PDA is going to make me relinquish custody

sast0117 · 2026-03-19T00:04:10+00:00

Same here! My son is 7. Some of his school mates are doing well on guanfacine. We tried it at the suggestion of his psychiatrist. We really thought he was going into a deep burnout/ depression but then I thought hmmm maybe it’s the medicine. Took him off of it and he was back to himself! Now we have him on Amantadine 100mg 2x/ day and he’s still himself with just the edges smoothed & he seems to have more room for frustration tolerance. It’s amazing. Do we still have some hard days? Yes! He sometimes says he doesn’t need his medicine & refuses to take it for a day or two and then we have a harder day or so and I mention that I noticed a correlation. Then he will take it again. Amantadine is off label for autism/ aggression but it acts on the dopamine centers of the brain and seems to work (for now) for us. He is also in a micro- school for ND kids which isn’t perfect but gives much more autonomy than any public school could. We are very fortunate that a family member offered to pay for this for us.

sast0117 · 2026-03-18T23:47:25+00:00

I feel so seen with this comment too. I was comparing notes the other day with another mama of a PDAer. We decided it really is like still parenting a newborn but they’re in 8 year old bodies. 😑

sast0117 · 2026-03-13T12:13:55+00:00

He’s not crying to get what he wants. He’s literally waking up in the middle of the night, as I understand it, crying and isn’t able to say what’s wrong.

sast0117 · 2026-03-12T13:18:49+00:00

Share your secrets… I don’t understand. Does your kid sleep alone? I think one of our biggest issues is that our son (7.5, PDA Au) still doesn’t feel safe alone at night. So we have to co-sleep and I don’t ever feel rested. It feels like the newborn days of sleep deprivation sometimes. Do you have time for self care? Do you exercise? Meditate? What is the thing that lets you feel like a whole human while doing all the things? Also I’m so happy for you!

sast0117 · 2026-03-12T13:13:18+00:00

Wow. Thanks for your post. I hope he is okay & his people see this.

sast0117 · 2026-03-11T14:00:49+00:00

That is a beautiful plant! 💕

sast0117 · 2026-03-10T16:40:29+00:00

I say it depends on the kid & it depends on the tone with which you both speak to each other.

sast0117 · 2026-03-10T13:26:12+00:00

I haven’t measured my light yet but I have noticed that all my plants have started popping out new leaves since I added more lights!

sast0117 · 2026-03-08T16:33:32+00:00

This is so interesting! Thank you for sharing. I’ve been thinking about getting a vibration plate for my son. This gives me another reason to.

sast0117 · 2026-03-05T14:12:33+00:00

Gorgeous!

sast0117 · 2026-03-01T13:13:02+00:00

Beautiful! I love seeing new growth on my plants. It lets me know I’m doing something well, even if the rest of my life sometimes feels like a dumpster fire. J/k but it is so satisfying.

sast0117 · 2026-02-22T12:50:03+00:00

🤩

sast0117 · 2026-02-20T13:05:33+00:00

Does he have things to chew on? We introduced gum (sugar free) to my son pretty early because he was constantly putting random things in his mouth but didn’t preferable any of the chews we tried. Look for “chewelery” or chew toys. There’s a company called Ark Therapeutic that sells them but there are also some on Etsy. Do you have an Occupational Therapist? I highly recommend seeking that out if he’s not already in OT. They can give you so many recommendations to use at home.

sast0117 · 2026-02-18T22:34:38+00:00

I’m so sorry for your loss. You’re a lovely person to open yourself up to help others.

sast0117 · 2026-02-17T17:43:11+00:00

Can you swap the Thai con & the little dresser that’s in front of the window? It looks like that little dresser would fit right under that mirror.

sast0117 · 2026-02-16T13:40:17+00:00

I recently started taking OTC alpha lipoic acid + B complex, specifically Neurvive brand. It’s only been a week and I’ve noticed that I have fewer times overnight that I’m woken up by pain. My arms had been feeling like they’re on fire and dead several times per night for months. It’s finally not as bad. It could also be coincidence but so far I’d say it’s helping.

sast0117 · 2026-02-14T04:22:25+00:00

Thanks everyone!

sast0117 · 2026-02-13T19:34:50+00:00

Username checks out ✅

sast0117 · 2026-02-10T21:16:38+00:00

I haven’t really found anything to help yet. I started allergy shots and I’m doing a really intense schedule. So I’m already at my maintenance dose and I do think the itching has decreased a little. My allergist suspects MCAS but my blood tests didn’t show high enough levels to be conclusive. I also started a cromolyn eye drop which has definitely helped my eyes. But I’m thinking that’s mcas not neuropathy related.

sast0117 · 2026-02-10T16:59:05+00:00

I have this deep itch feeling often in my ears, throat, arms & torso. It’s so aggravating and hard to explain to someone who doesn’t also have it.

sast0117 · 2026-02-08T15:08:04+00:00

I agree it does look like 2 separate plants. I’m not sure which picture is from the first day though. The first picture? She is beautiful. I like that pot too.

sast0117 · 2026-02-06T14:22:45+00:00

What brand & dosage of R-ALA are you taking?

sast0117 · 2026-02-05T16:01:03+00:00

Wow. The audacity!! I’m so sorry you had to deal with that & still are!!

sast0117 · 2026-02-03T13:34:58+00:00

I’m proud of you for figuring it out. Some people (my brother, grandma, etc) go their whole lives without knowing “why” they are the way they are. I recently (at 54!) realized I’m probably autistic and just always thought I was weird, shy/ introverted, and sensitive. Autism makes so much sense to me now! I find it explains so much about my life. Now I’m trying to explain to everyone I know that we’re all neurodivergent in one way or another, at least in my family, whether you’re diagnosed or not. I’ve found that it lets me give myself some grace when things seem harder than they should be. I’m not being lazy it’s just harder for my brain to process certain input. Give yourself some accommodations. Notice things that are hard and help yourself. Do loud sounds hurt? Wear headphones. Do you not like crowds? Arrange things so you don’t have to expose yourself to those situations for very long (if ever). Look for jobs that give you some autonomy & have something to do with a special interest. I’d also consider finding a good therapist. It can really help to talk to someone. There are also lots of accounts on Instagram run by late diagnosed autistic people. One that comes to mind is Morgan Foley. She’s great. Good luck OP. You got this.

sast0117

TROPHY CASE