|
|
Post by MommyofTriplets on Nov 5, 2014 22:32:22 GMT
My DD, she's 11, is on the autism spectrum and has ADHD. She is verbal and capable of communicating, but frequently relies on echolalia or repeated conversations for interaction. Things had been very manageable for her at school and at home until this school year started which also coincided with her getting her first period. Her hormones are totally out of whack - she gets two periods a month.
Now that I've given you the background, lately, she's been a total wreck emotionally and behaviorally. Afternoons at school are miserable. She's become very rigid on weekends, not wanting to leave home, argumentative, and seems to have a lot of anxiety. I feel like there are so many moving parts that I don't know where to start to help her. Would having her talk to a therapist help? I feel like it would take a large number of sessions for her to get to a communicative place with a stranger assuming they even have the patience to try.
Should the neuro be our first stop? She uses Daytrana patches for ADHD and her teacher believes that the med change prompted the behavior changes. I guess I'm looking for any experiences of moms who have been down this path through autism and/or ADHD plus puberty before. Thanks!
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
Aug 18, 2025 20:02:26 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 5, 2014 22:46:57 GMT
Sounds like she needs to see a doctor. I would be a bit concerned over 2 periods a month.
Birth control pills can control the mood swings and regulate her cycle.
|
|
|
|
Post by MommyofTriplets on Nov 5, 2014 22:52:53 GMT
Sounds like she needs to see a doctor. I would be a bit concerned over 2 periods a month. Birth control pills can control the mood swings and regulate her cycle. Thanks for your reply - she's going to an OB/GYN tomorrow, thank goodness. |
|
conchita
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,141
Jul 1, 2014 11:25:58 GMT
|
Post by conchita on Nov 5, 2014 22:54:57 GMT
I have two sons on the spectrum in the midst of puberty right now. Sadly I have no advice in the girl department but lots of hugs and compassion for you and your daughter! But I'm willing to listen, talk and hash out ideas. I think weekends should be spent decompressing however calms her and makes her feel secure. It's a brief reprieve from all the stress her body is under as well as all the emotional upheaval she's going through. Has she been taught about puberty and what changes she can expect to see in her behavior and body?
|
|
|
|
Post by SabrinaM on Nov 5, 2014 23:23:18 GMT
My daughter has inattentive ADD. It's not unusual for people with ADD to also have anxiety and depression. In 5th grade NC's Common Core made my otherwise gifted child a MESS. We finally broke down and put her onZoloft/sertraline as recommended by our child psych. She loves how "even" it makes her feel. No more highs and lows and bouts ofemotional meltdown.
|
|
brandy327
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,353 
|
Post by brandy327 on Nov 6, 2014 0:14:55 GMT
I don't have any advice but lots of hugs coming your way. *hugs*
|
|
|
|
Post by leftturnonly on Nov 6, 2014 0:41:15 GMT
{{{Hugs}}}
Make sure you schedule enough down time for her where she knows that for that block of time she has no chores or responsibilities. I found that a very good way to lessen anxiety.
|
|
mlana
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,525
|
Post by mlana on Nov 6, 2014 4:28:12 GMT
I don't have kids on the spectrum or with ADHD, but I did have kids. My best advice for the puberty years is exercise, lots and lots of exercise.
My son would reek of cat pee (what testosterone smells like, we didn't have a cat) after a hard football practice, and he would be so much calmer the next day. DD was involved in kayaking and was doing insane daily practices, but she was so much calmer and less emotional than she was during her off days. She also had periods every 10 days, so she was fighting anemia as well as hormones. Birth control was a life saver for her, and a sanity saver for her family.
Marcy
|
|
|
|
Post by SabrinaM on Nov 6, 2014 5:38:02 GMT
{{{Hugs}}} Make sure you schedule enough down time for her where she knows that for that block of time she has no chores or responsibilities. I found that a very good way to lessen anxiety. YES!! For my daughter, her "alone" time is sacred. I try to make sure she gets the house to herself a couple hours a week. It may seem "odd" but it makes such a huge difference. I know that I value my quiet time, so she comesby it honestly.  |
|
|
|
Post by manda on Nov 6, 2014 7:05:16 GMT
I can't speak to your specific scenario but I can say birth control hormones really affect me emotionally... And not in a good way. I'm super emotional and moody on them.
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
Aug 18, 2025 20:02:26 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 6, 2014 7:11:25 GMT
I took Sertraline/Zoloft for a looooong time. It did NOT agree with my digestive system. (bad). It did, however, make me feel like I could deal with reality, I was no longer anxious, angry, upset, depressed, or anything other negative. I am a huge proponent of Zoloft and if I could still take it I would be on it. It's a great drug.
I did have tons of good luck with oral contraceptives when I was about 19 trying to regulate my cycle. I lost moodiness, breakouts, and most of all periods. I went to the doctor because my period had stopped and he said lucky you and it will save you money now. He liked the person I had become while on the pill and I stayed on it for a number of years. Loved that!
|
|
eastcoastpea
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,252
Jun 27, 2014 13:05:28 GMT
|
Post by eastcoastpea on Nov 6, 2014 8:26:19 GMT
No tips, just hugs and the hope that you find something that helps soon.
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
Aug 18, 2025 20:02:26 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 6, 2014 11:24:16 GMT
I definitely think starting with the neuro and ob/gyn are great ideas. Also, ask the neuro about neurofeedback. We have been doing this with one of our daughters this year, and I sure wish we would have known about it YEARS ago. Truly has made an IMMENSE difference. It is amazing seeing what a beautiful young woman she is. She notices it too, and is SO proud. I have put a link below. Hugs to you!! www.ian-asheville.com/ |
|
|
|
Post by Basket1lady on Nov 6, 2014 11:58:22 GMT
DS doesn't have ADHD, but does have Asperger's. I found the middle school years to be especially hard. Between the hormones and the social immaturity and the minefield of tween interactions, it's not easy for any kid.
Weekends were a time to recharge and we really curtailed our activities to give DS downtime. We would agree not to bug him for chores or homework for big blocks of time. He played a lot of video games then, which helped him veg out and decompress. We also did a lot of hiking and canoeing.
|
|
