risperdal and autism?

[Adamsmama]

My 7 year old son was diagnosed a few years ago with autism (low-mod functioning classic), sensory processing disorder and cerebral palsy, prior to the diagnosis we were told he has global delays. He was in 1st grade last year and really struggled with behavior. He has been a handful since the age of 3. He struggles in all areas but the behavior of defiance and mild aggression (nothing truly dangerous but he likes to provoke younger kids and also hits, pushes, etc.) We just got a prescription for risperdal from a child psych that did an eval. Does anyone have any experience with this? I wouldn't typically be for giving kids these types of drugs. I think DH and I have decided we don't want to go down this path -- but we may change our minds later. Right now we are trying to help through food allergy intervention (he has several really severe food allergies that affect behavior) and therapy. Any experience with this drug?

[HarperRose]

We've had great success with it. My 10 yr old has Asperger's, SPD, and struggles w/ aggression.

He started eating A LOT at first but it's leveled out a bit and he's back to his typical eating pattern.

Because the risperdal can affect blood sugar, his doctor has us testing his blood sugar every 6 months. It went up only 2 points in 6 mos, which isn't bad. We use my dad's glucose meter (he's diabetic), but if we didn't have that, we'd have to take him in for blood work.

[Adamsmama]

Thank you for sharing your experience! I have to go check on the kids...be back in a while.

[cchrissyy]

My boy has been on it for 3 years, and it truly changed our lives around. best thing that ever happened for him and his ability to learn and be part of his family and community. despite my hesistations at first, I can't think of one negative thing to say about this med.

[Adamsmama]

I'm starting to be convinced. I talked with a therapist at the dr. office who has worked with a lot of autistic kids and she said it would calm him down enough to stop and think before he reacts to his environment (other kids). Were both of your kids slightly aggressive? I was worried about my son because he can be very impulsive and slightly hyper at times -- and has a low attention span. He does ok learning subjects that he has already mastered or is generally good at but anything that is new or a struggle he either throws a temper tantrum or just starts stimming and/or aggrevating other kids in his surroundings.

[HarperRose]

Max is very aggressive. This has GREATLY tempered him.

My dad also takes it for his aggression. (HE has bipolar disorder & intermittent explosive disorder.)

[cchrissyy]

my boy was very self-injurious, but was not normally agressive towards others. With risperdol, he was finaly available to learn and grow rather than speand so much time upset, out of his mind, or recovering from the stress and injuries of his tantrums. Honestly, his speech, OT, and play therpay was suddenly WAY more effective with him being mentally present and available to learn fomr them. He caught up on a lot of his delays right in that first year of medication.

he takes a seperate med for ADHD, it's tenex. Not a stimulant, it's actually a blood pressure med that just calms his impulsivity and bouncing out of his seat and improves his attention span without making him sleepy.