Re: Problems at school

[Guest guest]

This probably isn't what you are looking for, but has anyone suggested adding

an atypical antipsychotic? This made a big difference for my daughter when we

were having difficulty keeping her at school. It makes a big difference for

her obsessions also. It also allows her to do things like creative writing

again. Before it, her OCD would get in the way of her writing as she wouldn't be

able to move past a sentence she had written, as the words she chose wouldn't

be able to satisfy her OCD rules. My daughter also used avoidance a lot as her

compulsion and Risperdal has made a huge difference for her. Just a thought.

Good luck, Kim

In a message dated 5/21/2006 2:46:39 PM Central Standard Time,

rnmomo2@... writes:

On luvox 6 weeks and still

obsessing). I have offered to do anything that I can to help. The

therapist has no solutions to offer.

[Guest guest]

Sorry, Bonnie. I am not sure. We haven't tried Abilify. We did try Seroquel

and that was terrible for my daughter. The Risperdal worked great for her,

except that she has a gained a lot of weight and we have to change her meds

because of it. So, even though Seroquel and Risperdal were in the same family

she

had completely opposite results with them. Maybe Abilify is just the wrong med

for your son. Kim

In a message dated 5/21/2006 3:54:00 PM Central Standard Time,

rnmomo2@... writes:

He's on abilify too - perhaps not enough? 3 mg/day

Bonnie

[Guest guest]

Sorry, Bonnie. I am not sure. We haven't tried Abilify. We did try Seroquel

and that was terrible for my daughter. The Risperdal worked great for her,

except that she has a gained a lot of weight and we have to change her meds

because of it. So, even though Seroquel and Risperdal were in the same family

she

had completely opposite results with them. Maybe Abilify is just the wrong med

for your son. Kim

In a message dated 5/21/2006 3:54:00 PM Central Standard Time,

rnmomo2@... writes:

He's on abilify too - perhaps not enough? 3 mg/day

Bonnie

[Guest guest]

Bonnie, my daughter had panic attacks while trying to increase the dose on

the Risperdal. This stopped when we got to a dose that was better for her. Maybe

that is what is happening with your son. Maybe he is having panic attacks

because he hasn't gotten to the right dose for him of Abilify. Just a thought,

Kim

In a message dated 5/21/2006 4:17:02 PM Central Standard Time,

rnmomo2@... writes:

Thanks anyway Kim. Risperdal is something to think about

Bonnie

[Guest guest]

Bonnie, my daughter had panic attacks while trying to increase the dose on

the Risperdal. This stopped when we got to a dose that was better for her. Maybe

that is what is happening with your son. Maybe he is having panic attacks

because he hasn't gotten to the right dose for him of Abilify. Just a thought,

Kim

In a message dated 5/21/2006 4:17:02 PM Central Standard Time,

rnmomo2@... writes:

Thanks anyway Kim. Risperdal is something to think about

Bonnie

[Guest guest]

Bonnie,

What are his obsessions and what things/classes at school are

triggering them? Do you believe the therapist has addressed the

specific obsessions and given him any methods to work on while at

school? You said the therapist has no solutions to offer. Is this

because he/she has made suggestions that your son isn't able to apply

or that the therapist is not adequately trained to handle OCD?

Breaking down at school was my son's problem last year, and frankly,

the Zoloft was what made it more manageable, but until then he used

some distraction methods that helped a little, but basically, he was

just walking on pins and needles all day at school, often crying, and

then falling apart as soon as he got into our van. When his OCD

waxes, he still calls me sometimes from school with worries that

distract him from concentrating in class, but bascially he has had a

pretty good year (although he has had a bit of a waxing period in the

past couple months).

His therapist used thought stopping techniques (rubberband on the

wrist - pop wrist to distract) initially (although I don't think that

is generally recommended for OCD) and it did help a little at school

to get through until the meds kicked in. I had to go to school many

times and talk my son through his obsessions (worst-case-scenario

kind of talks based on his obsessions until his anxiety decreased) or

give him things to look forward to in the next few classes or after

school (if he could make it), etc. However, my son was in 6th grade,

which may have made it more of an option than it may be in with your

son right now because of his age.

At least school is almost out for the summer - I know it feels like

an eternity though. I wish I had more to offer; I always felt I

needed to keep him at school when possible because I was afraid if I

took him home too often, I would never get him to stay in the

future. He did have a wonderful guidance counselor whom he could

talk to many of the days, which helped him hang on the rest of the

day. It is hard to decide as a parent which road to take.

>

> My son's principal has taken on the role of behavior manager at his

> school. He began having panic attacks and outbursts in class when

> his meds were changed in March. He is still not stable on meds.

He

> gets upset when not allowed to go home (his compulsiveness if he

has

> some is to avoid what triggers his thoughts). We had set up a pass

> system where he could take a break when overwhelmed and it has gone

> from getting out of the class to demanding to go home. The

principal

> told me that was insisting to go home one day last week and

> began doing so. The principal admitted that he had to " hold " him

for

> 15 minutes before he would calm down! He never called me or told

me

> about this even after the fact!

>

> He said that if continues to have " temper tantrums " and

> behave in the same manner, he may have to suspend him!!! Later he

> turned things around to say that he didn't think that was

> behaving poorly. I suggested that he use his own resources to come

> up with a behavioral management plan instead of waiting for the

child

> study team to convene in a month and this was to no avail. I have

> explained OCD, provided written material, and his psychiatrist has

> explained the importance of staying in school. We obtained

> an aide (albeit only for 3 hrs without a child study team eval and

> IEP). has never been poorly behaved or disrespectful

before

> (3yrs preschool and kindergarten).

>

> I am working with the psychiatrist and even consulted another for a

> second opinion regarding his medicine (On luvox 6 weeks and still

> obsessing). I have offered to do anything that I can to help. The

> therapist has no solutions to offer.

>

> I don't know what to do right now, but I can't help but think that

> avoiding school is the wrong thing. Any ideas?

>

> Bonnie

>

[Guest guest]

Bonnie,

What are his obsessions and what things/classes at school are

triggering them? Do you believe the therapist has addressed the

specific obsessions and given him any methods to work on while at

school? You said the therapist has no solutions to offer. Is this

because he/she has made suggestions that your son isn't able to apply

or that the therapist is not adequately trained to handle OCD?

Breaking down at school was my son's problem last year, and frankly,

the Zoloft was what made it more manageable, but until then he used

some distraction methods that helped a little, but basically, he was

just walking on pins and needles all day at school, often crying, and

then falling apart as soon as he got into our van. When his OCD

waxes, he still calls me sometimes from school with worries that

distract him from concentrating in class, but bascially he has had a

pretty good year (although he has had a bit of a waxing period in the

past couple months).

His therapist used thought stopping techniques (rubberband on the

wrist - pop wrist to distract) initially (although I don't think that

is generally recommended for OCD) and it did help a little at school

to get through until the meds kicked in. I had to go to school many

times and talk my son through his obsessions (worst-case-scenario

kind of talks based on his obsessions until his anxiety decreased) or

give him things to look forward to in the next few classes or after

school (if he could make it), etc. However, my son was in 6th grade,

which may have made it more of an option than it may be in with your

son right now because of his age.

At least school is almost out for the summer - I know it feels like

an eternity though. I wish I had more to offer; I always felt I

needed to keep him at school when possible because I was afraid if I

took him home too often, I would never get him to stay in the

future. He did have a wonderful guidance counselor whom he could

talk to many of the days, which helped him hang on the rest of the

day. It is hard to decide as a parent which road to take.

>

> My son's principal has taken on the role of behavior manager at his

> school. He began having panic attacks and outbursts in class when

> his meds were changed in March. He is still not stable on meds.

He

> gets upset when not allowed to go home (his compulsiveness if he

has

> some is to avoid what triggers his thoughts). We had set up a pass

> system where he could take a break when overwhelmed and it has gone

> from getting out of the class to demanding to go home. The

principal

> told me that was insisting to go home one day last week and

> began doing so. The principal admitted that he had to " hold " him

for

> 15 minutes before he would calm down! He never called me or told

me

> about this even after the fact!

>

> He said that if continues to have " temper tantrums " and

> behave in the same manner, he may have to suspend him!!! Later he

> turned things around to say that he didn't think that was

> behaving poorly. I suggested that he use his own resources to come

> up with a behavioral management plan instead of waiting for the

child

> study team to convene in a month and this was to no avail. I have

> explained OCD, provided written material, and his psychiatrist has

> explained the importance of staying in school. We obtained

> an aide (albeit only for 3 hrs without a child study team eval and

> IEP). has never been poorly behaved or disrespectful

before

> (3yrs preschool and kindergarten).

>

> I am working with the psychiatrist and even consulted another for a

> second opinion regarding his medicine (On luvox 6 weeks and still

> obsessing). I have offered to do anything that I can to help. The

> therapist has no solutions to offer.

>

> I don't know what to do right now, but I can't help but think that

> avoiding school is the wrong thing. Any ideas?

>

> Bonnie

>

[Guest guest]

He's on abilify too - perhaps not enough? 3 mg/day

Bonnie

>

> This probably isn't what you are looking for, but has anyone

suggested adding

> an atypical antipsychotic? This made a big difference for my

daughter when we

> were having difficulty keeping her at school. It makes a big

difference for

> her obsessions also. It also allows her to do things like creative

writing

> again. Before it, her OCD would get in the way of her writing as

she wouldn't be

> able to move past a sentence she had written, as the words she

chose wouldn't

> be able to satisfy her OCD rules. My daughter also used avoidance a

lot as her

> compulsion and Risperdal has made a huge difference for her. Just a

thought.

> Good luck, Kim

>

> In a message dated 5/21/2006 2:46:39 PM Central Standard Time,

> rnmomo2@... writes:

> On luvox 6 weeks and still

> obsessing). I have offered to do anything that I can to help. The

> therapist has no solutions to offer.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

( What are his obsessions and what things/classes at school are

triggering them?)

He is afraid of " throwing up " and afraid that something will happen

to me while he is at school. He has bad thought OCD. A couple of

kids have gotten ill at school and that is why he has a " school

orientation " right now.

(Do you believe the therapist has addressed the

specific obsessions and given him any methods to work on while at

school?)

We are using distraction, relaxation, and hall passes. He cooperates

a lot of the time, but still requires a break from class.

(or that the therapist is not adequately trained to handle OCD?)

I question this and that's why the second opinion

I thought I might ask for Zoloft at the next pdoc visit. Can it be

given while Luvox is tapered? He was on Prozac before and became

suicidal

I will go to the school if they will call. I told them I would do

anything.

Thanks so much for your response - I really appreciate it.

Bonnie

[Guest guest]

Thanks anyway Kim. Risperdal is something to think about

Bonnie

[Guest guest]

3mg of abilify?? Usually the minimum dosage is closer to at least 5 to 7.5 mg to

do anything at all. How much dooes your ds weigh? I know it goes by weight.

hugs

Judy

rnmomo2 <rnmomo2@...> wrote:

He's on abilify too - perhaps not enough? 3 mg/day

Bonnie

[Guest guest]

3mg of abilify?? Usually the minimum dosage is closer to at least 5 to 7.5 mg to

do anything at all. How much dooes your ds weigh? I know it goes by weight.

hugs

Judy

rnmomo2 <rnmomo2@...> wrote:

He's on abilify too - perhaps not enough? 3 mg/day

Bonnie

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 5/21/2006 3:46:33 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,

rnmomo2@... writes:

I don't know what to do right now, but I can't help but think that

avoiding school is the wrong thing. Any ideas?

Bonnie

Sorry - I don't have any suggestions, but just had to say I'll keep you &

your son in my long list of prayer recipients (the list has gotten REALLY long

since I've joined this board!!!) And also, school is almost over for the

summer - hang in there best you can. Remind the Principal about the same

thing... just a few more weeks then you can all relax a little. I hope the

meds

work out soon.

LT

[Guest guest]

> He is afraid of " throwing up " and afraid that something will happen

> to me while he is at school. He has bad thought OCD. A couple of

> kids have gotten ill at school and that is why he has a " school

> orientation " right now.

>

> (Do you believe the therapist has addressed the

> specific obsessions and given him any methods to work on while at

> school?)

>

> We are using distraction, relaxation, and hall passes. He

cooperates

> a lot of the time, but still requires a break from class.

>

> (or that the therapist is not adequately trained to handle OCD?)

> I question this and that's why the second opinion

> I thought I might ask for Zoloft at the next pdoc visit. Can it be

> given while Luvox is tapered? He was on Prozac before and became

> suicidal

>

> I will go to the school if they will call. I told them I would do

> anything.

>

> Thanks so much for your response - I really appreciate it.

>

> Bonnie

Bonnie,

I don't know about tapering the meds, I think some folks have done

this successfully, but we were lucky enough that we hit the right one

right off the bat. Does your son have a safe person at school (such

as a guidance counselor to help calm him) he can talk with when he

has to leave the classroom? This was a tremendous help for my son to

stay at school during the worst episodes. It doesn't sound as if the

principal is equipped to handle this type of thing, and it also

doesn't sound as if the therapist is using any type of ERP to help at

this point, because the " throwing up " fear would be a classic one to

work out homework assignments to reduce the anxiety these thoughts

create. I have seen people post on here in the past about ERP for

throwing up - you could use imaginal exposure to let him imagine

actually throwing up, what that would entail, going through the whole

scenario etc., and letting the anxiety rise and hold it there until

it begins to fall. Has the therapist done anyting like this at all?

Hopefully, someone with that particular problem will jump in here and

give you some ideas. I wouldn't want to tell you anything that would

make it worse, but it doesn't really sound as if the therapist is

using ERP at all in areas where he/she definitely should be using

it. I hope the meds start working for your son soon, but it may take

the summer to get that straightened out. My son has the thoughts of

something happening to me, and that has been a tough one. He is

older than your son, so I have been able to address this one with the

fact that it " could " happen, but there is no reason to believe it

will, but if it does, he'll bury me, he'll be sad, but he'll be fine

with dad, grandma, etc. Over time, this has helped him, but he is 12

(almost 13), so I would think your son's therapist would be the one

helping you figure out how to help your son through this fear.

Hopefully, you will have luck in looking for a new therapist if this

one doesn't feel he/she can do anything further.

[Guest guest]

Thanks. He's about 60lbs.

Bonnie

> He's on abilify too - perhaps not enough? 3 mg/day

>

> Bonnie

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 5/22/2006 4:20:13 A.M. Pacific Standard Time, Bonnie

writes:

I am working with the psychiatrist and even consulted another for a

second opinion regarding his medicine (On luvox 6 weeks and still

obsessing). ...I don't know what to do right now, but I can't help but think

that

avoiding school is the wrong thing. Any ideas?

******** I'd be frustrated too!! Especially that they didn't call you

when he was having a meltdown. The number one thing that I've asked school

staff to do if comes to the office is to de-escalate her -- try to calm

her down. They are encouraged to call me if it doesn't work, and a few times

I've come in and calmed her down or taken her home.

Have they looked into adding an antipsychotic such as seroquel or

risperdal? My 13 y.o. is on 150 mg luvox (down from 200 mg. due to hyperness)

plus 200 mg. of seroquel and my 10 y.o. is on .25 mg. of risperdal plus prozac

and trazadone (for sleep). Both have WAY more problems with obsessions than

compulsions. The addition of these meds really helped.

Also, does your son's school have a school counselor on site? and a 504

plan? My 13 y.o. can excuse herself and go to the counselor's office when

needed. During med changes and severe stress we pull her out of school

temporarily into independent study. I think a counselor would be a much better

fit

than going to a disciplinarian.

Good luck to you....

Suzanne Stone

[Guest guest]

Hi,

Does he get interventions at school? Does he have a sensory diet where he is able to jump on a trampoline, run around, take a break, take a walk, swing on a swing, etc.? Can he go to a quiet place if he is overwhelmed? When my son started getting these, his behaviors improved. It helps regulate their system

Also, is he getting help at school? Does he get help with his anxiety and how to deal with it? Does he get social skills help? Have they done a Functional Behavior Analysis and a Behavior Intervention Plan for when he hits? If not, they need to. These are interventions to help him cope.

My son gets frustrated when he does not understand something at school and he will have behaviors then too.

Your son is not doing this on purpose and I am sure he does not know why he is doing it. He is probably frustrated or needs a break. But I am not a doctor either...just a mom who has a son with AS.

Shauna Craig

Saint Louis Asperger's Syndrome Support Network

www.stlaspergers.org

( ) Problems at school

My son has become aggressive towards his best friend at school and I don't know what to do. He is in a self contained classroom with seven other kids. For the past few weeks my son has been hurting his friend on purpose. He has punched him in the back a few times, today he punched him in the eye, and there have been times he just hits the other boy. Each time has been unprovoked.My son has no idea why he does this. The only thing I can think of is the fact that they like the same girl. My son is back to weekly home based counseling, weekly appts with his psychiatrist, and he is on 1ml risperdal twice daily. I am going to try and talk to his teacher before school tomorrow. I wouldn't have the patience to homeschool him and I want him to have the socialization he likes so well. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I do not want this boy to become afraid to go to school because of my son. His counselor didn't answer when I

called and his psychiatrist is out until Monday.

Thanks!

Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now.

[Guest guest]

I would ask to have an aide with him during the school day. This person can then stop him from hitting and instead, cue him to "use your words" and help him figure out what to say. I mean, is he mad? Angry? Excited? Happy? The aide could get a good look at what is happening just before he tries to hit, then go over things he could say with words instead of hitting. He might need cues like "I feel angry when..." or even have someone give him the whole sentence if you can tell what is upsetting at the time.

Otherwise, I would request an FBA so someone can figure out why he's doing it and what he should do instead of hitting.

RoxannaAutism Happens

( ) Problems at school

My son has become aggressive towards his best friend at school and I don't know what to do. He is in a self contained classroom with seven other kids. For the past few weeks my son has been hurting his friend on purpose. He has punched him in the back a few times, today he punched him in the eye, and there have been times he just hits the other boy. Each time has been unprovoked.My son has no idea why he does this. The only thing I can think of is the fact that they like the same girl. My son is back to weekly home based counseling, weekly appts with his psychiatrist, and he is on 1ml risperdal twice daily. I am going to try and talk to his teacher before school tomorrow. I wouldn't have the patience to homeschool him and I want him to have the socialization he likes so well. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I do not want this boy to become afraid to go to school because of my son. His counselor didn't answer when I called and his psychiatrist is out until Monday.

Thanks!

[Guest guest]

I will see what they say about his own aide. I don't know if they will agree to that though. He is in a self contained class with six other students, one teacher, and two aides. What is an FBA?

( ) Problems at school

My son has become aggressive towards his best friend at school and I don't know what to do. He is in a self contained classroom with seven other kids. For the past few weeks my son has been hurting his friend on purpose. He has punched him in the back a few times, today he punched him in the eye, and there have been times he just hits the other boy. Each time has been unprovoked.My son has no idea why he does this. The only thing I can think of is the fact that they like the same girl. My son is back to weekly home based counseling, weekly appts with his psychiatrist, and he is on 1ml risperdal twice daily. I am going to try and talk to his teacher before school tomorrow. I wouldn't have the patience to homeschool him and I want him to have the socialization he likes so well. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I do not want this boy to become afraid to go to school because of my son. His counselor didn't answer when I

called and his psychiatrist is out until Monday.

Thanks!

[Guest guest]

He has the ideal classroom. There is a trampoline, rocking chair, couch, bean bag mats, pressure vests, and some other things I can't think of right now. Everything in his classroom is geared towards children with Autism. His is a special needs class. One other student has AS, one has Autism, Traumatic Brain Injury (my sons best friend), and things like that. The teachers, aides, and principal are very hands on with the students.

( ) Problems at school

My son has become aggressive towards his best friend at school and I don't know what to do. He is in a self contained classroom with seven other kids. For the past few weeks my son has been hurting his friend on purpose. He has punched him in the back a few times, today he punched him in the eye, and there have been times he just hits the other boy. Each time has been unprovoked.My son has no idea why he does this. The only thing I can think of is the fact that they like the same girl. My son is back to weekly home based counseling, weekly appts with his psychiatrist, and he is on 1ml risperdal twice daily. I am going to try and talk to his teacher before school tomorrow. I wouldn't have the patience to homeschool him and I want him to have the socialization he likes so well. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I do not want this boy to become afraid to go to school because of my son. His counselor didn't answer when I

called and his psychiatrist is out until Monday.

Thanks!

Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now.

[Guest guest]

A "functional Behavior Assessment" You can google that and read more about it. There is a great explanation about FBA's here as well --> http://www.wrightslaw.com/info/discipl.fab.starin.htm

RoxannaAutism Happens

( ) Problems at school

My son has become aggressive towards his best friend at school and I don't know what to do. He is in a self contained classroom with seven other kids. For the past few weeks my son has been hurting his friend on purpose. He has punched him in the back a few times, today he punched him in the eye, and there have been times he just hits the other boy. Each time has been unprovoked.My son has no idea why he does this. The only thing I can think of is the fact that they like the same girl. My son is back to weekly home based counseling, weekly appts with his psychiatrist, and he is on 1ml risperdal twice daily. I am going to try and talk to his teacher before school tomorrow. I wouldn't have the patience to homeschool him and I want him to have the socialization he likes so well. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I do not want this boy to become afraid to go to school because of my son. His counselor didn't answer when I called and his psychiatrist is out until Monday.

Thanks!