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Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on special needs.

Medication for a child on autistic spectrum

2 replies

WhatTheFrack · 02/08/2010 19:39

I've posted before about my DS1(8) under another name. He was diagnosed with dyspraxia years ago. We live in France and I've had terrible problems with school, I'm forever being dragged in with regard to his lack of concentration and other problems. School drafted in an educational psychologist and DS1 has been referred to an organisation which has an educational psychologist, occupational therapist type person and someone who helps with reading and writing. They've told me since that they think he is autistic, dyspraxic and dyslexic. DS1 is certainly eccentric and my suspicion would be something like ADHD of Asperger's, but I'm only going on off what I've read in the past nobody really talks to me and explains these things to me in detail.

DS is now having to repeat the year at school because he's been unable to concentrate this past year, he gazes out of the window, can't sit in his seat, is so forgetful and he has trouble maintaining friendships with other children, although he gets on well with them he's unable to concentrate on one particular activity for the whole of playtime so wanders off and they get bored with him. I've noticed in these holidays that his inability to sit still is getting worse.

He described inside his head to me as feeling like somebody was clicking through all the channels quickly on the TV - it breaks my heart to imagine him trying to cope with these things.

I have a friend in the UK whose son has ADHD and who has been on something like Ritalin for the past 12 months and she said it has made an amazing improvement on his life. I also got chatting to another lady the other day whose son was prescribed medication at 14 and she says who was exactly like DS1 and she says he would never have managed his GCSE's without medication.

I have an appointment with the psychologist tomorrow, would it be out of order for me to bring up the subjet of medication? I just want the best for my son, he's such a bright boy but can't apply himself to anything for a period of time and he's falling behind at school. His teacher was so frustrated with him last year, she told me he grasps explanations really quickly but when it comes to doing the exercises he sort of fades away.

Sorry for the length of this but as I say I have no one to talk to or discuss his issues with.

OP posts:
mariagoretti · 02/08/2010 20:43

For diagnosis of adhd and asperger's, and particularly medication you'll need a paediatrician opinion not only a psychologist. Here a child psychiatrist or community paed would fit the bill, or a neurodevelopmental paed. NHS structures for ADHD/asd vary between regions here. Not sure about France but I'm presuming that you have the right to seek a specialist opinion & get it reimbursed via health insurance?

mariagoretti · 02/08/2010 20:55

Just found this www.tdah-france.fr/ which looks like the French for Addiss & www.autisme.france.free.fr/ which might be a French NAS. I'd guess either could point you in the right professional's direction & tell you if the school is doing what they should. Sorry if I'm teaching my granny to suck eggs!

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