ODD and Mood Stabilizers for children

Michelle - posted on 02/19/2009

Well, in this book I am reading, the basic charicteristics in both ADHD and Autism are similar. When children are young and diagnosed with ADHD, sometimes, it is actually Autism and misdiagnosed. The doctors and teachers are taught to screen children for ADHD but not Autism. If they would have screened for Autism, my nephew would have been diagnosed alot sooner. My nephew was misdiagnosed with ADHD for many years, now within the last month, and my help, my sister actually got him diagnosed with Autism (not Aspergers, which is a low line of Autism). SOme kids may actually have Asperger's and not know it or may not qualify completely because the standards for ADHD are so high.

My daughter was also diagnosed with ADHD, then 5 or 6 years later diagnosed with ADHD/ODD and mood disorder. When in all actuallity, it very well could be Aspergers for her. They are going to retest her again in a few weeks.



If you work with Autistic children, then maybe you could help many more families. Pick up the book at your library and see if you agree. Some don't.

I am glad that you are helping the Autistic community, my sister could use some more help.



SPD is sensory processing disorder. Most children who have ADHD have this and I believe that most if not all children with Autism have it as well. It is where their sensory is overloaded and react differently to sounds, touch, feeling, etc. more so than we do.

At least that's what I have read in so many books.

Shannon - posted on 02/19/2009

What is SPD????? And how is ADHD and Autism connected??? I work with Autistc children and maybe I am blind. I just dont see it. Or understand

Jessica - posted on 02/19/2009

I suspect my daughter has SPD as well, Cynthia.  I think all these go hand-in-hand.

Shannon - posted on 02/18/2009

Hi Jessica,

My 7 1/2 year ikd son has ADHD along with ODD. I know from expierence that both combined are not fun.

He was taking Betaxolol for awhile and that seemed to help. But the pharmacy doesnt carry it anymore. So now the doctor put him on Risperdal. That seems to work a little better.

I hope this helped

Michelle - posted on 02/14/2009

I am in the middle of reading a great book about the connection between ADHD/ODD/CD and other disorders connecting with Autism. You are on the right pth I think.



The book is called:

The ADHD Autism Connection: A Step Toward More Accurate Diagnosis and Effective Treatment

By: Diane M Kennedy



I am about halfway throught it and they all seem to mesh together at some point. I see it being a valuable resource for the ADHD Community and to learn more about what we can do as moms. FYI: The book was written by a mother going through the same things we all are!



I hope you check it out at your local library and hope it's helpful!

Cynthia - posted on 02/14/2009

My son who is 5 has been on Vyvanse for almost a year and it really helps but until late last summer there seemed to be a "missing link" and we talked to the Dr. again and she put him on prozac along with him Vyvanse it seems to take care of his mood swings and the vyvanse definitely takes care of the ODD. I have read a lot about Asperger's Autism and ODD/ADHD, does anyone out there have any info. or am I looking in the wrong direction? Another thing that we were sent to was therapy because he has Sensory Processing Disorder, any thoughts on that??? Thanks

Michelle - posted on 02/14/2009

I have started a group for mom's with tenns and children with ODD/CD.

I have a daughter with ADHD/ODD/Depression and possibly more. She was 7 when she was diagnosed. She is now 14. We have been seeing a pshyciatrist as well. Nothing seemed to work. We tried Concerta, Risperdahl, and something else. Nothing seemed to work. So the doc is scheduling another test to re-diagnose her. She is not on any meds and seems okay. but I also think she may have bipolar or something like that.

Come join our group and meet other moms like you. I hope you woild find it helpful.

http://apps.facebook.com/circleofmoms/gr...

Jessica - posted on 02/11/2009

Nikki is currently on Daytrana 20mg (patch).  We just saw a new psychiatrist this evening who put her on Tenex for the oppositional behavior and trouble sleeping.  I know nothing about this drug besides it is actually a blood pressure medication but also used to treat symptoms like hers.  I haven't picked it up from the pharmacy yet, so I'm getting ready to do some research online.  Wish us luck!

Melissa - posted on 02/11/2009

YES! My now 7 1/2 year old daughter was diagnosed in PreK (age 5) with ADHD. We were being treated by her pediatrician for ADHD and NEVER could find the right medicine. Last August she recommended that we go and see a phychiatrist. I was needless to say very nervous about seeing a new doctor for this. We too were experiencing lots of difiance at home and school. Disiplining didn't do anything for it. I was also tossing around the possiblity that she might be ODD as well. Over the Christmas break our psychiatrist recommened that we come off of all stimulants. He said that even though most stimulants are you are either on them or not they still build up minute amounts in your system. That minute amount can mask other issues (ie mood disorders). Coming off the medication was a little difficult but the BEST thing that ever happened to our family. I had some how forgotten how loving and kind and affectionate my daughter is. I guess part of me thought it was that she was growing out of it. She more happy now. But we were still having defiancy in school and home as well as mood swings. I can not tell you how surprised I was when he decided to start treating her for bipolar disorder. We started in January 1/2 of a Resperdal .25 mg (1/4 of a mg). After 2 weeks we went up to 1/2 in the morning and 1/2 in the evening so over the course of the whole day she gets only 1-.25mg pill. She continues to be loving, happy, well adjusted, affectionate. She was no longer having mood swings and is no longer showing signs of defiance. But she was still having trouble staying focused and on task, so this week we have finally added back her ADHD medication (Conserta). She is doing great!!! I can't tell you how long it has been since I have seen her like this, confident (she use to bite her nails and crack her knuckles out of anxiety...not any more). The only draw back to the Resperdal was that she started eating a lot and gaining weight. But for her she was under weight she really needed it. I am interested to see what adding the Conserta will do eating wise.

Also another though what kind of medication if any are you treating your daughter with? Her doctor wouldn't put her back on Adderall because it affects/aggrevates their moods. Good luck. Let me know if you have any questions.