Thursday, January 27, 2011

Aggravated with Asperger's & ADHD

So, Seth was diagnosed with ADHD 2 years ago and Asperger's Syndrome 1 year ago, and is exhibiting signs of Tourette's Syndrome. WHAT A ROLLERCOASTER!!! Rob and I tried a few different medications/dosages for him and he was miserable. His pre-existing muscle and vocal tics were worsened by the meds and it was just more than we could bear to watch....so we took him off all meds. We opted for a more natural approach to his treatment. Seth started going to a chiropractor for accupuncture and spinal adjustments 2x a week, that was a year and half ago. At first we saw a dramatic change. He was able to focus better than he had in a long time. What a peaceful place for us! Each week he got better and better....but now we are at a plateau. In fact, I think he may have regressed. One look at him and you can see that he is absent from what is going on right in front of him. The look in his eye is foggy and distracted. My heart breaks. I am considering medication again. Those very words hurt. I never thought I would go back to medication for him....but here I am, online and researching. I was introduced to Clonidine (which is used for many things) and is said to help with the tics that he experiences. When the Clonidine is taken with an ADHD med, it's supposed to suppress the extreme ticking that the med worsenes. My heart hurts. I just want him to be happy. I want him to learn. I want him to have friends. I want him to be confident. Right now he is lacking in many of these areas. My heart hurts and my head is confused.