Catatonia in Autism

hi swoo,

woud definitely recommend the college idea,it might be the change he needs as frustrating and hurtful as changes can be to us;am at a special college to as they allow post twenty five students,doing animal therapy and management,woud recommend the specific college but think it woud break the rules.

as for the respiridone,it might be worth changing to an alternative anti pyschotic rather than just upping it as not all of us react enough to it,if he hasnt already it might be worth asking about the possibility of having some anti pyschotic available as a PRN [as and when required] as well as part of his daily medication,this is how its like with mine and allows support staff to give it whenever am stressed/frustrated,it works quickly as well.

was originaly on respiridone as well but the effects werent strong enough even on a higher dose,was switched to haliperidol which is a more potent anti pyschotic and it is quite sedating so really helps against severe challenging behavior but am able to keep a quality of life whilst using it.

one thing about the catatonic behaviors, he might be severely depressed, as when am severely depressed it appears as catatonic behavior and much worse severe challenging behavior than normal,it took years to get it recognised by self and specialists because they just blamed the ID and autism.

has he got any sensory equipment?

woud recommend having a look into shops like rompa,who sell weighted and compression vests,have always found these help,theyre not cheap but mine has lasted for years so theyre worth the money for what they do.

the OT might be able to fund weighted blankets for him,but it depends on the borough, mine funded both a weighted blanket and a lap blanket for when in the community as am a wheelchair user due to severe challenging behavior.

hi swoo,

woud definitely recommend the college idea,it might be the change he needs as frustrating and hurtful as changes can be to us;am at a special college to as they allow post twenty five students,doing animal therapy and management,woud recommend the specific college but think it woud break the rules.

as for the respiridone,it might be worth changing to an alternative anti pyschotic rather than just upping it as not all of us react enough to it,if he hasnt already it might be worth asking about the possibility of having some anti pyschotic available as a PRN [as and when required] as well as part of his daily medication,this is how its like with mine and allows support staff to give it whenever am stressed/frustrated,it works quickly as well.

was originaly on respiridone as well but the effects werent strong enough even on a higher dose,was switched to haliperidol which is a more potent anti pyschotic and it is quite sedating so really helps against severe challenging behavior but am able to keep a quality of life whilst using it.

one thing about the catatonic behaviors, he might be severely depressed, as when am severely depressed it appears as catatonic behavior and much worse severe challenging behavior than normal,it took years to get it recognised by self and specialists because they just blamed the ID and autism.

has he got any sensory equipment?

woud recommend having a look into shops like rompa,who sell weighted and compression vests,have always found these help,theyre not cheap but mine has lasted for years so theyre worth the money for what they do.

the OT might be able to fund weighted blankets for him,but it depends on the borough, mine funded both a weighted blanket and a lap blanket for when in the community as am a wheelchair user due to severe challenging behavior.