 20 ) and Mikey (15 - Ds and PDD-NOS)
My Blog - Random Thinking
Find me on Facebook
Find me on Twitter as tgpaul

[Amy]

Yes. Try medication. If its the wrong decision you will know very quickly. I posted a new thread about out experience.

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Keep the Faith, Amy
Mom to Kristin (26) Jessica (24) Rebecca (21) Rachel (16) Sarah (14) Hunter (11) & Austin (7) DS