Melatonin | Autism PDD

Hi all, still looking for a diagnosis

My DS was put on melatonin (by the same paed. who told me "he smiles so he isn't autistic, you just don't spend enough time with him"

Is there anything I can do? I've asked family for help but the in laws live 12 hrs away and my family all say they can't handle his behaviour. I'd love to get a dx just so I could get some respite hours heavensdj, try looking under "Other Treatments" I think there is a lot of information on the use of Melatonin.

Hi Heaven. Do you have a DX through your school district?

Loki, thanks will do.

YepperBepper, I am Australian we don't have the same school dx type program as America. It's all thru referrals and getting someone to believe me. He would be high-functioning or even Aspergers but so far I haven't managed to find anyone willing to look at it seriously.

I would up his dose. My son's doc said they often need to increase their dose for periods of time when they are experiencing a lot of trouble. Luckily I have not had to up his dose yet but it is something I will def do if needed. talk with your doctor - but I would consider switching docs, that smiling comment would make me question her qualifications

I just want to add that my life before Melatonin is all a blur LOL not really but I honestly did not get any sleep. My DS got up all night long, whined, had nightmares, would NOT go to bed, would NOT get up in the morning for school, it was crazy. I LOVE Melatonin. LOVE LOVE LOVE it. I wish I would have had it sooner, because he is SO much happier with it. He actually says "Need my pill" every night and he says he doesn't have nightmares when on it - and this is a kid who is NEVER exposed to anything scary or even prime time TV. Melatonin worked for us. Something to also remember that if your body is exposed to light around during bedtime, it will make less melatonin. Making the bedroom as dark as possible is helpful for Melatonin production, natrually.

We had the same trouble with melatonin. We finally took him to a developmental ped and he told us to use benadryl. The melatonin works to help you fall asleep not stay asleep. The only problem with the benadryl is we will have to wean him off it eventually.

Hope you find something that works for you,

Laurie

We couldn't make it without melatonin. Cammi doesn't need very much sleep anyway and would stay up almost all night once every couple of weeks if we didn't give it to her. I just found out about it when she started kindergarten. I was sooo sleep deprived for five years and trying to teach during part of it.

During the school year, I give it to her every night. She needs just a teeny, tiny dose to make her sleepy. I buy the 3 mg. pills, break them into fourths, and then mash the fourth into powder, put it into her gatorade and she doesn't even know it's in there.

My other two daughters take it also on Sunday nights because they have trouble getting to sleep after staying up late on Friday and Saturday nights.

Take care!