What are the best medications for a 13 year old with Asperger's?
116629
I would think it best to consult a doctor for your son's sake...but I'm not sure there is medication fro Asperger's...there may be therapy available to help him cope.  I have a friend with Asperger's and he does fine, married, good job, good dad...good life...and he is an amazing musician...a little quirky perhaps but we love him more for it.\n\nHere is something from a web page source:\n\nhttp://www.aspergers.com/asptrt.htm\n\nThere is no specific treatment or "cure" for Asperger's Disorder. All the interventions outlined below are mainly symptomatic and/or rehabilitational.\n\nPsychosocial Interventions \n\nIndividual psychotherapy to help the individual to process the feelings aroused by being socially handicapped \nParent education and training \nBehavioral modification \nSocial skills training \nEducational interventions \nPsychopharmacological Interventions \n\nFor hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity: Psychostimulants (methyphenidate, dextroamphetamine, metamphetamine), clonidine, Tricyclic Antidepressants (desipramine, nortriptyline), Strattera (atomoxetine) \nFor irritability and aggression: Mood Stabilizers (valproate, carbamazepine, lithium), Beta Blockers (nadolol, propranolol), clonidine, naltrexone, Neuroleptics (risperidone, olanzapine, quetiapine, ziprasidone, haloperidol) \nFor preoccupations, rituals and compulsions: SSRIs (fluvoxamine, fluoxetine, paroxetine), Tricyclic Antidepressants (clomipramine) \nFor anxiety: SSRIs (sertraline, fluoxetine), Tricyclic Antidepressants (imipramine, clomipramine, nortriptyline)
65208
Yes, particularly in teenagers. This is common knowledge now, and reinforces that the user of those medications should have a support network of friends and relatives that can help monitor behavior on these meds.
130390
I feel your pain, and share your view in general on medications. I have a daughter, now 8 years old who has ADHD. They told me when she was six that she needed to be medicated and I absolutely refused to consider it. I thought that medication was being used way too often and I was not about to put her on it. Well, things continued to get worse for her, me our family as we tried to control her behaviors without meds. She started losing her friends, doing poorly in school, and her brothers started to resent her for the behaviors she would act out and ruin our family outings. I finally agreed about 6 months ago  to try her on the lowest dose possible to try to make things a little better. Now, I regret not doing it sooner. She is by no means perfectly behaved or on task, but she is now able to do her school work with minimum redirecting, sustain friendships, and has control over her behaviors. This medication has not altered her pesonality or put her in to a dazed state like I thought it would. It really has just helped her to be able to live a more normal life. She still has her times when she doesn't want to listen, do homework and pouts or cries, but it is now within reasonable limits. I agree that medication should not just be handed out like candy, but sometimes the child really does need it. With proper monitoring and dosage your son should be fine. The only side effect my daughter has had is a little weight loss, but even that tapered off after the first 2 months. She is a much happier child now, and it is a much more peaceful house. I wish you luck with your son, and in making this decision, as I know it is a hard one to make. I fought it for 1 1/2 years. Good Luck.
810064
Check with the pharmacist.   There are medications that come in "sprinkles" that you could add to his/her favorite food.\n\nIf the child is always congested, have you considered food allergies?
1074699
Asperger's Syndrome is a condition similar to autism. It is a neurological difference, so there is no cure. \n\nMore about the characteristics of Asperger's Syndrome can be found here: "The Discovery of "Aspie" Criteria by Dr. Tony Attwood and Carol Gray - http://www.thegraycenter.org/sectionsdetails.cfm?id=38\n\nI would suggest joining a positive online community for persons with Asperger's Syndrome, such as http://www.aspergianpride.com/\n\nI would also highly recommend the following books: \n\n"Your Life is Not a Label: A Guide to Living Fully with Autism and Asperger's Syndrome" by Jerry Newport\n\n"Asperger's and Self-Esteem: Insight and Hope through Famous Role Models" By Norm Ledgin and Dr. Temple Grandin \n\n"Not Even Wrong: Adventures in Autism" By Paul Collins\n\nGood luck and I hope this helps! \n\n"From my clinical experience, I consider that children and adults with Asperger's Syndrome have a different, not defective, way of thinking." - Tony Attwood
888241
blistex really works!! get the medicated type, its white. You can find for about a dollar @ target!
1040300
You need to talk to your mom and tell her that the problems are back and you want some real help. I know it's tough, but you won't get medical treatment at your age without parental consent. Tell her and get yourself some good help. Yes, it does sound like Bipolar disorder but you should be checked for Aspergers Syndrome as well. Good luck to you.
448865
there is not one good anti-depressant vs. another but the one that works for you the best is the best one. because everyones chemistry is different so you might say prozac is really working great for me but, bob might say prozac made me sick but he think zoloft is better for him and you say no that stuff made me sleep. so there's your answer for the anti-depressent. Now, i can tell you the newest anti-dep out is called cymbalta and it supposibly has no side effects and starts working within a week. now, the anxiety could easily be stoped once the anti-depressant starts working but if it's severe and you need something now depending on your age they will prescribe a xanax or ativan but not for long because there controlling substances now if your in your teens they will probably perscribe buspar which only takes a week to work and is not addicting. GOOD LUCK!
630867
Asperger's is a very confusing experience, not just in adolescence.  It is a mild form of Autism, so everything is confusing and strange.  Can't be put into words.
740872
my son was promoted to the second grade barely knowing his alphabet and numbers. i also decided not to medicated during second grade. towards the end of the school year it would break my heart to hear my son say that he was stupid because he didn't know what his classmates did. i finally put him on ritalin. OMG!! what a change. he went from getting 20's and 30's (even with 501 modifications) to getting 70's and 80's. he has been taking the meds ever since. he is now a sophomore in hs taking regular classes and thinking of going to college. i highly recommend medicating IF the need is there. you need to take your child to a child psychologist who specializes in add/adhd. they cannot prescribe meds but can recommend. best of luck and tell your daughter to hang in there.
803372
A child with aspergers is not disabled except socially.  He can take care of himself and can do well in school.  It is unlikely they will give you SSI for that.\n\nHowever, the school should give him special education to deal with his aspergers.  That is what he really needs.
923287
Medical professionals frequently use medications for things other than what they were originally approved for. It is not uncommon to use risperdal (risperidone) to help manage the symptoms of autism because it has a powerful tranquilizing effect useful in agitation and severe behaviors, such as those that might hurt them. A good behavioral consultant might be more helpful and much safer than drugging this person though and medicaid pays for this kind of care.
793242
DAVID HERE ARE SOME, CONCERTA, STRATTERA, METADATE AND FOCALIN. MY SON TAKES ADDERALL EX B/C HE IS ADHD.
607714
yes... But PLEASE PLEASE be careful when giving him Ritalin... or other ADHD meds...  There are non-drugs you can get from the health food store to help calm them so they can do better at home, school, or where ever.\n\nThere was a boy, age 7 when he started taking Ritalin.  When he was 14, he collapsed and died of heart failure, determined to be caused by taking the Ritalin for too long!!   PLEASE BE CAREFUL!!  There are alternatives to prescription drugs for this!!!
587598
As autism is not technically a "disease," there is no medicine or cure specifically for autism. \n\nAs for your question about home programs, each person with autism is very different and has different needs, so I cannot recommend a specific program. I would suggest, however, that if the person with autism you are asking about is still in school, to be sure to contact his or her teacher(s) and make sure that what he or she is learning at school is being worked on and reinforced at home, to promote generalization of learning. \n\nHere are some recommendations for more information: \n\n"Teaching Tips for Children and Adults with Autism" by Temple Grandin, Ph.D. - http://www.autism.org/temple/tips.html\n\nWebsite of Paula Kluth, Ph.D. - http://www.paulakluth.com/autism.html\n\n"Ten Things Every Child with Autism Wishes You Knew" by Ellen Notbohm - http://www.southflorida.com/sfparenting/sfe-sfp-autism,0,6196233.story\n\nAutism Society of America - http://www.autism-society.org/ \n\n\n"Work to view my autism as a different ability rather than a disability. Look past what you may see as limitations and see the gifts autism has given me. I may not be good at eye contact or conversation, but have you noticed I don't lie, cheat at games, tattle on my classmates, or pass judgment on other people? ... With your support and guidance, the possibilities are broader than you might think. I promise you I'm worth it." - Quotes from 'Ten Things Every Child with Autism Wishes You Knew'
417567
http://www.udel.edu/bkirby/asperger/
653696
DON'T WAIT UNTIL HE STARTS SCHOOL!\n\nEarly intervention is key in cases of Autism Spectrum Disorders and Nonverbal Learning Disorder, and delayed speech.\n\nPlease ask her to take the following steps immediately:\n\nFind a pediatrician that specializes in children with developmental disabilities.\n\nContact the school system for a complete evaluation (this is free, and could have been before the child trained 3!).\n\nThe school system will choose a team of professionals to evaluate the child, including, but not limited to a speech therapist, an occupational therapist, a physical therapist, a school adjustment counselor, a school psychologist, a teacher and an expert in special education.  His parents  will be part of the team, and they may bring any experts they so choose to the team meetings.\n\nThe child's new pediatrician will submit a recommendation for the services the child needs.  The child may require an independent evaluation by additional specialists (pediatric neurologist, etc. to develop a treatment plan.\n\nMake sure that the team adopts the recommendations of his pediatrician and specialists in their entirety; appeal the team's decision, if necessary.\n\nThe team will develop an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) that specifies the services to be provided and the frequency of the provision, as well as the modifications that will be made to "regular" education to accommodate him.\n\nHis parents have the right to accept or reject the IEP, in whole or in part, and appeal same, in whole or in part.  If they choose to appeal and another, independent evaluation is required, the school must pay for the evaluation.\n\nThe school system is required BY LAW to provide early intervention services beginning at age 3, so he will probably begin in a special program, immediately.\n\nThis is a very complex subject not easily dealt with in this forum, however the above is a start.  DON'T WAIT!