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Residential Treatment For Aggression
A MyAutismTeam Member asked a question 💭

Hello
Have there been any parents that had to place their autistic child/adult in residential treatment due to aggression? My son is 18 years old and his aggression has increased as well aa hia OCD. He hits his family, classmates and teacher. He destroys his clothing, bedsheets, blankets and towels. There's more destructive OCD behavior but the aggression is the worst. Hes been on Risperdal 1mg for alnost 2 weeks. I want ro increase it but the psychiatrist told me to wait another week or more.… read more

posted October 1, 2019
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A MyAutismTeam Member

My son was very aggressive at 14. Puberty was absolutely he'll. I was running back and forth to different hosptal emergency rooms they would keep him a couple of hours and then send him home. I called CPS and the social worker helped me get him in a 6 day inpatient program. Its been 4 years now and my son has not been back he's on 1 miligram of Risperdon so far we never needed to increase it. I hope you find something that works so you can keep your son at home .All the best to you.

posted October 1, 2019
A MyAutismTeam Member

Addendum:

Sorry if that doesn’t seem particularly hopeful, but our experience with inpatient and group homes were not something that I would recommend to others. Mental health services and autism support rarely work in conjunction with each other so you have to work to set up a special accommodation for an individual diagnised with both.

It is also imperative that you seek mental health and support services for yourself and ither family members as well. I can tell you firsthand that what are your experiencing on a daily basis goes far beyond the initial shock and grief that you may have experienced after the initial diagnosis years and years ago. Dealing with behaviors such as aggression and self injury can cause you to succumb to depression and PTSD so it’s very important that you find a therapist for cognitive behavioral therapy of your own. It has helped me immensely these last few years. I’d also recommend getting your other children involved with positive activities of their own. As difficult as it is being a parent of an individual with extreme special needs, you are an adult. I can only imagine how it must feel for the sibling of such a person, but I can see the strain in my own child’s younger sibling.

posted October 1, 2019
A MyAutismTeam Member

Im extending this comment from previous post about risperdol. Just to elaborate, I do not think it was meds alone that helped so much, nor has his aggression completely stopped. Its a hard and difficult road as our kids age. But for me personally, my research has nothing positive about placement. Basically prison with abuse. I dont know how the hell I have done it or will do it, I just know I will. Maybe its the wrong med for him, but even with meds, if its beyond just anxiety triggers, then that needs attention. In a home my son would be abused, strapped to a bed, over drugged etc...Im not in denial of that so I just never stop trying. Just getting my son in a better school and his dad out of the house so not arguing made a HUGE change. My son cant communicate and that alone would drive anyone to snap in my opinion. I know him like the back of my hand and he is never with anyone besides me or my husband or trusted teacher. If son is with people that are not kind, understanding and compassionate that will create aggression as well. Our kids dont want to be aggressive and sure as hell there are no professionals that love my son like me. So if I have been pushed to my edge of tolerance...how the hell would they respond....with extreme abuse. I will continue to to do everything I can until my last breath because i am the only guarantee of his safety and I would never gamble with it. Some moments are scary as hell, but they pass and the laughter later is why I continue. Seeing him safely in his own bed and the comfort of a loving home is worth the meltdowns for me. It wouldnt be me to say anything other then "hold on, you got this. He needs you. It will get better if you keep trying new things. Dont give up. Keep him safe".💙

posted October 1, 2019
A MyAutismTeam Member

I’m sorry to hear you’re going through this. My eldest is 15 and at age 12 we placed him in inpatient then on to a group home for the very same issues. Here’s my opinion:

1: 1mg of Risperdal is a very small dose. The fact that your psychiatrist Is resistant to increase it in his counseling you against residential placement is opposite to what any other psychiatrist in my experience would have said to me. That’s not necessarily a bad thing; atypical antipsychotics in my experience either work or don’t. If the doctor will not increase the Risperdal, then have him consider prescribing a different type of medication.

2: I agree a group home is not a good fit. They are essentially nursing homes with Resident to staff ratios of 4 residents for every staff member or more. What he needs is a private residence that is staffed with two professional caregivers
around the clock and a mobile therapist during the daytime to advise with caregiving staff and work with your son several hours a day.

Turnover will be an issue; caretaking is a frustrating and low paying career so people often quit with a little notice; be prepared to make yourself available several hours a day. You will essentially be the team leader responsible for training and keeping up morale.

3: at age 18 he is technically an adult despite the fact that he can go to school until he’s 21. Clearly he cannot be around children - but have you considered that maybe someone he’s coming in regular contact with is reinforcing the behavior or a walking anxiety from your son? Regardless, as an adult with an intellectual disability he should qualify for disability. You need to apply for guardiandship and SSI for him. It won’t be much, but residential agencies also receive assistance from the states so they will prorate his rent accordingly. He will also receive Medicare which will help fund his therapeutic and medical needs

posted October 1, 2019
A MyAutismTeam Member

Sorry for delayed response. But first you'll need a Homeopath Doctor. Or a Biomed Doctor. Traditional Doctors are not skilled in this and honestly don't know what to look for or what tests to do.
I live in Ohio and can give 2 excellent referrals to you. But even if you don't live in Ohio that doesn't mean these 2 Doctors won't give you an appointment.
But labs meaning bloodwork needs to be done and these "specialty" Docs will know what to look for the give the diagnosis. Treatment can then begin, and healing as well!

posted October 10, 2019

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