Expert: James Michael Roan - 11/10/2009

Question
Hi James

My son is 8 and is High-functioning.  He goes to a school for children with autism; and is a class of 12 (all high functioning kids).  His class work is great (top in math), and his behaviors have improved - with the help of meds. (adderall 15mg).  However, over the past few months, he acts as if he has OCD!.  Sometimes, it is out of control!  We spoke to his nero. doc.; her answers was that it is probably caused by the meds., but we need to give (a second) off-line med. to balance it out.  My husband and I don't like the meds at all.  And we are at a lost to want we need to do to help him.  These OCD like behaviors and the ADHD are his biggest problem area's.  Hope you can give some insight!  Thanks James.

Monique

Answer
Hi Monique;

Please understand that I do not, at any time, attempt to diagnose or rule out a diagnosis or condition over the Internet.

In my experience with Asperger's syndrome (AS), the OCD behavior is usually in response to the high anxiety they experience at school. There are many sources for this anxiety: sensory sensitivity, social anxiety, low right brain functioning, bullies, and a general inability to sort out the social world. Although, drug effects can cause OCD related behavior, there may be other sources contributing to your son's OCD behavior as I have previously referenced. You want to nip the OCD in the bud, if you can. Try to get to the bottom of his anxiety although he may not be able to articulate it well for you. It may be that it is due to his medications alone, however my experience tells me anxiety is at work here.

Kind regards,
James

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Bio

James Roan is a certified school psychologist who has been consulting in the areas of autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, and learning difficulties in the United States and in Ireland for over ten years (http://www.jamesroan.com). James earned his M.Ed. in School Psychology and M. Ed. in Adult Education and receives ongoing post graduate training in autism at the University of Washington’s Autism Center. James Roan has traveled to Galway, Limerick, Mayo, Clare, Dublin, Cork, Waterford, and other cities and counties across Ireland assessing children and adults, and consulting with solicitors (lawyers) in defense of children with disabilities. James Roan was the consulting assessment professional responsible for many of the autism and AD/HD screening tools and other content for Access Special Needs.Com. James Roan consulted with the graduate department of the Waterford Institute of Technology in Waterford Ireland in the development of their graduate program for the certification of private autism tutors. James has conducted formal assessments of students in the Autism Unit in the Claddagh National School in County Galway Ireland.