DS's issues are a little different, but medication is a topic that comes up often as a treatment option.
We did but DS on medication when right around the time he turned 5. He was on a very low dose of Risperdal (an atypical antipsychotic) for what the medical literature describes simply as "irritability due to autism". "Irritability" in this context means severe mood swings, extreme aggression, and violence. His episodes weren't constant but they were getting more frequent and we never knew when they would strike. It got to the point where other children were afraid to be around him and we were afraid to take him places because we never knew if he would hurt someone, particularly if he would hurt another child. And there was the time he gave me a concussion.
Putting DS on that medication was one of the hardest decisions I ever made. (And I say "I ever made" because DH was totally against it.) But we saw amazing improvement within a week. The medication took the edge off his frustration and his anger so that we could teach him alternate ways of handling his emotions. DS was on that medication for about a year before we weaned him off of it.
Currently, the only medications DS is on are for asthma and allergies. But he takes a ton of supplements to help with his mood, behavior, language/social skills, etc. The supplements help, but do not eliminate his symptoms.
DS has been having increased inattention and anxiety lately. The developmental ped has suggested that we *might* consider medication (Tenex) for these issues, but she doesn't push it. At this point, DH and I do not think the medication is necessary. DS's child psychologist would rather we work on behavior techniques and environmental (sensory) factors. DS is getting a full neurological workup in the coming weeks, so we will see if that turns up anything that changes anything in recommendations for/against medication.
Originally Posted by
hillview
JWe have a meeting coming up this week with DS2's teachers and I am concerned that it might come up as a topic.
The question of "have you considered medication?" sometimes comes up during school meetings. Sometimes as a curiosity and other times as a thinly veiled push towards meds. Our answer is always, "Yes, we have talked about it with DS's doctors and psychologist. We don't feel it's necessary at this time." This answer is short, honest, and makes it clear that mediation is a decision for us and DS's medical providers - not the school staff.
Gena
DS, age 11 and always amazing
“Autistics are the ultimate square pegs, and the problem with pounding a square peg into a round hole is not that the hammering is hard work. It's that you're destroying the peg." - Paul Collins, Not Even Wrong