**UPDATE** on son ripping teacher’s shirt | ADHD Information
wow, you have your hands full right now.....I really like the thought that maybe time change, season change could possibly have something to do with our kids being "off".
I think maybe a booster is a good idea but then again you know Im in no postion to talk about meds right now with all gabey's dealing with..lol..
Best wishes and hang in there....
B.J.
asdkidsarecool, it would be wise to contact your child's physchian in such instances as only your childs phsyciain can properly advise you with to regard to whether your child might need a booster dose or perhaps advise you what the next course of action should be. Only a professional should be advising you, especially when your dealing with your child's medication. I suggest you call your child's physician asap and then take it from there. Please keep us postedLuvmykids0239764.967974537 HELP!
My autistic/adhd kiddo has been getting increasingly aggressive over the last 2 weeks, with a few instances of pure aggression (he nearly bit a teacher last week; he DOESN'T do this normally) and today, he actually got mad and tossed a table over and then ripped his teacher's shirt!! I'm not sure *HOW* this happened... but I do know *why*... Ash was mad because the teacher held him back from the computer lab for not listening at recess and CRAWLING through water puddles and having to have his clothes changed.... I agree with the teacher's actions.... he needed a punishment to fit with him not listening not once, but TWICE when he was told to NOT go in or crawl through the water puddles.
Now, here's a bit of history.... Ashton's teacher is officially on maternity leave. Her last day was Monday; but it's been a slow progression and it's darn obvious to anyone who sees her that she's about ready to have a baby. Is the acting out related to that? Or, is it possible that it's something else.
Something that I've noticed in recent weeks (based on weekends and days off during the week for holidays, teacher work days, etc....) is that when Ashton takes his morning meds (Risperdal 1mg and 10mg of Focalin XR; typically around 6:30am; but on days off from school, around 9:30am) they seem to wear off around 4.5-5hrs later. For example; yesterday was a day off from school so Ashton had his meds at 9:30 and was good to go until about 2pm when he went NUTS! Screaming, crying, and was just flat out PISSED off that we were asking him to do ANYTHING. I gave him his afternoon dose of Focalin at 2:15pm. Took him to Occupational therapy @ 3pm and he nearly screamed and cried for a good 35mins (all the while, doing his work! lol). He calmed down for the last 5mins or so of the session.
THIS IS NOT MY KID!! He's not normally aggressive or angry and doesn't get THAT worked up over ANYTHING! School is going great but again, usually around 11-11:30am every day he starts acting out and tantrums off and on throughout the rest of the day.
My guess is the morning Riserdal is not lasting and he needs a booster dose around 11am.
Help!
Any suggestions/ideas?
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UPDATE***
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Well, still no call back from the specialist (ARGH.... I've called them twice now and was told both times, you'll get a call back sometime today as I'd called first thing in the morning @ 9am) but I went ahead and took my son into the normal pediatrician yesterday and he checked out A-OK! So that's good at least, being able to rule out anything medically wrong with him.
Anyways, I remembered our specialist (a pediatric neurodevelopmental specialist) saying that Focalin XR/Focalin CAN cause or increase aggression. It never had before in my son (he'd been on Focalin XR since May; Focalin since October) but that didn't mean it couldn't have started to now. So yesterday I didn't give him his Focalin XR and he was SIGNIFICANTLY less aggressive/mean (in fact, his teacher said it was a 100% turn around from the previous few days). So, until we get back into the doctor, he will not be taking the Focalin XR. Of course now we're dealing with super-stimmy, jittery, hyper behavior but I'd rather have that then the mean and aggressive behavior.
I've got half a mind to call the DAN specialist we have lined up and see if I can get Ashton in sooner than our December 10th appt. I've just about had it with the developmental specialist as this "we'll call you back" and then I never receive a call back is NOT acceptable, especially given the gravity of the situation. I was planning on not seeing them anymore once we see the DAN specialist but this is giving me even more reason not to! (and for those wondering.... DAN stands forDefeat Autism Now; they use biomedical treatments to treat autism, but also will prescribe medication, our specialist is also a pediatrician and a father of an autistic son)
So, I've got my happy, smiling kiddo back but he's HYPER! LOL WE can deal with that for a few days though I think.
asdkidsarecool39767.3412962963
I know very little about Risperdal, but lately everyone's kids are being kind of "off". This happens every year around this time. The change of the clocks, season change, school is FULL SWING now and the holidays. WAY too mcuh for the younger ones. I know this doesnt help you or what you're dealing with, but it is happening all over.
That said, you poor thing, AND your poor son. He is SO frustrated. I would definitely address the meds. Aggression is so hard to get a handle on. It's frustration and the key is finidng out why. I bet it's all of it. As you know transitions are so difficult, my guess is a lot is due to the teacher being gone.
I also agree with Diane. I swear, every year around this time, Will loses it. and so do the rest of us.
He settles back down around Feb.
But I would definitely seek your doctor's opinion. There are several things it could be...