controlling violence in my 5 yr adhd aspergers son

[val222]

my son has just been diagnosed with ADHD,Aspergers and dyspraxia. I have been fighting for a diagnosis since he was three. He has violent outbursts where he will seriously bite,hit and push me. I have been covered in bruises and can find no way of controlling him when he is like this as he is like a wild animal. Afterwards he is sorry but I find it hard to stay calm when I am being attacked.I am a single parent and not in the best of health. I have tried time out,taking things way,going to bed early. Nothing works until he has calmed down himself. All I have been offered is social skills classes which are yet to start they say he is too young for medication. I have no help at all and the summer holidays I dread so much that i would rather do anything than try and survive them again. He is also very clingy and I have been told he has the intelligence of an 8 year old and the emotional development of a 4 year old - he is 6. Can anyone help please?

[Babs62]

A related discussion, Improving overall but Horrific exceptions was started.

[suzanne1231]

A related discussion, Stronger medication than Risperdal was started.

[janjan42]

my 5 yr old son has ADHD and High functioning autism as well.  He is also very violent and agressive.  He has been on Focalin Xr 15mg since he was 4yrs.  It helps alot.  He has also taken Risperdal at age 4yrs which worked like a miracle drug for him however his father who is not in the home threw a fit about the Risperdal so he is not taken it at this time.

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

There is no simple answer if, indeed, your son displays the conditions you describe. However, it is reasonable to focus on what might be called 'symptom reduction' - i., lessening of the aggression and volatility. Generally speaking, symptom reduction is achieved through pharmacological treatment. While use of medications with children so young is approached in a very conservative manner, it is possible to employ medication with a child as young as your son is. Specifically, it would be very reasonable for you to speak with his providers about using Risperdal, a medication approved for use in the treatment of autistic-spectrum disorders with children as young as five years of age.