Strattera is an anti-depressant.... so they probably wouldn't mix it with Celexa.

Takes a long time to find a right combination of medication and therapies.

Do research (like you have been).... and don't only look at the drug companies websites.... look on forums by where other parents post on their experiences.

If the doctor gave you a list of drugs and told you to research them... that personally would make me nervous. Doctors usually have their go-to's that they start with depending on the symptoms/behaviors.

Anyways..... You are doing a fabulous job! Don't let me frustrate you. Anything, you are doing to help your son is great! Keep up the good work!

Parents that have aspies ... do you find your child doesn't have the ability to pick up after themselves? Unless, they are wanting something?

My son got aspie dx this past year about a year after his twin sister's were born. I never quite understood that I was providing him with such a structured environment.... I just knew he was 'difficult'.

He was dx with adhd at age 6.

My son is currently on Vyvanse and Strattera. I think that Strattera has made a difference.... and less objects are flying around the house and if he has a melt-down it's usually for less than an hour. Where in the past, his meltdowns could last 2-4 hours.

I am glad that you came here for support. There are also some really good groups on Facebook.

I think one that I am on... is called Asperger Awareness. They share a lot of great information and support.

vetiver is an essential oil (from 'Young Living Essential Oils').

Its not a drug. He just swipes a roll on of it on the back of his neck.

He will run back and forth across the room, punching his thighs without it. At the onset of anger (that he has no idea where it comes from) I ask him if he thinks he needs some vetiver. He usually decides 'yes'. The first 3 times, I made him try it. From then on I told him it was his choice. He says it works so he uses it.

As for sleep, the aspie population is well seasoned in sleeplessness. Different things work for different kids.

J took melatonin, and only for a few months. His brain seems to release enough now on its own. The morning after his first dose of it, he was afraid to use it again because he thought he was already addicted. He said he feels so good he'll want it all the time. I told him "Thats called 'rested'" It was the first time he ever remembers sleeping through the night. 12 yrs old.

Yes. It's also with Robin Wright. Hope you get the chance to watch it. Cheers!

Awee were not supposed to notice things like that! Or things like how clean, healthy & prettily dressed Judith always is...while everyone else looks like complete yuckos!

Yes, Celexa is for depression (and your son is older - so I would worry about this one)....

Triliptal.... I would be hesitant.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a601245.html#why


Always research the medications that doctor's want your children to take.... some of them have non-reversible side effects such as heart damage or involuntary tremors/movements.

You don't have to accept what a psychiatrist is prescribing... you need to ask why they are prescribing for YOUR child (not depression, anxiety etc), what symptoms/behaviors are they trying to reduce and what are the side effects.

By all means, I am not anti-medication.

But, I work in the mental health field..... and I think often parents of DD/ASD just accept what a doctor writes!

I had a doctor want to put my son on an anti-psychotic. I basically told her to *(^%$ and went back to my peditrican and worked with him.

Adding a simple SSRI (the Strattera) made all the difference!

Now, granted this may change once he hit puberty.

I guess the point of my long winded story is to ask questions..... and keep asking.... and keep pushing for your child to get the help/interventions/treatment that he deserves.

Those are some heavy duty psychiatric medications! Have they tried him on any non-psych or non-psychotic medications?

Ive been so lucky. I found a group of mommies of kids with aspergers and autism, and we share things that have worked for our children. We also share things that work for ourselves, particularly the isolation while we tend to our children.

We use vetiver for the outbursts. If its bad, you could give it a try. Everyone responds differently to everything, so its all with a grain of salt.

J will be going to college next year, majoring in engineering and computer science. We were at the open house last weekend, and it seems that there will be a few other aspies around. Not so rare, in that setting, as Im sure you will understand.

;) Both my favs! Currently watching House of Cards.

Haven't seen either but they're on my list of Must See's, both look really good.

Yep, that was Grace.

Wasn't a fan of the second VHS other than the cult segment.

that was two weeks ago... your a little behind, lol...

Apiphany,

I definitely know what you mean about having to shut down socially. Back when I had my autistic step-son, I rarely left home because nobody would/could babysit the boy, and it was a nightmare to take him anywhere.

Does your son need a strict routine in order to remain calm?

We're still around..... say whatever you need to say!

I haven't seen Open Grave, so thank you for that :)

Since you're not going anywhere

(These are some from 2000's to now that I like)

Absentia
House Of The Devil
The Innkeepers
Deadgirl
Pontypool
The Horde
Rammbock: Berlin Undead
Dead Birds
The Woods
The Pact (2012)
The Shrine
House Hunting
Lake Mungo
The Children (2008)
Doghouse
Home Movies
V/H/S
Megan Is Missing
100 Bloody Acres
Tucker & Dale VS Evil
Session 9
The Cottage (2008)
Frankenstein's Army
May
Grace
The Loved Ones
Wake Wood

The last more recent one I watched and enjoyed was Alyce Kills. A good creepy one is Lovely Molly.

Just so you know, those weren't recommendations haha Both are really bad zombie movies, especially Zombie Lake, though you might get a few chuckles out of them :)

If you're looking for some good recent zombie flicks- The Battery, The Dead, Exit Humanity.

theres a link if you scroll back.
Theyre not as good as the show.