There are other meds that you can try without the side effects of Risperdal but you are going to have to try them. Certain meds work on certain people better than others so you may have to try a few before you find one that works. Sometimes you also need to try a mixture of them because just one may not do it.

If you are dealing with a non verbal child you are most likely dealing with a frustration issue because the child cannot communicate. In this case you will need to work on sign language and PECS to help our with the communication.

On top of this it sounds like you are also going to need some intense ABA therapy. Unfortunately there is no quick and easy fix for this. Last resort if you are not able to handle the child because of aggression and strength you may need an intense program of some kind or possibly residential treatment.

I know a lot of people are against it but the younger you start the better the outcome. I can tell you from experience it is the best choice we could have made for our child. My daughter has had massive improvements in communication, eating, sleeping and behavior that we could not have had happen at home.