[live2ski66]

Has anyone heard of using lithium on a 6yo with Asperger's?
Thanks in advance

I thought that lithium was prescribed only for bilpolar disorder and mania. Maybe someone else here knows about using it to treat autism... I do know that it can be potentially harmful to the kidneys and other organs if not well-monitored by weekly blood tests. Does he also have manic episodes?

[medicalfox]

Lithium is a mood stabilizer used for the treatment of bipolar disorder. Usually small doses of antipsychotics such as risperdal are prescribed to reduce agitation from those with autism.

If he's a boy and the ambulance-chaser-style law firm commercials I have been seeing four times a day for months on end are true, then risperdal could lead to gynecomastia.

Based on a google search it looks like lithium orotate might be used, not lithium carbonate which is the type of lithium that is prescribed for bipolar.

I would certainly seek a second opinion on that.
Never heard of that use.

Originally Posted by JosieTheGirl

I would certainly seek a second opinion on that.
Never heard of that use.

I think the doctor''s suggestion was probably lithium orotate. When people say "lithium" it is assumed to be lithium carbonate, which is the mood stabilizer used in Bipolar. A google search for "lithium orotate autism" will reveal that it is a non-prescription supplement that can be used to control autism tantrum/meltdowns as a substitute for atypical antipsychotics like risperdal.

[Hellion]

Doesn't sound like the most wonderful idea to me so I'd agree with getting a second opinion...in my opinion when it comes to kids and meds...using them as a last resort where needed is the best option. Sometimes there are other things that can help...for instance providing a kid with a quiet area without a lot of chaos, give them time to recharge when over-stressed could reduce things like meltdowns.