My son was on guanfacine and now Intuniv (same thing, but time-release) for his tic disorder. Our experience has been positive although it can make him quite sleepy. He was also on risperidone but that didn't touch his behaviors. (Plus, risperidone made him overweight.) I didn't think it took a long time to work but then again, we were using it for a different purpose.

Now he's on an Abilify/Prozac/Intuniv cocktail. For anxiety, we use something called Behavioral Relaxation Techniques (like meditating), but my son is quite verbal so this may be easier for us than for your son.

Don't get discouraged; you'll get to the root of it. Do you have a behaviorist you can consult to help find the function of the behavior? We've had to do a combo of medication and behavior protocol.

A friend recommends arbaclofen, but it's still in trials so may be hard to get. I hope this is helpful, at least somewhat!

Hello All,
It has been sometime since I posted something. Wow, we have been through alot! After a 20 day hospital stay to do a med overhaul we are now back home and trying to slowly go back to some normalcy in our lives. Justis is back in school and we are taking things day by day. We are currently doing a mixture of depakote(anti convulsant), zyprexa(as needed), and a blood pressure med Propanolol that helps with the adrenaline and anxiety. We have a long road ahead of us. It is very difficult to see the severe changes and not know what to do. I recommend using strategies to help with the anxiety and teaching relxation techniques. We are currently beginning to implement those now for Justis. I am fortunate to know Kari Dunn Buron author or 5 Pt Scale book and we came up with a relaxation plan for Justis using 5 point scale, breathing etc. I have a big school meeting tomorrow to enforce that these techniques be used consistently and often for him. There are some positive things happening, which I try to remind myself to be grateful for. I just want it all so badly!!!
A friend recommended I read a book called "Silently Seizing" . I started reading it last night and could not put it down. I am amazed and how mothers just keep fighting and how much Doctors have trouble listening. For anyone who has had a sudden change in their child's behavior and made need some more answers, you must read!!
I will keep you posted on our school meeting. Wish me luck!

:=)

TATE Mom, I see your post was from a long time ago, so I hope you will even see this. My 7 year old has just started with the aggressive meltdowns. I was wondering how far you have some and what has worked since your last post. thanks

Thanks for the input. I get really happy when people find some help because I know how difficult it is to struggle and feel as if there will be no help in sight. It is a common theory I hear from Tourette's and autism syndrome that the Tenex helps alot.
We don't have Tourette's here so I believe that is why we struck out. We are currently on a longer acting anxiety called Clonazepam. It works like Lorazepam but longer and much smoother. We are seeing some positives, but stil struggle with severe OCD and rigidity which creates meltdowns and panic attacks. The psychiatrist is suggesting looking into the tricyclic depressants because the more common SSRI's seem to agitate him worse than before. Slowly but surely. I hate being afraid to take him in public. I have lost much confidence and courage over these past 5 months.

My son has been on guanfacine for almost two months for his tic disorder. It has been a miracle for him. Besides a HUGE reduction in tourette's symptoms, his is so much more focused, and less frustrated! Which has led to him enjoying and experiencing so much more in life. It's crazy! Transitions aren't an issue anymore. He initiates conversations and participates in more back and forth banter.... Most of all, HE says how much better he feels and functions. HE is so happy that more doors are open to him. He's not so tired anymore (from having to function through the complex motor and vocal tics.) It's like he has no ADHD symptoms. It's weird. I don't know what to make of it. I sometimes miss the way he 'used to be' before meds, because I was so used to him acting a certain way. But, his life and our family is so much less stressed and my son is optimistic and happy. I can't explain how different things are for him and our family!

Is this something that is helpful for other ASD families, even if they don't have Tourette's? Because so many of the ASD symptoms have been improved so much! I'm just really freaked out, because it's like a dream come true :)