Re: risperdol and behavior

[Guest guest]

That discussion was begun when my son, age 14 started on Risperdol in August.

He very rapidly gained 20 lbs. Although he self limits his diet to carbs and

meat, he was asking and seeking more food all the time. We began Propanalol for

2 reasons - one in the hope that it would cut his appitite and 2 so that he

could gain more impulse control. We are now playing with the dosage of

Propanalol. His weight stabalized at a 10 lb weight gain. His aggressive

behavior is beginning to surface again. So now the Propanalol has been

increased to counter adrenaline effects caused by anxiety?, fear?, frustration?

However, today the second day on the increased dose, while out with his

specially trained Behavior Specialist and his specially trained therapeutic

support staff, after eating in a restaurant " very nicely " they reported, Elie

suddenly, without warning, started to hit out at them. Being a glutton for

punishment, I asked for an antecedent of the behavior and received the stock

answer of " nothing " .

Seems to me that antecedent of the behavior was too much time in the restaurant.

But I have proceeded to agree to issue consequences - no soda or videos until

he apologizes to the behavior specialist. No outings with them until he

apologizes. He will apologize, but I don't think he will remember. We will

see.

Sara

>>> karen.cornell@... - 03/25/0 6:53 AM >>>

From: karen.cornell@...

This is my first email to the digest since I joined the forum several months

ago. My son who is thirty and has Down Syndrome has been diagnosed with many

mental health disorders over the past fifteen years (obsessive compulsive/

depression/ anxiety/ bipolar. He has been given many medications as well. My

son did not show behavioral signs of trouble until his early teen years although

things like dangling his shoe by a lace and shaking it in front of his face was

something he did do as a child. He was basically a happy kid getting by in

Special Education which is not to say doing much. After puberty he seemed to

change. It was not until a year or so ago that we asked a woman named Barb Doyle

to observe (my son's name). She believes he is autistic and explained there

is great variation in how the disorder effects each individual. We have not had

any evaluation done to make an official diagnosis but this information changed

the way I precieve my son's challenging behavior. I now know that he

communicates through his behavior and that communication is where his disability

is most profound. So, I have read this digest with avid interest. Though school

issues no longer concern me, learning methods do. Also communication and

medication information are areas I track closely. We are considering Risperdol

for . He lives in a residential facility now and we keep trying to get more

individualized attention and programs for him. I work at a clinic for adults who

have Down syndrome and some times tell the doctors what I have read on this

digest. I thought I had read something about a medication taken with Risperdol

to counter act the weight gain side effect. For my own interest and because the

doctor asked, I am writing to see if anyone remembers this discussion and what

this medication was. I so appreciate all the frank discussion that goes on here

and though I am older and at a different place in my life than the rest of you I

have gain much knowledge in the brief period I have been reading your

interactions. I am hopeful other parents of adults with these issues will join

in as well. I am hopeful I will hear from one of you concerning the weightgain &

risperdol medications.

[Guest guest]

At 02:57 PM 3/25/00 -0500, you wrote:

>From: MIDVALE <Midvale@...>

>Seems to me that antecedent of the behavior was too much time in the

restaurant.

Perhaps too much time in the restaurant and too many conversations that

didn't really include him but went " around " him? Hmmm?

Sara you always amaze me at your analysis of thing....why they would even

question you I have no idea.

j

[Guest guest]

Meanwhile, I packed all the videos away in a locked suitcase. Elie slept a mere

4 hours last night coming in and begging for a video. Today all day while we

were out " antiquing " , Junking, etc he kept begging for videos. My DH and I have

decided that this is NOT a natural consequence of the hitting event and sucks

big time. Besides, he has fingernail marks on one arm that are inflammed and

fester - I have short nails, my husband none which leaves the behaviorist or the

TSS person. I think we will discontinue services next week. He will apologize

to them for hitting, but I really think he has no clue that this behavior caused

his videos to disappear.

Besides, the goal was to order food, eat in a restaurant neatly, toilet

appropriately, and leave. TTwo out of three ain't bad!

Sara

>>> jmedlen@... - 03/26/0 12:47 AM >>>

From: " Joan E. Guthrie Medlen " <jmedlen@...>

At 02:57 PM 3/25/00 -0500, you wrote:

>From: MIDVALE <Midvale@...>

>Seems to me that antecedent of the behavior was too much time in the

restaurant.

Perhaps too much time in the restaurant and too many conversations that

didn't really include him but went " around " him? Hmmm?

Sara you always amaze me at your analysis of thing....why they would even

question you I have no idea.

j

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