My 13 yr old boy has autism and is very angry and swears all the time. meds dont work. mum, vic, australia?

Question

specialist keeps telling me meds ok but i am having second thoughts

Answer 1

I'd try a different specialist. He could be angry because people around him (including himself) don't have a better understanding of what  is happening to him. My daughter (13) was just recently diagnosed with autism, I used to feel helpless because I didn't understand what was going on with her. Finally, someone (child psychologist) mentioned "autism".  What a relief, finally, I could identify the nameless enemy. She is in denial, feels that it is everybody else, and is naturally angry, but we are working the issues. It's been 4 months since I learned what is going on with her, but she is making great progress. The schools are involved, she's on an Indivdual Educational Plan (IEP) and no meds. I want to wait before trying that, as i'm not a big believer in medicating myself or my family for a quick fix. Are the schools working with you? Is your son getting therapy treatment? Good luck, I know it's a hard battle, but just remember, the goal is to help him deal with his disability and to help him cope so that he can learn to accept himself.

Answer 2

hi

i really empathise with you situation. I dont have an autistic child but i grew up with my twin brother whom is severely autistic and i know how hard it is. Which medications is he on?

Usually the drugs of  choice are respiridone, largactil and zyprexia. Sometimes melleril, which i would not recommend. Autism is such a difficult  syndrome to manage with meds, and often it takes many different trials with drug to get the most effective one. My bro is now 27 and when he was entering adolescence this was the toughest time for him and us. Puberty is hard and frustrating enough without being autistic aswell.

Every one is different, the only advice i can give is to make sure your specialist is knowledgable and an expert in autism as well as up to date with the latest in autistic treatments. I have found the best drug is zyprexia (olanzapinje) as it is a newer anti-psychotic and has less side effects, which often causes the autistic child or person to be more angry, irritable etc.

Anyway hope this helps and i wish you and your son well.

Answer 3

My brother is 18 and is autistic, has tourets and IBS syndrome.

When he was around that age, he was very violent himself, and used to smash up his room alot and be very rough with me. He used to pin me to the floor and dig his nails into me with all of his strength. Sometimes he even tried to strangle me.

We couldnt take him to soft play areas and parks, as he would be very rough with other children, like pull their hair very hard.

From about 15, he calm down a whole lot. He alsways asks for hugs, even off complete strangers,dances in shops (how embarrassing!) and sings nursery rhymes to himself.

I would think it has something to do with hormones and puberty. It probably has a larger effect on him because he is autistic, and alot of his senses are confusing to him.

It may seem awful right now, but im sure things will start to look up for you.

Good luck to you and your son :)

Answer 4

Do you have a swing set?  Over the years I have worked with many children with autism in the school system.  The schools that have a "rainbow room" with an indoor swing work wonderful to help calm the student.  The swinging motion really helps to calm children with autism.  I would try to teach him when he is angry to swing to calm himself down.  I know that is easier said than done but over time you could create an outlet that is safe for him.