Risperidone for autism?

[Helplessandheartbroke]

Hi all, im looking for some advice please and posting in chat for more traffic. My gorgeous little boy is 5 and he is non verbal autistic. He's on adaflex for sleep, a recently increased dose, we've tried the slow release too but nothing seems to be working. Me and dh work full time and ds is in full time education and we're all exhausted. In the last 2 weeks ds has slept for 1 full night. Sometimes he doesn't go to sleep until 1 or 2 in the morning and other times he will sleep at a normal time and wake at midnight and be up all night. Im honestly almost crying writing this. I wouldn't change my boy for the world but we all need some sleep. Dh is always reading up online and has come across risperidone being used to treat autism. Now I dont want to medicate ds but I need to keep an open mind (if its even prescribed through the nhs) im just wondering if anyone has any experience or can offer any advice we may not have tried please? Thank you from a truly tired mum

My autistic daughter started taking risperidone at age 13. It was to treat her increasing anger and violence, and it worked well.
I believe it’s usually “bad behaviour” in autistic youngsters that risperidone is prescribed for rather than lack of sleep. That said, it does have a very sedating effect.

To add: yes prescribed on the NHS, but it’s off licence for this purpose so - I think - would have to be prescribed by psychiatrist, as DDs was.

That's helpful thank you! Im glad it helped your dd. He's not aggressive but does get hyperactive and will hair pull

My daughter was prescribed Risperidone about 3 years ago due to aggressive behaviour. It worked very well for her and got us all through a particularly difficult patch but it was not prescribed for sleep though. Her paediatrician prescribed it, so through the NHS.

@Helplessandheartbroke my GS is really aggressive hes 7 very strong but sleeps well hes Autistic but id say he has ADHD aswell but his mum wont get his assesed

@Mariocatgran whats the reason your daughter won't have gs assessed? Im sorry so many are struggling with aggressive behaviour. Ds used to bite me a lot but now its the odd (very hard) hair pulling so im hoping it doesn't progress. Its so difficult and I thank you for sharing as it can be lonely too. If ds would sleep I feel I could be such a better mum. With work and no sleep I hardly have the energy to do much some days and it makes me feel so down

@Helplessandheartbroke hi she just isnt interested shes too busy taking drugs we dont have full custody yet hoping that goes through on the 12th then I can start the ball rolling thanks for taking time

Op I know this isn’t what you asked but do consider calling the Contact a Family charity helpline and asking them for guidance about an assessment for respite hours from your local authority. If a carer can hold the fort for a hour or two in the afternoon while you catch up on sleep and you can have a few hours out at the weekend that might help just a little? Sending you so much support and an un MN hug if that helps.

I'm sorry, but you're very unlikely to be prescribed Risperidone for sleep issues. It's an anti-psychotic, and even for aggressive autistic people, it's a last resort when all else has failed.

@Onceuponatimethenhi sorry to jump in i might remember that and do the same at 1 point and get the help our social worker is hopeless

@Mariocatgran thanks for sharing and im sorry to hear this, fingers crossed 🤞 for you. Please let us know how you get on.

Thanks for the advice all and @Onceuponatimethen I'll definitely consider it. I just feel guilty as I work full time i try and do family things on a weekend but sometimes its hard when youre so tired!

Ds slept last night! From around 9.30pm until 8.30am! Its a miracle. He must have been feeling as shattered as we are bless him