Grandkidlet

We have known my g-son is ADHD and high functioning autistic for several years. He is almost 13. He is on Focalin.

He is becoming more disruptive and hostile at school. Today, his mother called me and said he had an argument with some kids today (not sure over what.). He said some alarming things!

I guess they are going to change his dose of medicine, maybe.

It's been a long year...

Anyone have experience with ADHD autistic kids going through puberty? Does it change them into hostile human beings?

oh yikes! im sorry its such a difficult time for you all.
Ive actually havent heard of
Focalin before. if its a stimulant or anything that can cause a serotonin increase, that can cause anger issues. some on the spectrum can be really sensitive to medication. Ive actually be there before.. they had me on a mess of meds, all leading to my "never get angry" to "cant stop introducing hand to wall". when that was happening, another person told me her son had recently been changed onto a med for adhd and it made him have anger issues and he was acting out against people.
so it can be med. also during puberty and such, is a time when things can get really tough for all those involved.
puberty in non autisic people is a rough time, but having autism and all that extra chemicals and such releasing in the brain and body can really wreck havoc on the individuals and those close to them. (most of this is from my personal experience).

when i was a kid, they tried me on adderall, and i only remember pieces of it(crying the instant it hit my system and couldnt stop.. not just crying but i would be wailing. it made things that i was trying to tune out so that i could act more normal, intensify- which caused a bunch of meltdowns. then they tried ritalin. same problems.. and when i was 8yr i fought with people who tried to take what i was working on away (the med had caused me to get so attentive that i was too attentive). but after them trying a med here and there from 4yrs old and up, those same meds now (after puberty and all) work well. and even enable me to speak more with others in person(compared to when i couldnt barely verbally get anything out...) and it goes right back into that when im not on the right dose of the med that helps me.
(so meds can do some really weird/odd reactions in people, but also can do good reactions in people.) i hope things get better for you and your family soon!
and hopefully a good level on the meds can be found soon too!

is he on a routine, or schedule each day? growing up, things would of been a lot better if my parents knew that i needed that. uncertainty and changes and unannounced suprises would cause me to have meltdowns. screaming, crying.. in complete anguish.
i wake up at 7am everyday. then i play one game on my 3ds and then another. and then do get ready for day stuff.. in a certain order, and same time every day. but im wondering if perhaps a teacher may of sprung something on him or didnt give him enough time to adjust as he needed. or if the peers instigated it. does he have a place that he can goto before something like this happens again? sometimes not having a direct way out of the situation can intensify the problem. i remember a teacher i had would say to me when she saw that i might be getting a bit too overwhelmed (before that breaking moment) and would ask if i need to have a break, or if i wanted to go to ____ to calm down a bit, before returning. (___ was my previously arranged quiet secluded spot). not sure if thats something that has been tried yet or if it is able to be tried.?

Thank you for responding.
Yes, some of this has been tried. I just now saw your post...it's getting late for me..would you care if I answered it when my mind is working a little better? I do appreciate your input.

It's been one emergency with him after another lately and I feel overwhelmed.

Talk to you soon.
Pre

no rush
please try to have some "me time", so you dont become "burned out".
a lot of families seek out respite care, when things get to be too much. its only short term but can be a great help.

rest well!