I have a son who is autistic and has some behavioral issues - hits, kicks, pinches, yells etc when frustrated or doesn't get his way. We have been dealing with this for a few years now. I was wondering if anyone has a similiar situation and put their child on some meds? I really didn't want to go that route, however, if it would make our family's life a bit easier then it may be worth lookiing into. What kind of meds are out there for this? Just wondering... we have an appt with the pediatric neurologist soon to talk about it, but wanted to do some research first.

Thanks,

Hi,
I'm not sure if this applies to your son but my son is also autistic. He used to have many meltdowns when he did not get his way but it was because he was also OCD. Obsessive compulsive disorder. I answerd this question for another poster the other day on this page if you want more info. Anyway I don't know if you son has any issues with OCD but we put our son on Celexa at age 4 nd it has helped him dramatacly. we also did not want to go this route but came to a point that we needed to try it and it did help him. If you want more info you can PM or email me.

Julie

Julie,

I really didn't think he had OCD issues but I am not too familiar with it. He really doesn't have any habits he HAS to do, like shutting a door etc. But maybe I am not grasping the whole OCD thing. I think I will look into that. Nothing we have tried has worked with him, so I'm going to talk to the doctor about it soon. We cannot even go out as a family and it breaks my heart that when the others go to the park, he has to be left behind with someone as he cannot listen and takes off or when it is time to leave he has a meltdown.
Another problem I am foreseeing is that he refuses to take medicine and can taste anything in any drink! but I'm willing to try to figure that one out..

HI,
Your son may not have the same issues and not OCD but I guess I was saying that sometimes you try everything you can and meds might be the last alternative and in some cases do help. I totally understand not wanted to put your child on meds. I just wanted to let you know how it can help sometimes.

I have another son 6 and 1/2 years old. He has autism and some slight OCD issues. We still struggle to this day to find the answer for him. We have tried different meds but nothing has really done the trick. He has totally different issues than my older son. So you never know.

By the way regarding the meltdowns. My older son used to have them alot when he was younger. Espechally before he could really communicate. I would be in the yard with my triplets on the swings and I would say we are going in the house in a few minutes and than when we did he would throw a fit getting into the house. This was about the time we started early intervention. The special education teacher working with him told me he probable was not listening when I made the general statement to all 3 that we were going in the hopuse in a few.

She told me to tell everyone and than make sure he was looking at me and tell him directly to amke sure he knew what was next. Alot of times it's the transitioning from 1 thing to another to quickly that causes the meltdown. Try and make sure he knows what comes next. I don't know how old you son is but maybe when you are going to the park explain before you go or before you get out of the car that you will let him know 10 min or so before ti's time to leave. Maybe if he understands that if he behaves this time when leaving he can get a reward or he will realise that he can come next time as well. Just trying to pass some info I have learned along the way.

Sorry this was so long but I know how you feel. It's difficult for everyone in the family. We ususlly take all our kids where ever because we feel they have to learn to live the real world and the more they experience it the eaiser it will be in the long run. Don't get me wrong some days no matter what you do nothing goes right and you might have to leave a party or whatever early but sometimes they just amaze you and have an easy day.

Well good luck. Really if you want to talk let me know.

Julie