Original Comment:
| Anonymous | 6 YO Autistic | May 12th, 2008 | Rating: 8.5000 |
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| My six-year-old son with severe autism had been regressing and showing a great deal of aggression towards others over the past few months. He also had a great deal of anxiety and numerous meltdowns as well as increased and unusual fears. His speech had also decreased somewhat. He recently underwent a functional behavior assessment at school as the behaviors (hitting, kicking, throwing furniture, meltdowns) are also present while in class and especially on the school bus (jumping screaming etc). His doctor suggested Abilify (aripiprazole). He's been taking it for about two weeks. The aggression is completely gone. The anxiety has lessened to a great degree and speech is back to normal (normal for him anyway). He takes clonidine for sleep, so I can't say if this has affected his sleep patterns -- they were always terrible anyway. His appetite is about the same as always. The only thing which has not improved is that he refuses to use the restroom without me coming in with him. At school he doesn't use the restroom until he is told to do so. This sort of behavior actually began about a month before the abilify was started. He is still very hyperactive, but not in a really bad way. He has always moved around a lot. He loves to run and jump. I confess that I'd be worried if he suddenly became very still and inactive. It would be too much of a change in his personality. He has never taken any other meds besides clonidine before. I was terribly afraid to start this med, but now I'm glad we decided to do it. He is too -- I'm sure. He seems to be a much happier kid now. | |||
Replies:
| Alvaan Dunton | Abilify & Asbergers | August 19th, 2007 |
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| What do you think might be appropriate dosage for a 40 lb 7 year old who sounds similar to your son - am just trying to keep an eye on our doctor's recommendations. | ||
| Jayne | Abilify | September 9th, 2007 |
| It is good to hear another parent trying Abilify for a child with Autism. My son has also been on clonodine for anxiety and help in sleep but he has developed a vocal tic disorder that is very disruptive for him, and our entire family actually..as it is so loud like a screech and so frequent. Although he has been on the Abilify less than a week, the vocal tic has quieted some already...and he does seem calmer overall. He is on the 5mg for now and may move up to 10 after an initial time period. He was on Risperadal for six months last year, and although that did seem to calm the vocal tic somewhat, it did return eventually with a vengeance and his appetite was huge and he consistantly gained weight. I do not believe the Abilify triggers the weight gain like the Risperdal. I am hopeful we are on the right track for him and I wonder if others have tried this medication for the vocal tic disorders. | ||
| Kelly Youngs | No Subject | September 13th, 2007 |
| I also have a severe autistic son who is 9 years old and very active he is currently taking seroquel and has gained a lot of weight and has been for about 8 months now. we just switched from concerta to Ritalin la today so too soon to tell if that helps dr talked to me about trying abilify instead of seroquel so one med at a time we will see next month we also have a lot of aggression problems and noncompliant now that school is out and i'm home with him we can try something new. | ||
| Anonymous | 5yr old on abilify | January 13th, 2008 |
| my son was placed in a childrens hospital for 2weeks. he was out of control before i made the decision to send him to the hospital. my son was very hyper, had uncontrolable moodswings, when he started to cry it was like he wanted to stop but couldnt. getting to my point, the doctor sent him home with a perscription of abilify 5mg. what a differnce! i am so thankful for this medication. i finially can enjoy the time i have with my son, and am happy that my child can now function well with socity. | ||