Risperdal?

[Bayoubaby1]

My DS was prescribed this to help him sleep and to help him with his aggression and tantrums.  I am concerned because he is not even three yet and it has not been approved for use (by the FDA) in children under five.  He was only prescribed .25 mg, but I am jut not sure if it is normal to start meds this early?  Also, if anyone has a child on it how long did it take before you noticed a difference in behaviors?  BTW, he has slept ALL NIGHT for the last three nights since he started taking meds,

[inlightenwomen]

We have used Risperdal with our 12 year old son in the past, 2nd and 3rd grade, but due to weight gain he had to be taken off it. We had major problems with sleep so when he went off the meds he went back to not sleeping. Then we found Melatonin, it is a god sent. It is a natural supplement that has helped a lot of children with atuism and other disorders that effect sleeping. As for the agression we have tried behavioral programs that help with it.

Good luck.

[Sally44]

I think the anxiety is another big factor because, as your other post stated, high levels of adrenaline etc cause the fight or flight reflex and other chemical reactions to be going on continually throughout the day.  That make it very difficult for them in any environment let alone being at school and can also make it impossible to wind down and go to sleep.
Anything that can help with the removal of these chemicals is useful eg. no stimulents in food or drink and a daily exercise programme could help.  If the child is reluctant to leave the house you can use an exercise trampette, boxing punch bag, dance mat etc.
Some children find learning martial arts relaxing, or any other way of reducing stress and relaxing that you know of you can try to see if it helps.

[lsautism]

My son was on Abilify.  It is like Risperdone.  It worked wonders for awhile.  I really saw an improvement in him.  However, he gained 60 pounds in the year that he was on it and he developed fat around his liver.  We had to take him off of it.  Now we are trying to find something else.  He is almost 16 and he can tell me how he feels.  He says that he feels rage.  

He is not violent and never has been.  He just can't sleep and he has so much anxiety.  He is 6' 2" and weighed 283 pounds.  He is down to 259 since he went off of the Abilify.

I understand the need for meds.  It is the only way that my son can cope with school. We are thinking of pulling him out of school in May.  That will help with some of his issues.  We are still trying meds, though.  He needs to get some relief from anxiety and the sleep issues.

[maxie67]

My ds 11 has been taking risperdone since August and medication never entered my head but his anxiety was so severe and aggression  at home and school with support and pecs symbols.  Nothing worked at all he couldnt even be spoken to and would not tolerate people.  Since taking risperdone a small dose 0.5mg mornings, it has tremendously helped my ds son with hardly any anxiety and aggression and is happy more in himself.  The medication took about 2 weeks when we really noticed how calm and less aggressive he was and much easier to reason with verbally and using pec symbols.  He is now sleeping very well just a little earlier.  He does eat a little more but he did lose quite a bit of weight before the medication with agitation so that was fine.  

He has been on risperdone for 4 months now and things are going really great!

[Sally44]

Then you just have to go with what works for you, your son and your family.  But always make sure the environment (school/home) and supports (professionals, strategies etc) are in place and working and then any medication to help on top of that.  It is not fair to medicate a child who cannot cope, just to keep them in a mainstream school if that school and the teachers cannot meet that child's needs - I just give that as an example, and I am sure you know that already.  Good Luck.

[Bayoubaby1]

Sally,

Meds are a last resort.  I already feel guilty about them, but he does not sleep much at all, and I am a full-time teacher and I need to sleep some...most night I get 2-3 hours if I am lucky.  I am so tired that I can hardly function most days...then factor in all of DS's issues and it makes for an even rougher ride.  I am a ton more concerned about his well being than I am about me getting some sleep.  We had an evaluation on Friday and he definately met the criteria for Aspergers...we still have to take more testing to see if it is HFA or Aspergers.

[Sally44]

This is only my own opinion.  But for me any kind of medication is the last resort, especially whilst their brains are growing.  All medicines have side effects.  Some of the medication prescribed for autism/ADHD can have permanent effects such as tics etc.  Also, you don't have a diagnosis yet, so how do they know what to prescribe?  I know other parents who have had hormes prescribed to help with sleep.  I also think that once you get a diagnosis that will help you know what kind of things to do because alot of the agression might be down to sheer frustration at not being able to communicate, or because you are doing things that are just rubbing him up the wrong way (from an autistic perspective).  Once you get him into the routine of a daily picture schedule, with a time timer, and use strategies such as counting 1 - 2 - 3 to help him transition, then alot of the agression may go away.
If the lack of sleep is really causing a problem you could ask your child's paediatrician what other things might work.  Once you know the diagnosis then that should also help with any decisions about medication.  Also, if you both work, there is a greater need for you both to get your sleep.  I don't work, so if he wakes me in the middle of the night it is not such a catastrophy.  
You could also work on a good bedtime routine eg. some physical activity to tire him out and then gently wind it down, ending with a bath and bed.
As a last resort you will have to go with what works.  But also google the drug name and side effects and question your doctor about all you read about it.  I believe risperadal is linked to a condition that causes permanent tics, but research it yourself to be sure.  Having slept all night for the last three nights is great, especially if you are sleep deprived.  But if you had the choice between sleepless nights and a side effect or permanent damage, then you may decide to make a different choice.  
Also be careful that your son is not prescribed drugs because that is a cheaper choice for the Health Service rather than using something like Applied Behavioural Analysis, or input from a Psychologist etc.