Ironic?

[DreamSpell333]

Originally Posted by Lunacie

Thanks, I'll take a look at that link.

I'm sorry if I gave the impression that the doctor prescribed this medication "nonchalantly" (although I'm puzzled that you thought so).

I wasn't at the meeting with the doctor, so I was assuming that the medication was anti-anxiety since that's what my daughter went to ask about. The doctor actually did tell my daughter that this medication was an anti-psychotic that is also used to treat anxiety in Autistic children, but we were interrupted several times while she was talking to me and that part either got lost in the chaos or forgotten at the time. I'm sure the doctor gave the proper information and described the medication properly.

The primary reason for medicating the child is not "irritability", it's anxiety. I thought I made that part clear at least. We did not make the decision to try meds lightly, and we know there are risks with any medication, but we are hopeful that the benefits will outweigh the risks and we are going to be looking after her closely (as usual), and have informed the teachers at school an the workers through the county mental health association to be watchful as well for changes (both good and bad) and to please let us know what they see taking place.

I'm getting the impression that some people who have responded think that everyone who medicates their children for neurological disorders is "taking the easy way" so they don't have to deal with the problems. We are not doing this for us - we are doing this for our child. Please understand that. We very much love my granddaughter and we hate to see her being so anxious, fearful, unhappy, sad. Not all Autistic kids feel this way, and we hope she doesn't have to feel this way all her life either.

I understand why you've decided to medicate. I hate seeing vinny have his episodes ; especially the ones where he starts slapping himself and throwing himself about etc etc.
Yes, it's hard on you all but your doing it to help Nove be happy and calm and so she wont harm herself or others. (especially in school)
to you!

[Lunacie]

Originally Posted by DreamSpell333

I understand why you've decided to medicate. I hate seeing vinny have his episodes ; especially the ones where he starts slapping himself and throwing himself about etc etc.
Yes, it's hard on you all but your doing it to help Nove be happy and calm and so she wont harm herself or others. (especially in school)
to you!

Thank you. It really can become a Catch 22 - trying to keep everyone in the family from being depressed, because that can set off a whole chain reaction and then everyone ends up depressed and stressed and unhappy. The therapist finally got me to see how my moods affect the kids, which I knew subconsciously but really hadn't looked at face-on. But it's also true that when the kids are struggling and unhappy that makes it much harder for me to keep my moods from tanking. Hopefully this is one more step towards finding a balance that works for all of us.

[moonchild]

I'm not around here much anymore but i wanted to tell you cudos for seeking out the help that Nove Mber needs. I take it the family sees a therapist? I do art therapy with kids, ages 4-19, and we have a psych on staff. He doesn't like to prescribe at young ages but he has and continues to have success with meds and behaviors/moods. Resp. does get used in younger kids for anxiety, i have a bunch on my caseload now. the most i've ever seen is tremors (regarding the parkinsonism) but they can be dealt with by tweeking the dose. many of my kids are on more than one medication to treat the spectrum of symptoms but typically we see improvement. I have an 8 yr old on lexapro, so as long as the family is aware of the possible side effects, many of the 'adult' meds can be used for kids.

if you can, look into other types of therapies for Nove. Art and Music therapy do wonders for Autistic kids. it connects them on another level.

if you go here: http://www.arttherapy.org/ you can find a listing of art therapists in your area. scroll toward the bottom and there is a link. it seems to be down currently, but check back.

[Lunacie]

Originally Posted by moonchild

I'm not around here much anymore but i wanted to tell you cudos for seeking out the help that Nove Mber needs. I take it the family sees a therapist? I do art therapy with kids, ages 4-19, and we have a psych on staff. He doesn't like to prescribe at young ages but he has and continues to have success with meds and behaviors/moods. Resp. does get used in younger kids for anxiety, i have a bunch on my caseload now. the most i've ever seen is tremors (regarding the parkinsonism) but they can be dealt with by tweeking the dose. many of my kids are on more than one medication to treat the spectrum of symptoms but typically we see improvement. I have an 8 yr old on lexapro, so as long as the family is aware of the possible side effects, many of the 'adult' meds can be used for kids.

if you can, look into other types of therapies for Nove. Art and Music therapy do wonders for Autistic kids. it connects them on another level.

if you go here: http://www.arttherapy.org/ you can find a listing of art therapists in your area. scroll toward the bottom and there is a link. it seems to be down currently, but check back.

Yeah, we've been seeing a family therapist for a couple of years. He has steered us to even more help. Nove seems proud when she brings home artwork from school these days - which is a wonderful change. Her fine motor skills made it very hard for her to do artsy stuff until just this past year - she just turned 8.

The county mental health association is providing two groups a week, one is a drumming group and rhythm is very helpful for these kids, and the other is a body rhythm group (I guess that's dancing or jazzercise or something like that), and of course the social aspect has been really great.

She's been much less anxious this week - but that could be because school hasn't been as stressful. Although she was a little bit anxious about doing her book report in front of the whole class she took her storyboard and went off to be a 'big girl'. We asked how the book report went and she said great. But she may just be saying that because it's over and done with, so there's no more anxiety about it. But she has learned from her sister to enjoy "being on stage" and being the center of attention so she probably enjoyed herself even if she didn't do a very good job.

So far, no nasty side effects, so we still have good hopes for this treatment.