Advice on Adderall Medication

[Guest guest]

Hi I am new and looking forward to getting some valuable advice.

My ex-wife and I are currently re-evaluating the need for my 12 year old son w Aspergers to take Adderall. He currently also takes Zoloft in tandem. We have taken him off for two weeks and in the last week, my son has returned to school. (The teachers knew in advance of the break in meds so it is not a blind test). The teachers are giving us a very detailed daily report, mostly describing my son as being more hyper, more talkative, more hungry and more figety. Some of the teachers take it one step further and state that he is distracting. In contrast, a few teachers do say that he is doing a good job and getting his work done and that his friends do not seem to notice or be affected.

My ex is very pro drug and likes to have a quieter child and I prefer to see my son off as soon as possible IF he does not need them. My personal observations is that he does seem a bit more hyper but also displays some positive benefits of being definitely more hungry and he seems to have less compulsive behaviors (e.g. coughing or spitting every five minutes). My son is very skinny.

I am inclined (even though skeptical of a teacher's bias for quiet students) to maintain his meds. I do not think he needs the meds to maintain his grades or perform his school work. I do not like the side affect of his stunted appetite. My son has said he feels more hyper but he also very suggestive and cannot help but think that he is partly echoing his mother's opinion. To repeat though, I do sense he is a bit more hyper without the meds but is it enough to warrant continued medication. The doctor offers little help IMHO.

I would appreciate any advice on the above, lessons learned, or your road traveled that might help me be a more informed father. Also, do any of you provide a shake supplement to your child to help with some weight gain. My son is very active in sports and loves football. I am not pushing him to excel in sports but I would like to remove obstacles that may prevent him from excelling. I have heard that the long term effects of Adderall is that these children do not get the height or weight growth back.

Thank you for your help.