Re: Jekyl and Hyde - Raena

[Guest guest]

> Do you have an alarm on your doors and windows so that you know

when

> he goes out? Might be worth the investment, if there is no way to

> keep him from leaving.

We did years back when he was nonverbal and a runner but that was two

houses ago.

In some areas, there is funding for hiring a

> caregiver for children who need it inhome (waivered services)...is

> that an option---I know it really isn't here, because there ain't

no

> money to fund it, even though it exists in theory.

Yes, it exists - in theory. Respite exists in theory also.

>

> One idea that occurs to me is to try something like a BearHug

> vest...provides constant calming input thru trunk and spine--has

> anyone tried that with him? Wouldn't do it alone, but in concert

> with meds, might help?

Never heard of it, but I bet he would like it! Do you have info on

it?

>

> Have you tried magnesium supplementation, or omega 3? Both make

> visibly calmer...worth a shot, perhaps?

We tried in the past but not more recently. Might be worthy of a

trial in combination with the meds. Heck, can't hurt.

>

> When a child gets older (and bigger), it gets very dangerous for

> other kids if there isn't a way to control the aggression. Is

there

> anywhere there to do a brief inpatient placement to get his meds

> under control? I hate even suggesting that, but it is something we

> considered with when he was so bad 3 years ago...and he was

> probably much smaller. Fortunately for us, the risperdal helped

him

> enough to make that unnecessary. But I know what you mean about

> needing a break...

Yeah. Pretty dicey. We have had to consider it when he was much

younger, actually we were advised to do so, but we were adamant we

could manage him, and we did but he was less than 50 pound too.

Then when things were so bad two years ago we almost had to go

there, but then during the medication trials we hit on the risperidol

and that saved us then, but things never stay constant do they?

>

> Don't know if any of that is new or helpful, but it's what occurs

to

> me at the moment (which is like, 6:45 am...)

Pretty good for 6:45 IMO!

>

[Guest guest]

,

I have no suggestions for you, but wanted to let you know I'm thinking of

you. How did today go?

ellen

Re: Jekyl and Hyde - Raena

> Do you have an alarm on your doors and windows so that you know

when

> he goes out? Might be worth the investment, if there is no way to

> keep him from leaving.

We did years back when he was nonverbal and a runner but that was two

houses ago.

In some areas, there is funding for hiring a

> caregiver for children who need it inhome (waivered services)...is

> that an option---I know it really isn't here, because there ain't

no

> money to fund it, even though it exists in theory.

Yes, it exists - in theory. Respite exists in theory also.

>

> One idea that occurs to me is to try something like a BearHug

> vest...provides constant calming input thru trunk and spine--has

> anyone tried that with him? Wouldn't do it alone, but in concert

> with meds, might help?

Never heard of it, but I bet he would like it! Do you have info on

it?

>

> Have you tried magnesium supplementation, or omega 3? Both make

> visibly calmer...worth a shot, perhaps?

We tried in the past but not more recently. Might be worthy of a

trial in combination with the meds. Heck, can't hurt.

>

> When a child gets older (and bigger), it gets very dangerous for

> other kids if there isn't a way to control the aggression. Is

there

> anywhere there to do a brief inpatient placement to get his meds

> under control? I hate even suggesting that, but it is something we

> considered with when he was so bad 3 years ago...and he was

> probably much smaller. Fortunately for us, the risperdal helped

him

> enough to make that unnecessary. But I know what you mean about

> needing a break...

Yeah. Pretty dicey. We have had to consider it when he was much

younger, actually we were advised to do so, but we were adamant we

could manage him, and we did but he was less than 50 pound too.

Then when things were so bad two years ago we almost had to go

there, but then during the medication trials we hit on the risperidol

and that saved us then, but things never stay constant do they?

>

> Don't know if any of that is new or helpful, but it's what occurs

to

> me at the moment (which is like, 6:45 am...)

Pretty good for 6:45 IMO!

>

[Guest guest]

> Yes, it exists - in theory. Respite exists in theory also. >

If the program is in place, you can sometimes get emergency status to

receive funding ahead of your " place " on the waiting list...maybe

worth checking out? Even though they say there is no money, they

will come up with it if approached right (meaning if it means someone

is in danger).

> Never heard of it, but I bet he would like it! Do you have info on

> it? >

BearHug vest are neoprene deep pressure vests sold by

SouthPaw...around $80. There are also other versions...can't

remember the names, but will check and get back to you--in the

meantime, you can see the BearHug on the SouthPaw site and get the

general idea. How big is (as in what size does he wear)? The

smaller ones are cheaper (natch).

Raena