Another piece!

Since the Strattera did nothing (or rather, did nothing to help - it did, in fact, have a pretty bad side effect), our doctor decided to try a different medication for JT's ADD (he's not the hyperactive subtype of ADHD, so I'll leave the H out :) ).

This time we are on the mildest stimulant there is.

Since The Hubs and I agreed we wanted to see the effects with our own eyes before sending him to school on it, we gave him a dose on Sunday.

We headed to the Discovery Place, where we played for 3 hours, including a 45 minute IMAX movie (Sea Rex).

JT did amazing. He was calm the entire time. He sat through the whole movie (this is a HUGE deal, he has never quietly sat through a movie - added bonus, he could recall all the movie info later, so he was really paying attention!). There was no squeaking out of anger, no fussiness, nothing. He was very compliant, following our directions and staying with our group the whole time. We saw the opposite of the possible side effect of aggressiveness (stimulants + autism can sometimes lead to that) - he was snuggly and happy.

We did note a huge spike in energy levels that evening - our boy was back to lapping the living room, orbiting our furniture. I know I'll have to do homework with him before dinner to get the most out of his focus.

I was so excited to get JT's school bag and read his notes today. His teacher was watching for changes, and I knew she would see some big ones.

I opened his folder to see this:
"He was awesome today."

The beauty of stimulants is he won't be taking them weekends, the summer or any day he doesn't have school. It's nice that it's out of his system before 12 hours is up.

So, it appears we have found another piece of the puzzle of JT :)

Image found here. 

Not working.

JT has been on Strattera for ADHD (technically not a separate diagnosis, just part of autism) for roughly 3 weeks.

Unlike the risperdal, this medication has not been a life-changer.

In fact, teachers haven't seen any difference.

And we've seen some side effects that are concerning (now that he's off of it for a few days, those have disappeared, thankfully).

This means we go a step up in the medication of ADHD world, otherwise known as stimulants.

So we'll have a cardiology appointment for JT, complete with EKG and echo to make sure he didn't inherit my murmur or arrhythmia (both which would make it dangerous for him to be on a stimulant).

I know he needs it. I know that is the only thing holding him back. He needs to be able to focus to learn.

We do what we have to do to make sure JT fulfills his potential. And we trust his doctor. That itself makes the decision to move forward easy to make.

Decisions, decisions.

Our latest big decision in the parenting arena: to medicate or not to medicate.

Oh man, people tend to feel really strongly about this, even though it's not their kid and they don't have a clue what life with autism entails.

Reactions from those people have ranged from "Why would you consider meds?" (because of ASD related behaviors...) to "You know, you should make sure you have tried everything else first..."

Really?

I've spent the last 3 years avoiding them.

We've done ABA. We've had BIP's (behavior intervention plans). We have tried *everything*.

And you know... anyone who's met my son will tell you, he's doing amazing. He's a phenomenal little kid. He's sweet, smart, ornery and probably the funniest human being alive.

But these mood switches... wowza. He's like a freaking light switch, happy to furious in 1.25 milliseconds. He's mostly just into screeching, but occasionally we'll see him revert to clearing tables in a very dramatic fashion, or (this makes me cringe) even trying to swat his friends.

It has improved dramatically. He used to be uncontrollably aggressive. He is not anymore.

I see this as a sign that our interventions were very good - he learned to control what he could, and he tries so hard. But I think there comes a point when you have to say, "He needs help, and I can't give it to him." I'm having to accept that doesn't make me inadequate as a mother, that there may be things beyond therapies that I have to consider.

I put it off this long because I never, ever wanted to consider meds because they would make *my* life easier. I can deal with JT. I can deal with his explosiveness, his meltdowns, his 'flips'. It has come to the point, though, that those involved with him in the educational/therapy arena have noted that his behavior is the only thing holding him back from mainstreaming.

How sad would it be if my pride as a mother got in the way of his academic and social life?

The truth is, I asked around - his therapists, etc - to see what they thought... hoping they would say, "No, Kate. He's doing so great, he'll just grow out of this, too! No worries!" Instead, they felt the same way... "He's grown so much, but it appears he needs a little more help." They said that they felt medication would probably be a huge benefit for JT.

I just hate that the moment a parent suggests medication might help, they're demonized. I love my son. I want the best life for him.

Until the 'magic pill' comes along, I will combine therapies with whatever we decide with a doctor would best help JT.

I caught this quote today on an affirmation card, and it really hit home:
"What other people think of me is none of my business."

I need to post that card on my fridge, and use it as my mantra.