ASD/ADHD Do not know what to do for best - medicate or carry on?

[antarctictoc]

DC10 has a diagnosis - high functioning autism (unable to focus so not highly academic) and mild ADHD inattentive type without hyperactivity. He enjoys sport and the practical lessons.

He tolerates school - does not really like it and has some trouble making good friends but is friendly with a couple of boys. He has poor impulse control so sometimes behaves in a silly way (calling out in class or acting the clown). It's not very often but enough to alienate himself from a lot of his classmates.

He struggles academically - bright but his inability to focus means he rarely shows his true ability.

Psychiatrist wrote his report and ASD/ADHD diagnosis and we had a phone call to ask questions.

We asked about trialling medication to help with focus and came away feeling psych was against medicating - recommended reading up on methylphenidate which he referred to as amphetamine.

We have read and researched and see there are possible side effects but also worry we are not doing the right thing if we don't try it.

Our child is struggling with school work and socially. Much of the time seems stressed and anxious. Self confidence affected too. We have tried counselling, one to one tuition, extra support in school (sat at front of class, one to one help, lots of positive reinforcement) but feel his inability to focus is very much a hindrance in so many areas of his life.

Has anyone else struggled with this decision and felt psychiatrist was not supportive of medicating?

Make sure the school are aware of diagnosis.

We opted against medicating my 8 year old. For us the downsides of meds were too significant to ignore.

I'm so glad I found this thread.

My son doesn't have a diagnosis yet but we expect he will have a diagnosis of ASD (he's high functioning and school don't see it but I do) and ADHD. School do see this but have only just started accepting that I might be onto something when I suggest he has ADHD. He struggles in the same way as many of the children mentioned here.

I don't mean to derail the thread but if anyone has any Facebook group recommendations for support or meeting other parents I'd be really grateful to hear them.

My 20 year old has just started on methylphenidate - late diagnosis. I only wish we had known her diagnosis when younger and started her on meds back then - would have saved a tonne of angst

By the way, she takes supplements of magnesium complex, omega 3 and Ashwagandha for anxiety - since you mention your dc struggles with this

Thanks for starting this thread, OP. We're in a similar position (although thinking of going private due to woeful waiting times) and the information has been really helpful.

I've just had a formal diagnosis for my son (he's 11) and the school were cc'd a copy of the report.

So you might not need to inform the school, per se.

My DS13 has just started on Concerta XL.

We had a private assessment as we were reaching crisis point as a family, and I estimated that we would have another 9-12 month wait for diagnosis and then I believe there would have been a wait to see whoever it is who prescribes in the first instance.

He was being excluded on a once or twice weekly basis, with constant calls from school about serious incidents. He couldn’t keep still and couldn’t control his impulses. The constant outbursts and meltdowns were absolutely exhausting and It was heartbreaking to see him struggle so much. I was dead set against medicating him so it took a lot of soul searching before I came to the conclusion that I was doing him a disservice but not trying them. I’ve heard so many people say they were life changing.

They opted to start him with the slow release on the smallest dose (18mg). So far it’s looking promising. While his week at school has been far from perfect, it’s now Thursday and there have been no exclusions or serious incidents.

He is calmer, there have been very few outbursts at home and no meltdowns. He seems much more relaxed and happier that things are better at school. We’ve been sitting and having some lovely conversations, which I now realise we weren’t really able to do so much before the meds.

He says that for the first half of the day he can feel they are making a difference but then he can feel it all building up again so i suspect that they will probably up his dose at his review appointment next week.

His appetite is affected a little bit but not worryingly so. He’s eating less during the day but still eating.

I am still not at the point where I can exhale fully, but it feels like we are heading in the right direction!

You might want to check out this book:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Straight-about-Psychiatric-Medications-Fourth/dp/1462519857/ref=sr_1_1?crid=22LHEATO9C7P8&keywords=kids+medication+psychiatric&qid=1669931704&sprefix=kids+medication+psychiatric%2Caps%2C65&sr=8-1 Straight Talk about Psychiatric Medications for Kids Paperback – Illustrated, 16 May 2016by Timothy E. Wilens (Author), Paul G. Hammerness (Author)

Dr Russell Barkeley's youtube videos are also helpful, in case you have not come across them.

It sounds like your son is negatively affected in several ways. If meds can help, I would try them.