YES actually... my 17 year old daughter was diagnosed with ADHD, OCD, and NLD in grade 4. School has been one disaster after the next. Her maladaptive behaviours were getting worse, so we got into an Autism research study to have her diagnosed and wouldn't you know, at the age of 16 she was diagnosed with Aspergers. Nothing really changed with the diagnosis in terms of meds, but the school system finally became slightly more accomodating. Her psychiatrist has always prescribed based on how she presented, not on a "diagnosis". So her meds have gone through a number of sea changes over the years as she herself grew and changed. She has always had some kind of stimulant for the ADHD: ritalin, strattera, concerta, adderall. She has also always had a combination of meds for anxiety and depression: wellbutrin, effexor, ciprelex. ANd she also is now taking a antipsychotic med called Seroquel. The doctor, we fondly call him "The Chemist", plays around with the doses until he hits the right note. This generally lasts a few years, then we need to revamp. The transitions are HELL. and wait till you get to hormones and adolescence!. He explains the prescription cocktails this way: three chemicals guide the brain functions affected by these conditions: seratonin, dopamine, and norapenephrine. These chemicals aid or hinder the neural impulses in the brain - either preventing them from flooding, or allowing greater communication by making receptors able to take up the chemical messenger more efficiently. It IS scary to have her on so much medication, and many other doctors have questioned the amounts, BUT, when she is off them, she is unable to function. The meds, when properly dosed, and combined, make an amazing difference, and allows our family to function. No, they don't get rid of the issues or change her into a different person, but they allow her to control her mood swings, focus enough to go to school, and keep the anxiety levels low enough that she can leave the house. Our philosophy has always been to try whatever seemed to offer hope, and if the results were positive, we kept it. What we didn't know then( same age as your son) was that this would be an ongoing process of adjustment. and make sure the doctor knows his brain chemistry and how to tweak dosages so the drugs have the optimal effect.

One note about Aspergers - you may find that the ODD is in fact a symptom of his maladaptive behaviour: it is so difficult for aspies to cope, and their default reaction is usually a mix of rage, withdrawal, hysteria, and a complete inability to process any information at all. THus they are defiant and everything comes to a full stop. It's like they become flooded, and when they start to drown in the emotional storm, they become stuck on one switch - the negative response one. Being agreeable and considering another's opinions or ideas is something they can't do as they cannot step out of their own skin and see the world as others do.

Good luck! Clarice

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