I haven't blogged about this yet, because it can be such a controversial subject, and rightly so, Putting your child on medication is an extremely tough decision. One year ago, we started our journey. Last year after Cotton's evaluation, the doctor recommended a trial on an ADHD medication. We had wrestled with this decision for a really long time, and decided to try it. We started with the short release kind, and had good result, then we had to "tinker" with the all day kind, one brand gave Cotton anxiety, the next brand we tried was a good fit.
So here are the pros and cons. The pros, Cotton without meds is a sensory mess. Jumping flapping, throwing himself around, and absolutely zero impulse control. Not to mention the NEVER ENDING VOCAL STIMS!!! He is not little anymore, I can't put him in a stroller or hold his hand, or even hold him down anymore. When he sees a button, HE MUST PUSH IT. With the meds he is calm, he has much better impulse control, he is not as sensory seeking, and can focus on a task, follow direction, and resist the urge to flee:)
The cons, and this is a big one. He is flat, he is not the jumpy happy, joyful ball of fun, that he is off the meds. He is quiet, the vocal stims decrease significantly, but so does the purposeful communication. He is not a total zombie or anything, but less goofy for sure. So, do the pros outweigh the cons? Right now, yes. The meds work for school, keeps him focused and able to function. They give the family the freedom to go to church, restaurants etc. without the effort that it once took to keep him regulated. In the evenings when the meds wear off, he is his normal bouncey little self. I admit I miss the goofiness during day, I worry that he is too flat, but really the benefits are worth it. He asks for his medication, he knows the difference. I can't honestly say whether we have made the right choice, but it is what we have chosen.
About Me
- burgiboogie
- I blog about autism, albinism, my three "active" boys, and life a military family.
3 comments:
I'm so glad to read this. We are probably going down this road, too. I've thought for some time that Oliver probably also has ADHD and it really interferes with his ability to learn. Just as you describe, he is so sensory seeking, so full of energy that I worry he isn't achieving to his full potential. What you said about the decrease in purposeful communication gives me reason to pause a bit. We are about to get a communication device and I would hate for it to have an impact on his ability to use it. But with the increased ability to focus maybe it will balance out?
Christine, It is true that he communicates less, but it is hard to describe. Off meds, he will say the same thing 100 times, so if he wants to go to the pool he will say "mama pool" over and over and make you repeat it. On meds he only needs to say it 5:)
So he still communicates, it is just not with repetition.
he still says things just not as much, does that make any sense? When you are use to hearing sounds and words all day, and then don't hear them all the time it feels very quite when he is well quiet:)
Good luck it has been a journey of insecurity and second guessing for me:P There are just no right answers here, because ADHD meds do not work the same in ASD kids.
Thanks for posting your pros and cons. Definitely something we are about to embark on, begrudgingly...
Post a Comment