Ideal medication for a 4 year old

[Concerned_Mom427]

My son has autism and he has recently been diagnosed with Social Anxiety Disorder. His behavior in school is absolutely horrible, and the teacher brought it to my attention that he acts out even worse when there a large number of students in the class. That on top of other ackward behaviors led the Pediatrician to think he had anxiety issues as well as Autism. He was prescribed Zoloft 10mg once daily and he was only on it a week and his behavior was totally worse. He became even more aggressive and violent.  I am simply seeking a good medication "kid friendly" that will serve as somewhat of a tranquilizer while he is in school, because he is extremely hyperactive at school. Does anyone have any suggestions or a similar story with any solutuions??

[Sally44]

Anxiety is a result of something.  So medicating anxiety does not remove the 'thing' causing the anxiety.
IMO, all other avenues should be explored and medication looked at last.  Unfortunately referring our children to the appropriate professionals eg. Educational Psychologist, Speech and Language Therapist, Occupational Therapist, Specific Learning Disability Teacher, Autism Teacher etc costs money.  It is cheaper for the school and health system to push parents towards medication.
As a parent I would find out what the special educational needs laws are in your area and ensure your children are getting access to the right professionals and that their 'needs' are being met and supported in school.
When that happens alot of the anxiety reduces and disappears.

[Natta1980]

What I've heard that medications that are commonly used to treat mood disorders and attention problems (i.e. stimulants) have at times increased aggression in children on a spectrum

Most children on a spectrum have anxiety issues, it seems to be actually an integral part of the disorder - they percieve the world as a dangerous place hence they tune themselves out

My son is an angel at home but goes haywire at school - especially when it is noisy.
See if he can get more "sensory breaks" when he needs them, and also OT/auditory training can be helpful. Think of it as his brain is a very busy office, except receptionist is out with flue. Everybody is going in and out, as they please, haos, noise, nothing gets done, you get the picture. The more inputs (people, brightly colored pictures on the walls etc), the more haotic it gets. You get the picture. My son has developed fear of children screaming when he started Kindy. Has not been a problem while he was at daycare with the smaller class size.

Not sure if sensory part can be helped wth meds....


Good luck by all means - it is difficult, especially to get it through the teacher that he does not do it to be mean/hurtful. He is just having a "fight or flight" response

[Concerned_Mom427]

Thank everyone for the information it is greatly appreciated.

[aikidokan]

I am a Master's level student almost done with my internships, and hopefully I will soon be licensed at a professional counselor.

I currently work with developmentally delayed children doing behavioral modification. We work with children who have autism, along with aggression, self injurious behaviors, hyperactivity, and a whole slew of other mental illnesses.

What are his behaviors at home? Is home time carefully structured, or does he get to do or have whatever he wants? Are his sensory needs being met at school? Is "sensory needs" a familiar term to you?

I don't believe medication should be the first option, especially for a 4 year old. Have you met with a psychologist? Psychiatrists and pediatricians are more likely to push meds at you.

[specialmom]

Hi,  it is my understanding that the class of drugs that zoloft is part of-----  the seratonin reuptake inhibitors will affect the sertonin levels of the brain (increases it) so that a person can properly function.  It works to relieve anxiety and social anxiety.  It has a start up period of 2 to 4 weeks in which a person can have different types of side effects.  They can become agitated for one.  Some go the other way and get sleepy.  But these side effects are transient in that they are start up side effects.  They peter off quickly.  They do not make someone sleepy as the first poster is looking for.  They are not tranquilizers in anyway.  They don't work on a developmental delay but are for psychiatric issues such as depression, ocd, social anxiety, anxiety and panic.  Risperdal is a HEAVY duty drug that came out to treat schizophrenia.   They've started using it in other ways for children at low doses but make no doubt about it----  this is a drug to be careful of.  It is an antipsychotic by nature.  I think the main complaint is that it has an initial affect and then peters out.  Good med but not for every kid and it is to be taken very seriously if prescribed for your child.  Good luck.  

[Sandra322]

i have a 3 year old daughter that has the same problem the dr said she had anxiety ocd and was mildly autistic they put her on zoloft .25 mg once a day and the same thing happened they have her on risperidone and so far so good you might want to ask about that she has to take it twice a day plus if she becomes really angry she can have one in the middle of the day as prn. good luck i hope everything works out for you