Barbara Fischkin on the Columbia University Autism Conference

Read Barbara Fischkin's full blog post at her Spectrum Publications Blog.

Taking our son Dan off the anti-psychotic Haldol, or Haloperidol, has been harder for him than we ever imagined. It's a long autism-related story and when the process is complete, or perhaps sooner, I expect to write about it in great detail.
For now, here's the short version: My husband and I put Dan on this invasive drug many years ago for some very good reasons. Basically, it enabled us to keep him home until he became an adult. It stopped him from being a danger to himself and to others - and at the time it was the only thing that worked. A relatively low dose of Haldol treated a potentially lethal combination of autism, adolescence and puberty. Now, at almost 22, Dan is courageously facing some very difficult withdrawal hurdles.

If there is a bright side to this, it is that Dan's aggressive behaviors have not returned off the Haldol. I suspect the bio-medical interventions he is on have something major to do with this, as does his age. My fingers are crossed...

 

Comments

[Kathy Blanco]

What a hard decision to make. Recently, I attended our daughters graduation from high school. My oldest son is also autistic and is 29 years old. He saw an old friend there, or let's just say, a student. He remembered my sweet son. My son is the autism kind of kid, that wouldn't hurt a fly. However, this child had it in for my son, at least for a long time. Apparently, he has psychotic episodes, and that day, was one of them. He started to say ZOMBIE, over and over right before the ceramony, and then without anybody realizing it, picked up a plastic fork from the cake table and proceeded to march towards my son, unkonwingly wanting to pitch fork him in the face. I didn't even knew what was happenign until it happened he was right in front of my son, and poked him within an inch of his eye. HE then screamed out the hall laughing, and pulled the fire extinguisher, nearly rrightening my visiting Grandson who was only a year old, and my children, and all the children in that room. What a fiasco. So, I can understand the desperation. But here is the deal. Such children, I feel, DO NOT belong in public school, and must be put in safe situations that won't harm teachers, aids and students. I also know, that such chidlren probably also have lyme tick borne diseases, which can cause such psychosis, so I URGE YOU, to look at www.liafoundation.org and contact TAMI DUNCAN, and talk wth her about this message. I was VP of this organization for a time, and I can tell you that many of those kids with an autism diagnosis, also had dual diagnosees of varying psychiatric illnesses, which I fully put blame on this infection. Please purchase the DVD's of the last conference or the previous, and see why I say this.

I hope this helps.

[nhokkanen]

Barbara, you have my prayers and best wishes as Dan goes off Haldol. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the Columbia autism conference. Oh, the cognitive dissonance when a speaker blithely dismisses one's life experiences. And writes off vaccine-injured children as simply the cost of doing business.

Years ago I struggled with clinical depression, which receded drastically after I had my mercury tooth fillings replaced. I no longer need anti-depressants, but at one point I thought I'd found the perfect pill. It made my thoughts clear and my attitude positive -- and my heart beat 100+ times a minute. Nothing is ever simple or absolute, is it?

[Babara Fischkin]

Thanks every one. Comments above from three great women. Latest word from Camp Loyaltown is that Dan is not getting any worse, sleeping a somewhat better and eating much better. In between swims and fun he is helping one of his counselors re-build a squash court. Painting, weeding and I think some cement work too.
Stay tuned for more. Very little research on Haldol withdrawal but in the Fall we will try traditional, bio-med and Asian medicine. And deep massage seemed to help as well!

[chantal Sicile-Kira]

Barabara,

My thoughts are often with you and your family - Best of luck with it all. Great article.

Chantal

[Maurine Meleck]

Hey barbara,
You know i am always pulling for Dan and your whole wonderful family. I hope someday we can spend lots of time together talking about the "kids," our families and of course, writing. In the meantime, I'm holding up a glass of wine and cheering you on.
Maurine

[Teresa Conrick]

Hi Barbara,

We met at Autism One and I continue to be so impressed with all that you do and have done for your son.

I hope the Haldol leaves his body with minimal side effects and you continue to see him make gains as he gets healthy.

Best,

Teresa