Re: AS son; attention problems

April 21, 2005

I have tried reflexology with my son and it tends to relax him.

April 21, 2005

Hi fenwick,

My son is also 9 and he has ADHD also with his Asperger's. He is very...

hyperactive and is easily distracted. When he was in public school they were

supposed to provide sensory breaks for him too as instructed by his OT in his

IEP. But, this year I think his teacher wasn't very good about doing that and

we recently pulled him out of school to homeschool.

I am also curious if anyone that has a child with concentration/ attention

problems that have benefited from the diet. We haven't tried it with Ben yet

but are thinking of giving it a try. I just worry because he is a very very

picky eater so I wonder if I can get him to eat well. Also, does anyone know if

there is anything natural that might curb the hyperactivity because we have

deicided not to use stimulants for this. Just this week he has been having some

sleeping problems too and I have heard of the melatonin but haven't tried it

yet. I may pick some up to see if it will help.

Becky

fenwick1969 <bing2004@...> wrote:

Thanks to those who have replied to my post about my 9-year-old's

concentration and behavior problems in school. I agree with

and Laurie that he certainly does need sensory breaks; his

teachers are very inconsistent about this sort of thing.

I have a question: Tombrello mentioned the GF/CF diet, with

the caveat 'Now everyone don't get upset with me...' I have been

thinking about trying this diet. Are people here generally opposed,

or what?

I am convinced sleep problems are a big part of it. He is keeping

himself awake as late as 11 or 12 most nights at the moment. (He's

worrying and crying about whether he'll manage okay at school the

next day. But he's so tired that next day that he often doesn't).

I've been reading about melatonin for kids like this -- has anyone

tried it? Or any other sleep remedies?

Thanks....

Fenwick

April 21, 2005

Hi Ppanda65,

What is reflexology? Is this something a professional has to do or can you

learn to do it yourself? Thanks.

Becky

ppanda65@... wrote:

I have tried reflexology with my son and it tends to relax him.

April 22, 2005

I know people who have tried melatonin with their kids

and my husband has tried it, he has always had similar

sleep problems to your son. When he was young he

stayed up reading the encyclopedia until midnight.

Unfortunately, no one I know has had a lot of success

but that does not mean it would not help your son. I

don't know about anyone else here because I'm new but

I know many people who swear by the GF/CF diet. I have

also heard many people swear by listening therapies

for sleep assistance.

Laurie

--- fenwick1969 <bing2004@...> wrote:

>

> Thanks to those who have replied to my post about my

> 9-year-old's

> concentration and behavior problems in school. I

> agree with

> and Laurie that he certainly does need

> sensory breaks; his

> teachers are very inconsistent about this sort of

> thing.

>

> I have a question: Tombrello mentioned the

> GF/CF diet, with

> the caveat 'Now everyone don't get upset with me...'

> I have been

> thinking about trying this diet. Are people here

> generally opposed,

> or what?

>

> I am convinced sleep problems are a big part of it.

> He is keeping

> himself awake as late as 11 or 12 most nights at the

> moment. (He's

> worrying and crying about whether he'll manage okay

> at school the

> next day. But he's so tired that next day that he

> often doesn't).

> I've been reading about melatonin for kids like this

> -- has anyone

> tried it? Or any other sleep remedies?

>

> Thanks....

>

> Fenwick

>

__________________________________________________

April 22, 2005

Here is more information about it:

_Reflexology_ (http://www.healthywaymagazine.com/issue21/07_reflexology.html)

Pam

April 22, 2005

Thanks for the link.

ppanda65@... wrote:

Here is more information about it:

_Reflexology_ (http://www.healthywaymagazine.com/issue21/07_reflexology.html)

Pam

April 22, 2005

My grandson has melatonin and it helps him sleep. Previous to this

medication he would be awake till the early hours of the morning

totally hyper!

He has his melatonin early evening and ideally a quiet time without

TV or distractions and he will take himself to bed but if this

routine is broken he will bypass the melatonin effect and then it

wears off.

I think the diet is worth trying if your doctor says Its Ok and

personally I would be tempted to try it maybe for a week to see if

there are any changes in behaviour. I wouldn't expect a week to be

harmful though everyone needs to make that decision for themselves. I

wish my daughter was able to implement such a diet but I know its

very difficult, especially when other members of the family are

eating 'favourite' foods.

I'm not familiar with CF. Is goats milk CF?

As I have got older, especially in the last 3 years I have got more

and more sensitive to foods and now TRY and keep to a diet which is

free from gluten, lactose, preservatives, mono sod., and other

artificial additives. Its not easy and it sounds crazy to some but I

know to my cost that a diet including these sends my stress and

tinnitis levels soaring and my memory and concentration skills

plummet to zero. I have been able to multi task with the best of them

and hold down a mentaly challenging job for years quite successfully

but this change in mental capacity is scary! I wonder if this is how

Aspies feel. From my own experience I think diet (if it works) is a

better treatment to meds but of course it won't apply to everyone.

cheers

Carolyn UK

>

> >

> > Thanks to those who have replied to my post about my

> > 9-year-old's

> > concentration and behavior problems in school. I

> > agree with

> > and Laurie that he certainly does need

> > sensory breaks; his

> > teachers are very inconsistent about this sort of

> > thing.

> >

> > I have a question: Tombrello mentioned the

> > GF/CF diet, with

> > the caveat 'Now everyone don't get upset with me...'

> > I have been

> > thinking about trying this diet. Are people here

> > generally opposed,

> > or what?

> >

> > I am convinced sleep problems are a big part of it.

> > He is keeping

> > himself awake as late as 11 or 12 most nights at the

> > moment. (He's

> > worrying and crying about whether he'll manage okay

> > at school the

> > next day. But he's so tired that next day that he

> > often doesn't).

> > I've been reading about melatonin for kids like this

> > -- has anyone

> > tried it? Or any other sleep remedies?

> >

> > Thanks....

> >

> > Fenwick

> >

>

> __________________________________________________

>

April 23, 2005

Carolyn,

GFCF diet is gluten free and cassein free. Sounds a lot like the diet you

are already on. My son is in his fourth day on the diet. He is trying to

comply with only a few complaints. I did let him have one piece of birthday

cake at a party today, so that was cheating, but it was remarkable that he

didn't ask for another piece.

Cassein is in all dairy products regardless of what animal the milk is

from, unfortunately. So goat's milk is out.

Here in Southern California, the diet is considered mainstream treatment

for autism. It is quite popular. The parents I am meeting in support groups

often report dramatic improvements, particularly in their children's

ability to focus and think more clearly. I tend to be a cautious person,

but what I've read and heard seems compelling.

So we'll see ...

T.

mom of Sasha, 7

At 10:10 PM 4/22/2005 +0000, you wrote:

>My grandson has melatonin and it helps him sleep. Previous to this

>medication he would be awake till the early hours of the morning

>totally hyper!

>He has his melatonin early evening and ideally a quiet time without

>TV or distractions and he will take himself to bed but if this

>routine is broken he will bypass the melatonin effect and then it

>wears off.

>I think the diet is worth trying if your doctor says Its Ok and

>personally I would be tempted to try it maybe for a week to see if

>there are any changes in behaviour. I wouldn't expect a week to be

>harmful though everyone needs to make that decision for themselves. I

>wish my daughter was able to implement such a diet but I know its

>very difficult, especially when other members of the family are

>eating 'favourite' foods.

>I'm not familiar with CF. Is goats milk CF?

>As I have got older, especially in the last 3 years I have got more

>and more sensitive to foods and now TRY and keep to a diet which is

>free from gluten, lactose, preservatives, mono sod., and other

>artificial additives. Its not easy and it sounds crazy to some but I

>know to my cost that a diet including these sends my stress and

>tinnitis levels soaring and my memory and concentration skills

>plummet to zero. I have been able to multi task with the best of them

>and hold down a mentaly challenging job for years quite successfully

>but this change in mental capacity is scary! I wonder if this is how

>Aspies feel. From my own experience I think diet (if it works) is a

>better treatment to meds but of course it won't apply to everyone.

>cheers

>Carolyn UK

>

> >

> > >

> > > Thanks to those who have replied to my post about my

> > > 9-year-old's

> > > concentration and behavior problems in school. I

> > > agree with

> > > and Laurie that he certainly does need

> > > sensory breaks; his

> > > teachers are very inconsistent about this sort of

> > > thing.

> > >

> > > I have a question: Tombrello mentioned the

> > > GF/CF diet, with

> > > the caveat 'Now everyone don't get upset with me...'

> > > I have been

> > > thinking about trying this diet. Are people here

> > > generally opposed,

> > > or what?

> > >

> > > I am convinced sleep problems are a big part of it.

> > > He is keeping

> > > himself awake as late as 11 or 12 most nights at the

> > > moment. (He's

> > > worrying and crying about whether he'll manage okay

> > > at school the

> > > next day. But he's so tired that next day that he

> > > often doesn't).

> > > I've been reading about melatonin for kids like this

> > > -- has anyone

> > > tried it? Or any other sleep remedies?

> > >

> > > Thanks....

> > >

> > > Fenwick

> > >

> >

> > __________________________________________________

> >

April 23, 2005

In a message dated 4/23/2005 12:43:08 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

suso903tomb@... writes:

Risperdal.

, how have you found this medication to work? My friend's son who has

been improperly diagnosed for years has finally gotten an AS, BP and ADHD

diagnosis. He was diagnosed only ADHD previously. They are starting him on

Risperdal. Hoping it will work for him. Pam

April 23, 2005

fenwick1969 <bing2004@...> wrote:

Thanks to those who have replied to my post about my 9-year-old's

concentration and behavior problems in school. I agree with

and Laurie that he certainly does need sensory breaks; his

teachers are very inconsistent about this sort of thing.

I have a question: Tombrello mentioned the GF/CF diet, with

the caveat 'Now everyone don't get upset with me...' I have been

thinking about trying this diet. Are people here generally opposed,

or what?

**** I don't know why would say that either. People have discussed the

diet many many times on this list and probably will continue to do so. I am

personally opposed to the diet for most people because I feel money could be

better spent doing things that will help. But many of my good friends do the

diet and swear by it. I generally keep my opinion against it to myself because

they are so into it. You can certainly discuss it here on this list. ****

I am convinced sleep problems are a big part of it. He is keeping

himself awake as late as 11 or 12 most nights at the moment. (He's

worrying and crying about whether he'll manage okay at school the

next day. But he's so tired that next day that he often doesn't).

I've been reading about melatonin for kids like this -- has anyone

tried it? Or any other sleep remedies?

****Melatonin is a good OTC to try for sleep issues. My ds is a

polysomnographist (sleep study guy)and he recently did a talk about autism and

sleep problems for my local autism group. He said melatonin tends to work on

and off - you can build up a certain tolerance to it and have to increase dosage

sometimes. I use it with my 8 yo and it works about 70% of the time. that is

better than nothing!

He does suggest you speak to your doctor about sleep medicines because they have

many new products out these days that are much better than just a few years ago.

When my now 16 yo was young, he did not sleep and we used a medication called

" clonidine " which worked 100% of the time. Throughout most of his growing up

years, we only had to change dosage one time. We tried another med with my now

8 yo when he was younger - about 4 yo - called " tenex " and it did not work well.

I gave it to him and he would fall asleep the next day at an unknown time. So

it was not working for us well and we stopped using it.

Hope some of this is helpful. :-)

Roxanna

Look alive. Here comes a buzzard.

-- Pogo

__________________________________________________

April 23, 2005

Word of caution for Strattera ...

Classifying this medication as a non-stimulant has caused much controversy

in the psychiatric field. Apparently, although similar in some ways to

SSRI's (anti-depressants), Stattera actually metabolizes as a stimulant and

has very similar effects on the brain. If your child is sensitive to

stimulants, I would think twice before giving him or her this medication.

There is a lot of traffic about this issue on the bipolar boards. Many

bipolar children cannot handle stimulants. And many have had similar

reactions to Strattera to those they had to Concerta and Adderall.

My son IS bipolar, as well as AS, but he appears to be able to handle a

very small dose of stimulants if he is stabilized on his bipolar meds

first. My son's first diagnosis before the bipolar diagnosis was ADHD, but

it is looking increasingly like my son might not have ADHD at all. His

near-psychotic reaction to a high dose of Adderall was what earned him the

BP diagnosis. A sizable percentage of kids diagnosed with ADHD and

depression are found to have BP instead. And BP is a fairly common

co-diagnosis with AS.

I agree that loss of sleep can stir up a hornet's nest with our kids. BP

causes HUGE problems with sleep, as does AS. My son literally could not be

helped with his recurrent nightmares (which one often sees with BP) until

we put him on Risperdal. Nothing else worked, and I mean nothing. Not

melatonin, not exercise ... the only thing we didn't try before now was the

diet.

I'm not gung-ho about the diet or anything like that; I worked in health

care and was conditioned to consider most homeopathic remedies as " voo doo

science. " Sasha hasn't been on it long enough for me to have strong

opinions about it. Around here, in Orange County, CA, this is just one of

the first things that many specialists suggest people try. If we try and

see negligible results from it, I will be honest to you and everyone else

in reporting this.

Still, I urge you to do a web search on " Strattera " and " GFCF " and " ADHD "

and " bipolar disorder " before you decide on any course of action.

Another possibility with our kids, and this is another thing we haven't

checked out and probably should, is that seizure activity might be

interfering with sleep. Many parents around here have their kids undergo a

" 24-hour EEG " to rule this out. Other kids have had sleep disorder

evaluations done and have been found to have sleep apnea.

T.

mom of Sasha, 7

At 08:28 AM 4/23/2005 -0700, you wrote:

>Also, regarding stimulants, the new " Strattera " medication is supposed to

>be a non-stimulant that improves attention and concentration.

April 23, 2005

Pam,

ly, Risperdal has been a lifesaver. I'm a real fan of this medication.

It turned my son from raging constantly to being a child capable of

learning and reaching out. It's possible that the key benefit to Sasha was

in quieting his nightmares and helping him to get a sound night's sleep.

My son hasn't had the most common side effects with this med, but some

children do. And it's wise to be on the lookout for them. Some children

develop movement disorders, in which case one must immediately wean one's

child off the drug. Annual blood draws are a good idea. And weight problems

are quite common with Risperdal, so beware. Have plenty of healthy snacks

around and hide the carbohydrates!!!!

Sasha has not gained any weight on Risperdal. Some children don't have a

problem and continue to eat normally.

Risperdal does have a sedative effect and does slightly " flatten "

children's aspects. My son is so animated that we don't notice this so

much, but some parents are uncomfortable about this.

The side effect that we have seen is drooling. My son has hemiplegic

cerebral palsy and drools anyway, but on Risperdal the problem is

considerably worse. On the other hand, Concerta tends to ameliorate this,

returning the drooling level to normal. When Concerta wears off in the

evening, we see this more. Concerta is also an appetite suppressant and

that might be why Sasha hasn't had a weight gain. If you do notice drooling

on Risperdal, you might want to try giving all or the bulk of this

medication to your son at night before he does to bed and see if that helps

(and make sure his pillow is washable, LOL).

Best wishes. I hope your son has a good experience.

T.

mom of Sasha, 7

At 01:27 PM 4/23/2005 -0400, you wrote:

>

>In a message dated 4/23/2005 12:43:08 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

>suso903tomb@... writes:

>

>Risperdal.

>

>, how have you found this medication to work? My friend's son who has

>been improperly diagnosed for years has finally gotten an AS, BP and ADHD

>diagnosis. He was diagnosed only ADHD previously. They are starting him on

>Risperdal. Hoping it will work for him. Pam

>

April 23, 2005

Thanks for the info . I will pass it along to my friend whose son is

going to be starting the medication. Pam

April 24, 2005

There are quite a lot of books written about reflexology. I've tried to use it

with my son but because of his sensititivity problems, it doesn't always work

(depends on his mood). I have about 15 books on the subject, and the best one

that I've read is by Inge Dougans with Suzanne Ellis. It's called " The Art of

Relexology. " This book explains about the Chinese history and step by step

instructions. Check your library and see what books they have.

Reflexology works wonders with my ADHD son (14 y.o.) and my husband who has a

pinched sciatic nerve (sp?).

Good Luck,

Viola, mom of Neto (5)

ppanda65@... wrote:

I have tried reflexology with my son and it tends to relax him.

April 24, 2005

My son wouldn't sleep at night it would take us hours to get him to sleep then

he would be up 3 or 4 times a night his doctor told us about melatonin. I asked

some of my friends they used it themselves and said they got a better nights

sleep. we got the 3mg. and give one about 20 minutes before bedtime and he

has sleep better. He goes right to sleep and sleeps through the night. I hope

it works for your family. Tina woodby

Carolyn Durkin <carolynd@...> wrote: