ADHD AND TICS TREATMENT

Our grandson is 7.  Last year was the best year ever; he excelled academically and began to read; he was happy and really things rocked along well using focalin for the ADHD and Risperdal for mood swings/depression which stem from witnessing domestic violence. at end of school year he developed tics that started with eye rplling and balance issues so severe we went to the Emerg. Room.  Discontinued all meds and he was a mess.  Then eyes stopped and head shaking started, that stopped and shoulder shrugging started, now he's putting both arms over his head and flexing them like taking his shoulder out of joint.  we tried clonodine - he was falling asleep and it really didn't do much for him, we tried seroquel, he was sleeping and depressed.  The only thing that keeps his moods stable is Abilify which he had taken in the past with success.  But what can we do to address the attentional issues and the  intermittent varying tics in the classroom?  He was a wreck after Kindergarten and convinced he was stupid.  First Grade was so great and he developed some confidence.  Any suggestions on med combinations that might help these issues?

[Sandman2]

   Tough question.  My first thought is to read anything but books by Beggins in this situation.  He has some great ideas for kids that do not have medical conditions.  Otherwise, his books (in my personal opinion) have done more harm then good.  
   If you google tics and adhd, you can get a lot of good information.  
    He sounds really stressed out.  There is a good chance that its the stress, not the meds that are causing the tics.  And if so, the tics could get worse by him having another poor year in school.    
I think that it is going to take some experimentation to find out what works for him.  He obviously has had a difficult past by the medications prescribed for him.  I feel for him.  
    Couple of site to start looking at.   http://www.everydayhealth.com/blog/a-doctors-personal-take-on-adhd/adhd-and-motor-tics-in-children/
     and    http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2002/02/020226075048.htm
     I do think that in this situation I would want to be dealing with a pediatric psychiatrist  due to what is going on.  And I would also realize that (as I said) he may take a bit of experimentation to find out what works best.  And, of course, anything that you can do to make his life better from "witnessing domestic violence" including counseling would be great.  best wishes.