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Autism with Aggression

T's picture
Posted April 1st, 2008 by T

I have a six-year-old son with autism.  He was diagnosed at 3 1/2 and has always been very aggressive.  We hadn't wanted to experiment with any medications, but after he started kindergarten, we decided he needed some help with impulse and anger.  He is now in the first grade and doing well acacemincally, however, still problems with aggression.  I need any new ideas I have missed, words of wisdom from parents who's autistic kids are older and doing well/or not and encouragement that my son can grow up to be a good, productive human being.  I haven't met any other kid like my son yet.

‹ preteen/teen entering middleschool new to all of this ›

Hi T! I have met other

WyattsMom's picture
On May 1st, 2008 WyattsMom says:

Hi T! I have met other parents dealing with this problem in that age group. If you like, I can see if I can connect one mom I've met to your forum post. Recently, I watched a Frontline special on psychiatric medications for children. I want to find it again and post a link to it here. I think you will find it VERY interesting if you haven't already seen it. It is kind of long, but worth watching.

A couple of other tips...during a counseling class one mom of a 7 yr old told me that 5HTP changed their lives. It is a plant-based natural substance that helps the brain produce seratonin (a calming thing). I am trying to use it more with my son to reduce his tantrums. Another thing that I give my son is melatonin. I give it to him if he is having a really hyper evening. (I get it in capsule form and put it into his juice boxes--it has no taste). It puts him right to sleep and therefore allows us to go to sleep and get a fresh start dealing with him the next day. There is some controversy over dosage so try to give the least amount that will work.