Medication Insights from Families: What works for their Neurodiverse Children (AS, ADHD) (Episode 308)

Medication for Neurodiverse Children

I am not a Dr or Specialist, but as a teacher/educator, it is important we understand different medications.

In this Podcast on Medicating and Neurodiversity:

✅ Keep a medication diary – Document changes in behavior, sleep patterns, and focus to track medication effectiveness over time using voice memos or quick texts.

✅ Create a team approach – Include teachers, parents, pediatricians, psychologists, dance teachers, and music therapists in observations to get a complete picture of the child’s needs.

✅ Monitor physical changes – Watch for weight gain, blood pressure changes, sensory processing increases, or appetite suppression as potential side effects.

✅ Trial different medications – Don’t stop at the first medication; parents in the podcast tried 3-4 different options before finding the right fit.

✅ Use the “medical condition” comparison – When facing resistance, compare ADHD/autism medication to treating asthma or leukemia to reduce stigma.

✅ Start observations early – Teachers can document behaviors and patterns to help parents make informed decisions about diagnosis and treatment.

✅ Adjust dosages based on growth – Monitor teenagers especially, as growth spurts and hormonal changes may require medication adjustments.

✅ Teach medication responsibility – Help older children learn to remember their medication and understand how it makes them feel.

✅ Consider non-stimulant options – Explore alternatives like Strattera, Intuniv, or Concerta if stimulants cause anxiety or other unwanted effects.

✅ Time medication appropriately – Give morning medications at breakfast, not bedtime, and consider slow-release options for all-day coverage.

Medication! This is always such a hard topic for EVERYONE. So I asked my Facebook community to share their actual experiences of medication; asking what medication, what worked and it long it took to work. I know this is a HARD topic but would love people to share and support others. As a teacher I have seen both the positives and negatives for kids and how it tricky it is to find the right medication for each child.

shared experiences FROM MY WONDERFUL FACEBOOK COMMUNITY about Medicating and Neurodiversity

My son was also diagnosed with adhd and asbergers. We did a trial of dexamphetamine. Wow what a change! He was able to concentrate and went up 10 reading levels in two terms and socially was able to relate to others. It 'tunes' his thinking and he is able to concentrate. The only real problem we have is he won't eat during the day. So we watch his weight and do things like put an extra piece of cheese I his toasted sandwich so he puts weight on.

It is a hard decision to medicate a child. but if their behaviour is hindering their ability to learn and form relationships, if your child is being avoided by others, or disliked by children and adults. I think it is vital to see if medication can improve your childs situation. My son has aspergers complicated with severe ADHD. He was going from a bright child to falling way behind his classmates, he is disliked and picked on and avoided by others. Parents tell their kids to stay away from him. We chose to try medication at 8yrs. Having the ADHD under some control allows him to participate in class making his life and that of those around him much better. He is able to learn. It also had the added bonus of highlighting his

My son 10 has ASD and ADHD was on Ritalin but had the same problem as some his moods were up and down and was very teary we moved him to concerta over 12 months ago with fantastic results, we have dropped his dose and unless we are going out anywhere he doesn't have any on the weekends and holidays, this helps with his appetite and we can manage his weight which he is under weight. It takes time to work it all out but it is worth the trouble

my 10 year old girl soon to be 11 is on concerta and lovan. We tried all natural therapy as well. my daughter was running away as her anxiety was so bad. we even moved schools. it got so bad they wanted to put her into hospital which was crazy. now we are on the right medication she has come so far that now she is getting certificates. We are so proud of our little angel she has grown into a amazing girl who we love very much. it was one of the hardest journey watching her doing harmful things to her body. now we are at the other end and our journey is getting so much easier.

My son is on Concerta, Catapres and Risperdone, if it wasn't for them he wouldn't be able to cope. He did try Ritalin when younger but it turned him into a zombie and his moods were worse. With what he's using now, he copes better at school and there have been no major meltdowns for a year 1

my daughter is 8 and has moderate ASD, ADHD, SPD and extreme anxiety. She was put on Ritalin after her ADHD diagnosis in May last year. It worked beautifully for 8 weeks. She losted 5 kilos (she was orginally 24 kilos) we are still trying to gain her weight back up. She is now on Strattera for her anxiety and it is working * wonderfully. She can function throughout her day and concentrate on tasks. She has recently been put on Risperidone to help with her self-harm. She was biting herself, stratching, pulling her hair and trying to gauge her eyes. No one wants to put their lttle one on meds, not at this age, but we realised she wasn't happy. On the meds, she is happy and can function. SHe is closely monitored by her GP and paed and has blood tests for the Risperidone. -

My mum said it best. If your child needs meds, then they need it. You wouldn't tell a diabetic no to take their insulin, so why should meds for the brain be any different?

My son was also put on risperadol for aggressive behaviour at school. We have trial many medications to help my son manage at school and this was one of the worst. My son also had an insatiable appetite whilst on this med and it do nothing to aid his behaviours. He put on an unhealthy amount of weight in a short time. A lot of these kids who develop aggressive behaviour it is because of extreme anxiety. We found treating the anxiety (with fluoxetine) and change to a school who were much more supportive to my son and family have helped enormously. He is no longer in a constant heightened state.

further information on the parents who kindly share their experiences in this podcast

Naomi Bryce from Wagga Wagga NSW. Mother of Campbell 15 yrs and Gabrielle 13 yrs. Primary Teaching for 21 years, most recently in the areas of K-2. This year taking on a new adventure teaching a newly established Autism class within her school.

Nicki Powell is a parent and educator. She now helps other parent/carers navigate NDIS, Transition and a range of other supports. More info; https://www.nickipowell.com.au/

Chris O’Leary is a fellow parent and over the past 14 years, she has raised her children and step-children (now adolescents) who have a diagnosis of autism and ADHD, supporting them with their social challenges. She first discovered PEERS® when her son asked for help with learning social skills and they completed the PEERS® course, with Chris as his social skills coach. More info; Socialskillsaustralia.com.au

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