123 magic for ADHD, experiences please

[popgoestheweezel]

Since ds started on his meds he has become much more responsive and calm so it's occurred to me that we might give 123 another try.
When we did it before, 3 years ago, we found it too difficult to keep ds safe as he would meltdown but now maybe it is worth another try.
Recently we have been holding him securely for a minute each time he has hurt anyone. There is no talking, no eye contact, and we just count quietly to 60 then let him go. On occasion we have had to do a lot in succession, but it has dramatically reduced the number of times he hurts.
Also, dd (almost 10, nt) is being really challenging, lots of whinging, moaning and the usual pre teen stuff so maybe it could work well with her now?
Anybody got any experience of how this works for sn dc?

The big issue has always been that time out does not work for ds. He kicks off to the max, invariably moving into very dangerous territory very quickly. So a time out isn't an option. The holding has been effective since he has been on meds, the only trouble is, it could be very difficult to do out in public, not sure how we can get round that one.

My DS has ASD, but the symptoms he has are similar to ADHD, as they initially thought that's what he has.

He's also awful during time outs and 123Magic made no difference to us. A meltdown generally takes a lot longer than the prescribed minutes-per-age, and I would let him out and he would still be raging.

And he would never go in of his own accord, and he'd be generally very violent towards anyone trying to drag him to a time out.

123 Magic is also based on the premise that they will learn to correct their behaviour, which DS won't. The only thing that I find (marginally) useful is not arguing with him, not feeding it and making sure he calms down asap.

But public is awful. If anyone knows how to deal with this, please let me know. Mostly we just avoid taking DS anywhere too public.

ADHD wasn't identified anywhere near as early as it should have been. Our dr at camhs told is that he rang up to complain to the LA ed psych that she and the paed had referred him to Camhs as he felt they should both have identified the ADHD immediately. Instead two years went by before Camhs.
It is only since the meds there would be any chance of even being able to hold him for a minute. Before that he would explode and it would take an hour or so for him to calm. When I tried it a couple of years ago he would have had to have spent virtually the entire day in time out and it was just not something that we, as just two parents, without support, could do.
I am hoping we will have a different result now. It is the only option available to us as I have yo have some sort of response when he hurts people and the ''holding time out" gives me a chance to cool down too as i have to say it's not very pleasant to get a right hook in the jaw without warning.