what to do

[learning2befree]

I have a ten year old that was diagnoed ADHD at age 5 then aspergers/HFA at age 7 now a mood disorder. the meds for ADHD always worked about 9 weeks then stopped. the school did all kind of tests and he fit the autism one. we continued to try ADHD meds but finally got to see a child psychiatrist who said J does have ADHD and he also has a mood disorder he wouldnt call it bi-polar due to his young age he said  the meds for the ADHD were causeing anxiety and an ulcer he took him off all stimulants and put him on Abilify now the school os calling of the hook basically demanding ADHD treatment I dont want to hurt my son anymore I need advice PLEASE

[deeyana]

I'm sorry to hear things are not going well. I'm glad to hear he's happy tough.
Why would you say that you have to take him out of school?  Does your son have an IEP or 504? Does he have a BIP set up for him at school? Has he had an educational evaluation?

[learning2befree]

i have talked with his teacher with the school boards special education advisor present and told them I wasnt doing A thing intil he got checked out by another psyciatrist and got his G.I. to make sure that he didnt have an ulcer from the stimulants right now my son is on no meds cuz Abilify is marketed to adults probably never studied in children and its very new I wont use my ten year old as a test dummy. (also so you bnow he is ten now thats when he was diagnoses w/mood disorder)  I have treated with ADHD meds in the past and over the past couple years he has become very anxious and depressed and complaines of stomache pain & very under weight till this past summer I got fed up and took him off meds slowly w/o even telling dr.and teachers didnt want t o hear their mouth but off the meds he is happy jusy SUPER hyper he also has very bad social problems from the aspergers I guess I never believed he had Autism but Aspergers fit but due to the social problems I dont want to take him out of school I want him to learn to make friend damit I so lost and this is my son my heart and I dont even know whats best or even better for him :(

[deeyana]

Hey jenni, Did you right the letter? I hope everything is going better.

[Dknd4v]

I am going thru the same things with my son. He hasnt entered school yet but is being diagnosed by the childrens hospital in our area. Once a school starts his evaluation it becomes their need to treat him, not with meds, but with services and referrals. Meds are for his parents and doctors to decide only, and even then you still dont have to medicate your child. This is one of the rules in the handbook like jayncandi had said they are 100% correct on that! Also it should state nowhere on his IEP that he has to take meds for any condition, unless his personal care phyician feels that without them he is a threat to himself or others. The school can say they will take action if he becomes violant and it is deemed due to lack of needed medication, but even then NO ONE can force any parent to medicate their child, not even their doctor. Thats why America has a second opinion law lol. Your doing the right things here! Keep it up stay strong, its parents lke you that make me that much more comfortable with my decision to not medicate my child. THANK YOU!
Proud Parent of wonderful Children (Aspbergers, ADD, ADHA, Sesnsory Deprivation, Pregmatic Speech)

[deeyana]

Oh I almost forgot. At the end of your letter  ask them to put a copy of the letter in your child's permanent student file.

[deeyana]

It's my understanding that they can get in BIG trouble for even saying the word medication. This is your legal decidtion.Write a letter threatening  them about taking legal action against them if they continue to try to pressure you , ask  or even mention the word med. Make sure the principle also receives  a copy. Along with this letter you should include a letter from your DR ( not that you have to). Also include that if they have anything else to say to you about this matter to let you know in writing ,you no longer  wish to discuss this matter over the phone or speak to anyone off the records. This will make them back off and be VERY careful about the subject.

[jayncandi]

As far as I know the school cannot DEMAND adhd treatment.  That violates your rights as a parent to make decisions for your child.  Get a copy of the policies for your school district.  Be an advocate for your child by informing yourself of the laws in your area.  Clearly there is more going on with him and I would not treat anything until I was positive what his diagnosis is.  I find it hard to believe that at age 7 he has adhd, aspergers/hfa, autism, and a mood disorder.  

There are usually excellent clinics at the university hospitals.  They are specialists and can do the most complete evaluations.  You can google for the ones closest to you and probably find something in the pediatric mental health department.
Good luck!