Hi,
A month ago a psychiatrist prescribed my 5 1/2 year old son Risperdal (0.25 mg/ 3xday). It's been helpful. For most of the day, he is calmer than he was prior to taking meds. His agitation hasn't gone away entirely, though; as the day progresses it manifests as weepiness (instead of yelling at his younger brother). The medication also makes him sleepy. I tried cutting out the midday dose, but found that his behavior was the same as without meds when I did that.
Our holiday break from school was difficult. I've been a stay at home mom since my son was born. I dread school vacations. His behavior is a kid in a play room full of toys who can't find anything to play wtih. He jumps from activity to activity, but keeps coming back to my husband or me. He wants to be with me or my husband all day long, 100% engaged - sitting on our laps, clinging to our hips, talking to us. He cannot entertain himself at all. He is not interested in playing with his younger brother (age 3) , and has difficulty sustaining play with other children.
His diagnosis falls into a gray area. His working dx is "borderline" PDDNOS. He's had a lot of high quality intervention that's peeled away the sensory and stimming that led to the PDD dx.
At today's follow-up trip to the psychiatrist, the doctor chose to add Ritalin (2xday) to the Risperdal. Are there any other parents out there whose children have similar behavioral profiles to my son who've struck gold with Ritalin?
Hi Susan,
I think we might be in the category of having "stuck gold". My DS, age 6 ..ADHD, SPD ..stimulus seeking...super high energy, can't entertain himself for even a second. We tried stimulants a year ago, without success..add aggressiveness and dark thoughts to the mix. So this year, with a new Dr, we were working on just trying to get his engine turned down. Tenex worked for 3 days and then we got a prescription for Risperdal. Gave the Risperdal for 2 days, but in the back of my mind, was the thought that we should try the stimulants again. So, asked Dr. ...and he went off the Risperdal and on to the Ritalin. He started with just one dose in the mornings. Lasts about 3-4 hours. Now, six weeks later he is doing great! I am a stay at home, homeschooling mom..and he can completely wear me out. But, with the meds that I can give on an as needed basis SUCCESS! We can give him up to 3 doses, but most days he does great with either one or two.
Good luck. I know I got the courage to talk about stimulants again with my son's Dr based on the support and knowledge of the great people here. I don't know how long the Ritalin will work...but DS is living the good life right now.
_________
Sandy
DS age 6 1/2, ADHD, SPD-Stim Seeking