I didn't read all the replies between mine and yours, but here's the deal on Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD). First of all High-Functioning Autism (HFA) isn't a medical diagnosis yet. Any sort of autism, including Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD)-not otherwise specified or what is called High-Functioning Autism (HFA) requires intensive interventions--social skills, life skills, Occupational Therapist (OT), PT, speech (even if speech is good, conversation usually isn't). IT DOES NOT CAUSE PSYCHOSIS. Autism is NOT a psychiatric condition. I am still betting it's all those medications. Autism does not respond to medications. If there are co-morbid conditions that need medications, that can help or cause problems. It's individual. I'm guessing that you'll find he is better off stimulants and antidepressants both, but it takes a while for the body chemistry to go back to normal, especially after taking SSRIs. The withdrawals are really bad for SSRIs and can last a long time so the child can seem to "need" the SSRIs, as he seems worse without them at first. My son was on twelve medications. He was misdiagnosed with ADHD/ODD and then bipolar. He is Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). He needs no medications. He is better off of medications, and is doing great with his interventions. I have no clue if this would be the case with your son, but you are saying four professionals say he has a form of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), yet he is being treated seemingly just with medications. That doesn't make sense. Also, regular, normal behavioral plans don't work with kids who are on the Spectrum. If he has any form of Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD), I highly recommend an autism specialist, usually a neuropsychologist. ODD behaviors are common in Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), but the children are not trying to be difficult--they are trying to make sense out of a confusing world. My son started out impossible and is now easygoing and calm (no exaggeration on either front). I hope you start to treat his autism. I'm shocked at the medication this kid has been on, but I shouldn't be. Mine was on as many. And he didn't get better. In fact, he got worse. I wish you luck in this journey. It really isn't easy. It's possible he'd do best if you slowly weaned him off the medications and waited a few months to see the child who is really there underneath the medications. You'll know if he really needs them. I would get Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) interventions written into his IEP ASAP. That's clearly one of his big problems, plus he isn't getting Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) treatment, which is only making him worse. I don't know for sure, of course, but I still think all those drugs are causing the psychosis.
