For almost the last year I have had Jon, my 9 y/o at home 24 hours a day except for church and sports. I have observed and noted his good times and bad times and the circumstances surrounding most of both and have come to several conclusions and have enacted several changes which have helped Jon with his self control immensely.
I have noticed that when Jon is ill, ie running a fever, he does not need his meds and he is not hyperactive or nasty. So- I started giving him long very warm baths in the mornings when he gets up. I notice that the baths relax and soothe him and I can wait longer to give him his AM meds. When he gets agitated or angry in the afternoon I run a very warm bath and put some bath salts in the water. Then I get him and ask him to lay down and relax in the bath with a soaked towel over his chest to keep him warm (because the bath isn't deep enough to cover his chest. After 10-15 minutes when he is relaxed I have him come out and feed him dinner and give him 3mg melatonin, benedryl when needed for his allergies and his 1mg risperadone. he is really mellow and usually falls asleep by 8:30pm.
This has worked because I have been able to be around Jon enough to see what soothes and what sets him off. I do notice that video games and the WII really agitate him. He will play these by himself for a long time but then his behavior is much worse for a day or two after.
I am thinking of trying heated vest on him during the day to soothe him when/if he becomes agitated. Not too hot- soothing, and not too long a time period. I will let you know if this works as well as a bath.
Have any of you noticed baths helping?
Randy
My son 10, loves to take soothing baths anytime of day that I will let him. I do not have that luxury as our bathtub is busted and hubby won't fix it yet. So we use a long hot shower now to soothe and calm him. It really does help. I still give my son his Concerta and Zoloft every am before 7am. I have found that when my son gets a new video game he gets over stimulized and he is up all night from the over stimulazation.