Good News from the Teacher!
We had a meeting yesterday to discuss AJ’s current BIP, or Behavior Intervention Plan. After a rough start to the year (and I am sure some of you remember my rantings and ravings about his Occupational Therapy) AJ is finally starting to make some really GOOD progress.
In the last few weeks we have seen tremendous gains not only at home, but also at school. We started him on Risperdal about two weeks ago after seeing a Psychiatrist because he was having rages that he was not remembering (and in public, nonetheless). We were a little nervous about putting him on a drug with so many side effects (drooling, tics and twitches (which can be irreversible), sleepiness, increased OCD tendencies, increased urination, and rapid weight gain because of increased appetite) because he also takes Clonidine for sleep but he seems to be doing very well and tolerating it well.
Side Effects
AJ has had some side effects but most of them have been good. He does have an increase in appetite, which we have to monitor closely because of his hypoglycemia and he has, we believe, gained some weight. He also has had some constipation but we are not sure if that is because we are staying at my parent’s house or it that can be attributed to the medication.
He is tired but he is also more calm. He actually laid down with me on Thursday morning and took a 20 minute nap on his own accord…he told me he wanted a nap, asked me to join him and fell asleep. When he woke he smiled at me and hugged me.
That evening at 6:30 he told me it was sleepy time and asked for his night-night medicine so he could go to bed, walked into his bedroom at my parent’s house and got into bed…in his clothes. He fell right to sleep.
We have also noticed in the last day or two that he is making noises more than usual…he is yipping, screaming, and growling more. He is also swinging more at us. However, I think both of these things (and putting his hands in his mouth) are more sensory related than tic related (meaning Tourettes). He is also currently still on Dyflucan for yeast so this could also be the issue.
Benefits
AJ has been much more talkative and has been able to communicate his needs to us more frequently and more effectively. He is talking in more complete sentences as well as expressing his feelings more. Receptively, he is able to follow two or three step directions without visual prompts and is not frustrated with the directions like he used to be.
He is also able to calm quicker, listen better, and transition easier. He is starting to be able to reason, use cause-effect thinking, and is being very creative (a handmade kite). Additionally, he is being very independent and taking charge of things that a 5 year old should. If I ask him to help with a chore now he will (most often) do it. ie: carry towels or a box, put toys away, etc.
At school they are seeing the same things with speech, both receptive and expressive and they are very impressed.
I’m impressed with his mood, his humor, and his independence. He seems so much like a little boy now and it makes me SO happy.
Tags: risperdal, medication, OCD, autism, Fetal alcohol syndrome, risperdal side effects and benefits, hypoglycemia, receptive and expressive communication, transitions, cause-effect thinking, independence
May 20th, 2008 at 7:45 am
[...] In the past, neurologists have not played a large roll in the diagnosis and treatment of children with autism, as that role has been played by developmental pediatricians as well as pediatric specialists in the field of autism. Lately, the shift is for neurologist to play a more active role because autism is both based on brain and behavior. [...]