Guest guest Posted August 10, 2011 Report Share Posted August 10, 2011 My four year old son is doing well in therapy and his special needs class, and beginning to use more functional language. He still has a huge struggle with attending to tasks, and sitting down for circle time and story time. I have not tried any ADHD meds since I've heard they can have the opposite desired effect? Has anyone had success with any meds? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 11, 2011 Report Share Posted August 11, 2011 We've had a lot of help with Concerta, but I think you have to be six for that. Adderall can be given at 4 yrs. old and is in the same class of meds as Concerta, BUT oddly enough my son didn't do great on Adderall. Good luck. To: autism-aspergers Sent: Wednesday, August 10, 2011 3:45 PMSubject: ADHD meds My four year old son is doing well in therapy and his special needs class, and beginning to use more functional language. He still has a huge struggle with attending to tasks, and sitting down for circle time and story time. I have not tried any ADHD meds since I've heard they can have the opposite desired effect? Has anyone had success with any meds? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 11, 2011 Report Share Posted August 11, 2011 My son also is doing better on Concerta. As he puts it, when his aspergers doesn't get in the way, Concerta helps a lot. It is very interestign to watch (and experience) how ADHD and AS interact in all sorts of ways. We had an appointment with an OT yesterday for tests. We are trying to get accommodations for Ben for his final exams next year. I don't think the US has the same system, but here in Australia the final 2 years of school are really hard, then everyone does a statewide exam that basically determines your future for the next few years. It is a major source of stress for kids and parents. We weren't sure if we would get anything, but the OT is recommending that he gets extra time for Maths, Physics and Chemistry, and extra time plus the use of a computer for English and Religion & Society. If he uses a computer, that also means he is supervised in a room on his own. That alone is a major help,as it removes the distraction of other kids. We were worried a bit becasue the testing cost $380 with no guarantee it would result in anything. On top of the $450 for his psychological testing, it was looking like an expensivce exercise if we got nothing. But the OT supported what his psychologist, paediatrician and school supervisor were wanting. No one was prepared to believe he would get everything, but it looks good so far. All we need to do is get it past a couple of state dept of Ed. committees. The difficult part is that the accommodations are still set up mainly for kids with intellectual or physical disabilities, not for kids with good intellectual abilities who function differently. Both parents and professionals are hoping that the committees are slowly starting to see that kids with autism or ADHD can be just as much disadvantaged as kids with physical or intellectual abilities. We still have to wait to see if our health insurance will cover the psychologist reports and if Medicare will cover the OT reports. The OT thinks she can include Ben under a mental health plan. The only negative is that that will preclude him from joining the police, army, flying fighter planes, or becoming an astronaut, as he will have a record identifying him as having a mental issue. He couldn't care less, so we will see what happens. First of all we have to get him through year 11, which means somehow catching up on about 6 weeks of homework he hasn't yet completed.  We've had a lot of help with Concerta, but I think you have to be six for that. Adderall can be given at 4 yrs. old and is in the same class of meds as Concerta, BUT oddly enough my son didn't do great on Adderall.  Good luck.  From: mindy To: autism-aspergers Sent: Wednesday, August 10, 2011 3:45 PM Subject: ADHD meds  My four year old son is doing well in therapy and his special needs class, and beginning to use more functional language. He still has a huge struggle with attending to tasks, and sitting down for circle time and story time. I have not tried any ADHD meds since I've heard they can have the opposite desired effect? Has anyone had success with any meds? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 11, 2011 Report Share Posted August 11, 2011 Our son has been on a slew of them. One thing you should keep in mind is that these are medications that work with the body's chemistry. Not everyone is the same, so the results won't always be the same. Our experience is largely that the meds help our son stay in class, but after a few months, his body is so used to them, that they stop working, and start becoming detrimental to his day to day life. We 'med hop' a lot, but unfortunately, he's unable to sit through class without them. We opt to not medicate during summer months. > > My four year old son is doing well in therapy and his special needs class, and beginning to use more functional language. He still has a huge struggle with attending to tasks, and sitting down for circle time and story time. I have not tried any ADHD meds since I've heard they can have the opposite desired effect? Has anyone had success with any meds? > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 11, 2011 Report Share Posted August 11, 2011 Hello , I really enjoyed reading your report about your son Ben and your difficulties with his school work. He sure does have a good dad to take such an interest in him, not all dads are like that and he is very fortunate to have you. It sure is a lot you have to go through but I know he will do fine with you behind him. Here we have some sort of state testing but not real sure what it is. I think I do need to find out because my granddaughter starts high school this year and at the same high school I went to 50 some years ago. And get this she lives in the SAME house I did. It is just so amazing to me my three grandkids are growing up in the same house and same neighborhood I did as a child. Everything is pretty much the same only the trees are bigger and the houses seem smaller. I had plans to get the three of them tested as to where they are at a private testing school and had them signed up but then canceled. It was $100 for each child and then they would do tutoring if they were behind primarily in math. I will probably arrange for that some time in the future because none of them like math too much and I know you cannot get in college without knowing it. One of my sons is a mathematician and computer scientist, has a MS from the university but not sure any of these are so gifted. Even if they aren't though they have to learn it. My son said it is easy just like learning a different language. Hmm. I fizzled out at 9th grade algebra but did manage to graduate high school and go to the university in my middle years and earned a BS and an MS. Now that was indeed a miracle. Carolyn ;o) Riley wrote: > > > My son also is doing better on Concerta. As he puts it, when his > aspergers doesn't get in the way, Concerta helps a lot. It is very > interestign to watch (and experience) how ADHD and AS interact in all > sorts of ways. > > We had an appointment with an OT yesterday for tests. We are trying > to get accommodations for Ben for his final exams next year. I don't > think the US has the same system, but here in Australia the final 2 > years of school are really hard, then everyone does a statewide exam > that basically determines your future for the next few years. It is a > major source of stress for kids and parents. We weren't sure if we > would get anything, but the OT is recommending that he gets extra time > for Maths, Physics and Chemistry, and extra time plus the use of a > computer for English and Religion & Society. If he uses a computer, > that also means he is supervised in a room on his own. That alone is > a major help,as it removes the distraction of other kids. We were > worried a bit becasue the testing cost $380 with no guarantee it would > result in anything. On top of the $450 for his psychological testing, > it was looking like an expensivce exercise if we got nothing. But the > OT supported what his psychologist, paediatrician and school > supervisor were wanting. No one was prepared to believe he would get > everything, but it looks good so far. All we need to do is get it > past a couple of state dept of Ed. committees. The difficult part is > that the accommodations are still set up mainly for kids with > intellectual or physical disabilities, not for kids with good > intellectual abilities who function differently. Both parents and > professionals are hoping that the committees are slowly starting to > see that kids with autism or ADHD can be just as much disadvantaged as > kids with physical or intellectual abilities. We still have to wait > to see if our health insurance will cover the psychologist reports and > if Medicare will cover the OT reports. The OT thinks she can include > Ben under a mental health plan. The only negative is that that will > preclude him from joining the police, army, flying fighter planes, or > becoming an astronaut, as he will have a record identifying him as > having a mental issue. He couldn't care less, so we will see what > happens. First of all we have to get him through year 11, which means > somehow catching up on about 6 weeks of homework he hasn't yet completed. > > > > > >> >> We've had a lot of help with Concerta, but I think you have to be six >> for that. Adderall can be given at 4 yrs. old and is in the same >> class of meds as Concerta, BUT oddly enough my son didn't do great on >> Adderall. Good luck. >> >> >> *From:* mindy >> *To:* autism-aspergers >> *Sent:* Wednesday, August 10, 2011 3:45 PM >> *Subject:* ADHD meds >> >> >> My four year old son is doing well in therapy and his special needs >> class, and beginning to use more functional language. He still has a >> huge struggle with attending to tasks, and sitting down for circle >> time and story time. I have not tried any ADHD meds since I've heard >> they can have the opposite desired effect? Has anyone had success >> with any meds? >> >> >> > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 11, 2011 Report Share Posted August 11, 2011 If we took summers off I'd have to put him in some kinda in patient program. He is that different and that difficult and that bad off medicine. He climbs out his window, tears up his clothes/ room, etc, plays with his parts, spits on people, bites his hands till they bleed, touches things even if they are hot/ dangerous, pushes his siblings, hops around like he's a butterfly and makes noises. I'd literally have to tie him to a bed or chiar to get through the summer unmedicated! THAT'S HOW MUCH IT HELPS!! I had him off meds one day during the summer just to prove to his doctor that he was still in need of meds. You know the primary has seen him acting normally for so long she thinks he no longer needs to be on the meds, well.....I got a way to nip that thought in the bud. To: autism-aspergers Sent: Wednesday, August 10, 2011 9:50 PMSubject: Re: ADHD meds Our son has been on a slew of them. One thing you should keep in mind is that these are medications that work with the body's chemistry. Not everyone is the same, so the results won't always be the same. Our experience is largely that the meds help our son stay in class, but after a few months, his body is so used to them, that they stop working, and start becoming detrimental to his day to day life. We 'med hop' a lot, but unfortunately, he's unable to sit through class without them. We opt to not medicate during summer months. > > My four year old son is doing well in therapy and his special needs class, and beginning to use more functional language. He still has a huge struggle with attending to tasks, and sitting down for circle time and story time. I have not tried any ADHD meds since I've heard they can have the opposite desired effect? Has anyone had success with any meds? > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 11, 2011 Report Share Posted August 11, 2011 My eight year old daughter started Strattera at the beginning of summer. Her one-on-one has noticed a difference in her ability to focus this year (we started school last Monday) compared to last. Sherri 15:5 I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me, and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. To: autism-aspergers Sent: Wednesday, August 10, 2011 12:45 PMSubject: ADHD meds My four year old son is doing well in therapy and his special needs class, and beginning to use more functional language. He still has a huge struggle with attending to tasks, and sitting down for circle time and story time. I have not tried any ADHD meds since I've heard they can have the opposite desired effect? Has anyone had success with any meds? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 11, 2011 Report Share Posted August 11, 2011 We have tried all kind over the years for focus (including doing biomed). The best med so far for my son has been focalin. He is doing really well on it and we only use it for school. There are side effects with all of the meds so you do need to watch for any and be careful. > > My eight year old daughter started Strattera at the beginning of summer. Her one-on-one has noticed a difference in her ability to focus this year (we started school last Monday) compared to last. >  > Sherri > > 15:5 I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me, and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. > > > To: autism-aspergers > Sent: Wednesday, August 10, 2011 12:45 PM > Subject: ADHD meds > > >  > My four year old son is doing well in therapy and his special needs class, and beginning to use more functional language. He still has a huge struggle with attending to tasks, and sitting down for circle time and story time. I have not tried any ADHD meds since I've heard they can have the opposite desired effect? Has anyone had success with any meds? > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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