eln/babblecon: (what a name!)
Helloo! I will tell you what I've done and how it works for us.
FIRST, ROB/I NEEDED medicine -- for safety and sanity all around. I too didn't like giving them but I'm convinced we wouldn't be here alive without them...so I'm very thankful and they DO have a place.
SECOND, I made sure I read everything I could on everything. I'll save you a few years here and suggest joining the Feingold Association which is very inexpensive and could very easily be a BIG KEY to unlocking the mystery of your child. This takes time to implement and "try", but hey -- we all could eat better and this really isn't that difficult.
THIRD, after getting all the crud out of our immediate systems (takes 4 - 6 weeks) IF you want to try to reduce medications now would be the time. My son was on zyprexa along with his clonidine and the reactions were so BAD that I weaned him off even as I was starting the feingold program. He has lost 10 lbs and his attitude is BETTER than it was on the medication...plus he doesn't have the "tic" anymore (given to him by the medication.) I will admit that I still take advantage of clonidine but trust me, with difficult child's -- esp. mine! and to ME -- sleep is important.
FOURTH, along with, or after this, there's a whole HOST of alternative methods to try. I try to keep my "trials" a bit separate so I know what's working and effecting HOW..but let's face it, the GOAL is PEACE AND PROGRESS all around. I'm sure like me, it's a WHATEVER IT TAKES attitude. My trials include and will include, as I've not the finances to do ALL RIGHT AWAY:
Music Therapy (Mozart Theory, etc.)
Chiropractic
Kinesiology
Vitamin Therapy (b/g algae, etc, etc.)
BIOfeedback
Acupuncture
These along with the "normal" western treatments of Psychiatrist (for medications) and therapist of whatever sort, for you and/or difficult child. Rob is in play therapy with 5 goals specified to work in the coming ?? months.
That's taken me the last 4+ years and we're not THERE yet, but I tell you, it's 1000 times better than before!!! I guess one thing we share with difficult child is our unwillingness to give up!!! (and perhaps, too, a little of the frustration and hopelessness...every now and then) 
Hope this helps.
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Mom to 6 y/o difficult child Robby (!)
ADHD,Hypo-Manic,Psychotic,"he's fine -- it's the mother"
Currently weaning off medications (used to be zyprexa and clonidine) thanx Feingold!
Widowed 5 yrs ago; now have most wonderful SO
With GOD All Things Are Possible.....
