Sew What’s Up Presents
The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was
retired in August 2007. It is being provided by
“Sew What’s Up,”
which serves as the new home for many members of “Sew What’s New.”
From: MaryW
Date: 11-07-2006, 10:19 AM (1 of 11)
|
My grandson has asperger's syndrome. Most of you know this. Now the drs. say he may have to take AdderalRx. Anyone have any experience with this for kids?
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
|
From: Magot
Date: 11-07-2006, 10:38 AM (2 of 11)
|
This is for ADHD, yes? This http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=19972 was from 2005 - I have no idea how relevant it is in your case. Otherwise not heard of it. love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us Cells a Speciality DNA to order. |
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002 Total posts: 3626 
|
From: lizzybugsmommy
Date: 11-07-2006, 11:10 AM (3 of 11)
|
Mary I would seriously disscuss this with the Dr. first. It scares me. Is there an alternative to this? I would perfer one with out so many risk. What are the benefits this drug will have on his aspergers? Please let us know what the dr says. Good luck.
Catherine
http://www.photoworks.com/share/shareSignin.jsp?shareCode=A0E42A2C202&cp=ems_shr_a lb_pml&cb=PW Husbands gone fishing..... I've gone fabric shopping |
User: lizzybugsmommy
Member since: 05-20-2006 Total posts: 207 |
From: SheliaHC
Date: 11-07-2006, 11:41 AM (4 of 11)
|
Try this website. One of my doctors suggested this site to me. He told me I could find out everything I needed to know when I had to have a breast biopsy. Since then I've used this site whenever I needed info about anything medical. http://www.webmd.com/ Hope this helps. Shelia |
User: SheliaHC
Member since: 12-28-2005 Total posts: 95 |
From: cshortsew
Date: 11-07-2006, 08:28 PM (5 of 11)
|
Hi Mary, I work with autistic children and in the past worked with children with a variety of disabilities. Many students I know have been on adderal or similar meds, it is an individual situation. The students with autism have improved attention the only drawback was temporary "tics" and or headaches until the correct dosage was achieved. Sometimes it affects the appetite too. Also if one med such as adderal doesn't work sometimes one of the others will. Hope this of some help. Carol cshortsew
Projects Completed in 2007: Sewing: biscuit quilt, 7 baby dress sets, piggy pillow, 7 baby pants, eyeglass holder, purse, 5 baby outfits, toddler dress set Crocheting: red purse, piggy slippers, sweater shawl, 5 pr. sock trims, 89 squares, baby sweater, 2 afghans, toddler harness, baby poncho, baby dress Other: 14 Autism pins Works in progress: Sewing: toddler overalls & shirt Crocheting: vertical stripes afghan |
User: cshortsew
Member since: 06-28-2006 Total posts: 380 |
From: Sherri
Date: 11-07-2006, 09:53 PM (6 of 11)
|
Well we were told then we couldn't medicate our Aspergers child. He does not have tics or attention problems. (ie he is hyper focused not unfocused.) Sher My website
|
User: Sherri
Member since: 02-07-2001 Total posts: 357 |
From: lendube
Date: 11-07-2006, 10:07 PM (7 of 11)
|
Hi Mary, My friend's 10 y/o son has Asperger's and I emailed her first thing this a.m. when I read your post. She answered me this evening and this is what she had to say. She's a wonderful, sweet person, a teacher herself. She suffers from Lupus so it's just a tough life for some very wonderful people. "Yes I do know Adderal. We are trying a small dose (just started Sunday). We won't know anything for a while though. From what I understand though it is not a treatment for Asperger's itself, but more for some of the behaviors or other disorders that often go along with Asperger's such as ADHD. At least that is our case. I've been very reluctant to use it or any drugs. It is only to try to help improve his ability to actually focus during school hours and maybe lessen some of his inappropriate repetitive behaviors. I can recommend many different websites for info it she wants my address it's okay with me. Tell her to start with San Diego County Autism Society web page it will take her to many different places for info." If you want to be in touch with her personally let me know and I'll p.m. you with her email address. Her son was adopted as a newborn with problems and was just diagnosed within the last year with Asperger's. Btw, my friend is an accomplished seamstress and co-owner in a quilt shop in a town nearby. She teaches classes at the shop when she feels up to it. Take Care, Lennie |
User: lendube
Member since: 08-06-2006 Total posts: 1548 |
From: MaryW
Date: 11-08-2006, 09:28 AM (8 of 11)
|
Thanks everyone. I will think on this one for a while.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
|
From: lara m
Date: 11-08-2006, 02:51 PM (9 of 11)
| I know you are in Canada Mary but here in California there is a place that treats ADHD and autism with no meds. It is called the Drake Institute. Maybe there is a place like that near you. I am not familiar with aspergers but it might help. And make sure you have a correct diagnosis before you do anything. Some Dr's are so quick to say they have this or that etc. Be careful and God Bless you and your family. |
User: lara m
Member since: 05-06-2003 Total posts: 65 |
From: Bama
Date: 11-08-2006, 10:13 PM (10 of 11)
|
Mary, my son took Adderal for his ADHD for a short while when he was around 13. He didn't do well on it. It probably works for some kids, it just didn't for mine since he also has TS. Sometimes side effects can be worse than the reason for medicating. We found that with alot of meds that he tried. Hang in there. Our son needed meds less and less the older he got. Now at 18 he doesn't take any. |
User: Bama
Member since: 03-21-2000 Total posts: 2116 
|
From: PaulineG
Date: 12-02-2006, 05:17 AM (11 of 11)
|
Adderall is a medication that is given for ADHD and ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder without the hyperactivity element). My son was diagnosed with ADD about 5 years ago and Aspergers about 18 months ago. At the first diagnosis, and after much soul searching from my husband and I about whether or not we should go ahead he was given dexamphetine by the doctor. He improved in his ability to do his school work but we did find that some of the side effects were a bit worrisome (as it wore off he became very emotionally sensitive and it was a short acting medication). We then tried Ritalin LA (long acting) and had a much better result. His ability to focus on his schoolwork now is on par with his peers. This does not mean he's now an academic. Just that he doesn't need to deal with perpetual dreaminess and inattention. One of the things to consider with the decision is not just what the consequences of taking the medication will be but also what the consequences of not taking it could be. In my sons situation he was approaching the stage of refusing to go to school (at the age of 6). He was seen as a discipline problem by his teacher. He never acted up in the classroom or misbehaved in the playground - he just was unable to complete his work and this was viewed as deliberate. Partially this was because he was able to demonstrate his intelligence in some ways but unable to stay on task and finish the set work. He also began to view himself as being inferior to the other kids because of this. The diagnosis itself took a lot of pressure off (finally the teacher backed off a bit), but he was still not on a level playing field with his peers. The medication gave him this chance. Because we have no issues with his behaviour as such (although he can be quite thoughtless at times) we have chosen only to give him the medication for school - not weekends or school holidays. This does help to head off the main side effect which is related to slower growth and appetite reduction. This has never been an issue for my son (at 11 he is nearly 5 foot 4). The medication does not have any influence on the behavious solely attributable to Aspergers - social impairment etc. It does help with inability to focus and impulse control and these issues can relate indirectly to social abilities. My advice - look at all the alternatives and there certainly are many of them, but don't just consider the consequences of giving the medication - also consider the consequences of not giving it. It may be that the things that affected my son are not an issue for your grandson. Whatever decision is made - it is not an irreversible one. Medication can be trialled and stopped or not tried at all. I wish you and your family all the best with this. Pauline Pauline
|
User: PaulineG
Member since: 09-08-2006 Total posts: 901 |
Visit Sew What’s Up for the latest sewing and quilting tips and discussions.
This page was originally located on Sew What’s New (www.sew-whats-new.com) at http://www.sew-whats-new.com/vb/archive/index.php/t-20668.html
Sew What’s Up is hosted by ZenSoft