Autism / Autism Spectrum Support Group

Hi Cheryl:

I had my son Sean on clonidine because of his terrible sleeping problems. It did help his with the sleeping for about 6 months or so. I did notice that when Sean was on the clonidine, he became very agressive. He started acting out a lot. More than ever, he started hitting and was completely uncontrolable. I asked the doctor if there was a connection she told me that she did not think so, so we continued it. I know now that she was wrong. We stopped the clonidine about 7 months in and when we stopped so did all of Seans agression. It was one of the real low points of our lives as a family. I remember taking my two boys to a birthday party and Sean hit me no more than 100 times. I left my yonger son Brett with my girlfriend and went home in tears with Sean. He is off of the clonidine and we still have problems with sleeping, but at least he is sweet and back to being my son again. I hope that you don't run into this problem. Keep me posted and good luck. Denise

Hi Cheryl,
My son was on Clonidone for sleep as well.
and he has been on risperdol. Neither gave the side effects on him as the above letter. But people react differently to meds. He is on Geodon. It works good for him .
The difference between the risperdol and Geodon was the appitite. If i recall right we just used the clonodine for the side effect ""sleepy" so Steven would fall asleep at night.