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Ritalin the effects on a young child with Autisim

kez2476

My seven year old Nephew has been diagnosed with Autisim. Ritalin medication has been discussed for my nephew to take. But our family is very worried, concerned about Ritalin. Heard bad reports about this medication. Not happy about this medication for my seven year old nephew. As a family can we ask for an alternate medication. Or do we not have any choice. Please need some helpful advice. very concerned for my nephews well-being

  • Former Member
    Former Member

    P.s. my 10 y/o nephew has an ASD diagnosis and is on a tiny dose of Ritalin - it's been amazing how much it's helped his function and focus. His dose is far lower than would be expected to be effective for his weight, but higher doses worsened insomnia - so he has the tiny dose at 7am every day (no weekend breaks, that made him miserably distracted on weekends during music classes and church)

  • Former Member
    Former Member

    There is a lot of misinformation about Ritalin in the media and on the Internet.

    The main physical risk is weight loss and delayed growth so regular monitoring is important. If weight drops there are useful food supplements.

    On a mental side, dosing needs to be careful. Your family needs to be able to identify his signs and symptoms of anxiety. If it worsens his anxiety it's not right for him. Other minor issues we've found is dry mouth and a bit of constipation managed easily by adding in a small dose of ground linseed at breakfast.

    I'm from a family with two ADHDers and one ASD. Both the adult ADHDers have found the use of ritalin reduces their anxiety, rather than increasing it. Both can focus and manage a more complex range of tasks. If offered we will seriously consider using ritalin for our ASD teen, because she's got lots of features of the inattentive ADHD diagnosis.

    The most important thing is to be observant of the effect of ANY treatment offered be it medication or therapy. It is about risks vs. benefits.

    Medication should not be the only treatment. I've known a few ADHDers who acknowledge that they've had huge benefit from CBT that has altered their non medicated behaviour as well.