OT: Risperdal

[sergeantsgirlfriend]

Today is a really sad day for me. My son who is five was diagnosed with Autism several months ago. He is considered very high functioning so we are fortunate. He will have to have speech therapy when he starts school and other special classes. He is smart but he doesn't learn like others. He is on Risperdal and has had a lot of success with it until recently. He has begun slapping me and acting out. He lacks the ability to cope about things as simple as breaking the lead on a pencil. Today his doctor felt like we needed to increase his dosage. I can't tell you how heartbreaking it is to have your little child on an "anti-psychotic" medication. It makes me want to scream and cry. It just hurts. He came here so perfect and healthy and then one day I started noticing that he was different. When a psychologist tells you that your son isn't normal and that he will never be normal...it hurts. I know some people are opposed to medications and that's fine. I'm not thrilled about him being on one at the age of five. He is disciplined and no, I'm not someone who wants to control my child or make them a zombie with medicine. Before this medication my son would not speak to another child. He wouldn't walk on the ground if it was wet. He had no social skills at all. His preschool said he couldn't be there. It's just the last resort that we had. Several people evaluated him and agreed that it was the only option for him to be able to have some sort of normality in his life. I just needed to vent and I'm sure I will get negative responses and that's fine. Here's why it's fine...it's really hard to judge until you are in that situation and I'm in it. I live it and I know what it's like. I'm hurting and I just needed to vent.

[Mindalynn]

I am so sorry you are going through this! I have a nephew that has autism and I understand completely! It is a very difficult thing to deal with, let alone having to put him on meds. If the meds are working then I think you made the right call - he will live a better, happier life this way! My thoughs are with you! (((HUGS)))

[Chiquita198126]

You are not doing anything wrong! If anyone, I dare them to! Give negative feedback! Is a piece of ****! No one has the right to judge you. I bet you are a great mom! You are not doing anything wrong. I am sooo sorry you are going through all of this. I will keep your family in my prayers. I love moms like you because even though this may be difficult for you, you keep strong and do what normal people do. VENT. This is okay! Take care!

[ElenaBeth]

HUGS!!! I feel ya. My little bro is an autistic-savant. (which I probably cant spell correctly) Hes now 26 and high functioning as well. He is amazingly smart in some areas and in others, well, not so much. Hes been on meds since he was about 5 or so. We believe is happened from his 2 yr shots, but thats a whole other debate. Anyway, no judgement here! One of my older twins also has CP with a seizure disorder (yep, I still cant call it epilepsy lol) and shes on all kinds of meds as well for many different things. Its never easy. Hang in there tho, (I know, that doesnt help) because ya never know where things might turn and get better as time goes on!

[sergeantsgirlfriend]

I think the hardest part is that I have no control over the situation and this is my child. I feel helpless at times. I should be able to make him better and I can't. When I first found out, I went and bought every workbook they had at the store. I would sit for hours and try to get him to learn and he wouldn't do it with me. I soon realized that I was in over my head because it's so complicated. They can't tell you what causes this and they can't tell you if it will ever improve or go away. All I keep hearing is that it's a brain disorder...yeah, I got that part already. As always, thanks for the support and for sharing your stories.

[scatanafas]

Girl i am going to give you some huge hugs ....I know how difficult this is for you. I don't blame you at all for putting your son on meds, you know as a mom what is right for him and don't let nobody tell you different. just know that as he gets older and maturity sets in he may outgrow some of the things that he is diong now....I know someone else that said although her son't autism wasn't cured it is so much better and he stopped taking meds.....