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Question
Hi there, I have two autistic teenage sons. One is 15, and the other 13. My pediatrician has recently offered to prescribe my youngest son ritilin. She thinks it may help him concentrate and focus more. Harry is very fidgety and does find it difficult to focus but I am very concerned about giving my son drugs. Have you any information about ritilin that you could possibly pass on to me?
Hello Philippa,
I think it is worth a try. As medications go, ritilin and Adderall (another ADHD medication) are fairly benign. They have been accused of slowing growth, but your son is already 13 and not likely to have this problem.
Do ask for a long acting form of the medication. It is as bit more expensive, but it prevents so many ups and downs in effectiveness.
Our daughter has taken some kind of ADHD medication since she was 15. She is now 22 and about to graduate from college. Without it, she would not have been able to do as well.
Think of it this way. If your son were diabetic, you would give him insulin to replace what his body is not making for itself. ADHD medications help balance or replace brain chemicals your son cannot make on his own.
You can always stop or change the medication if there are problems or it is ineffective.
Best wishes,
Catherine
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Answers by Expert:
Catherine Ridenour
Expertise
I can answer your questions about parenting your High Functioning Autisic or Asperger`s Syndrome child. In particular, questions about family life, discipline, siblings, finding resources, and working with (sometimes opposing) the educational system are welcome.
Experience
I am the parent of an Asperger's Syndrome child who is now 22 years old. She went undiagnosed for 14 years of her life, so I have done extensive reading and Internet research into the possible cause of her difficulties. Even a short 8 years ago, A.S. was practically unheard of by the public educational system.
We fumbled our way through her childhood and early adolescence without any effective outside support. In some ways, that may have been a blessing as we were focused on her abilities rather than a label for her disability. However, I can think of many times when knowing WHY would have been comforting.
Had we known very early on, some social skills interventions might have made her life in school easier. At this point, I like her for who she is so I do not regret how things have turned out. More importantly, she likes herself.
Education/Credentials
I have a Bachelor of Science in Education.
I have worked to educate myself about Autism in general and HFA/AS in particular.
NOTE:
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