Risperidone for 4 yr old

[lions234]

We just got my stepson for the summer and most of the fall and his mother has him on .5mg of risperidone twice daily. she says he has crazy outbursts and sensitory issues but any time we have had him even before the start of the medication there was never a problem.  It seems his behavior is only when he is with his mother.  She failed again to inform my husband about any doctors visits so we didn't find out about the risperidone until about 2 weeks after he got here (my husbands mother brought him to us and she was told about the medicine and assumed we knew) since he had been off for two weeks and then taking him to our pediatrician, we all felt it was better to keep him off and get him re-evaluated.  he has his pysch eval next week.  I am more concerned with the fact that he does great here with us and is a normal 4 year old, but with his mother he supposidly turns into a monster.  is medication really needed if his behavior is enviormental?

[Jaquta]

If his behavior is the result of his environment then the answer would be no, he doesn't need it.  Managing his environment or helping him to manage his (difficult for a four year old) would be better solutions.
If this is how he behaves with his mother either she needs parenting skills or he needs to be removed from her care.  Or he can stay and develop issues.

Don't make any decisions until after he has been properly evaluated and you've had a chance to discuss your concerns with the doctor.

J

p.s.  I'm sure there are other options but make sure you decide based on what is best for your stepson.

[Ted A Grossbart, Ph.D.]

As neither a kid nor a drug expert I won't take this one on other than to say I think you concern is well warranted.

tg