Time to Change Medications

A lot of kiddos with ASD* will be medicated at some point. Sometimes for aggression, depression, ADD, ADHD, Tourettes Syndrome, or any of a number of disorders that can affect someone one the spectrum. Anytime spectrum kiddos are on a special diet; using vitamins and/or minerals; have set routines; or take medications in any combination - to help control issues that interfere with their living and learning, it can be called an "autism cocktail".

Like many people who take medications for a while, sometimes they will stop working the way they should. Sometimes they need to be adjusted other times they need to be changed all together. Also, it can be very difficult to find the right medications because there are several cross-over behaviors (the same behaviors can be attributed to several disorders).

I have heard many parents talk about having to use medications for their kiddos, both stereotypical and autistic, with varying results. Some have to try many different types of medications before finding one that works for them. Others find the right medication almost immediately. Then there are those who give up trying to find a medication because they have seen no success. Sometimes it's because a person needs more than one medication used in concert with another or others to get the right effect.

We were so happy to have the boys medications work from the first try. However, now we have hit the point that the ADHD* medication is no longer working... for either of them. We saw their doctor and hoped it was as simple as needing a change in the dosage. We tried the new dose over the Thanksgiving holiday, unfortunately it didn't work. They have been off the medication for almost a week now and we've noticed something we hadn't before... their personalities had actually been different when they were on the medication. Not because they would stay seated (at least longer than before) and focus better - well better than without the medication. We didn't notice at first, but their personality "shifted" - they actually acted different. They weren't as happy as without the medication, and they would get frustrated more often when the medicine wore off - which made them more "weepy".

Now it's time to look for a new medication. I really wish they could get away with no medicine at all, but for them, there really is not a choice at this point anyway. I've watched them work, both with and without medication, and it's like night and day. When they are able to focus better, they retain more information. This probably isn't new information for many people, but it kind of is for me. I am always looking for new information, new ways of treating things without more chemicals (when possible). But, I'm also realistic enough to realize that sometimes we simply have things missing in our bodies that need help.

So for now anyway, we'll work with the doctor to find something that will work and hopefully not affect their personality. (If that will be possible... and I believe it is).

From a mother's heart - I hope for a day when kiddos on the spectrum won't need medication on a regular basis... or at all. Until that day, we continue to do whatever we can to help our kiddos function to the best of their ability.
God Bless!



*ASD (autistic spectrum disorder); ADHD (attention deficit hyper-activity disorder)