Concerta - the joys, the worries and the guilt

[Frogsandsheep]

My son has asd (v high functioning but it affects him more than people realise), OCD (again very hidden but can be very debilitating) and has recently been diagnosed with inattentive adhd. He is very bright but has very poor focus and is quiet so doesn’t often get noticed by teachers.

He has been on concerta for a week and we can both notice a significant difference which is amazing and he has had no side effects.

The only issue is some really bloody unhelpful people have told me all about the long term side effects and have made me feel really guilty both for getting him assessed and medicating him.
These people don’t even know he’s been diagnosed but were people I thought were supportive a couple of years ago and I shared we were starting the process. They also don’t ‘believe’ he’s autistic.
I feel worried, guilty and alone but equally more hopeful and optimistic for my son than ever.

The point of my post was for some support/ advice/ handhold

Anyone??

Hi Frogs

Sadly as parents of kids with additional needs we have to develop quite thick skins. Both my DC are inattentive and on Concerta, without it they were having real problems accessing their education and reaching their true potential both also with very high functioning ASD

Medicated they have done amazingly well at GCSE and are on course for excellent A level results

My DH, finally also diagnosed in his mid 50’s didn’t have the help and support or access to medication. Although he’s done well in life he and I both feel it could have been easier for him and it’s definitely affected his confidence

Given the choice to assess and medicate again, we would have done it sooner and have had no regrets. For DD in particular it really has changed her life

If you need more support there are lots of lovely parents over on the special needs thread who wrestle with the same situation who I’m sure would be happy to chat about their experiences

Thank you - even this thread has proved what a lonely place it is with SEN children x

To try and reassure you, most long term special needs posters are over in the other section but some of us pop in to this one when we spot someone who needs to find like minded souls

Where is the other section?

If you go to the main menu list, the next section after other stuff is special needs most people congregate in chat or education