"Thank you all, truly. It’s been a real privilege to share the locker room with all of you. You’re incredible… we’ll win again, I’m sure of it. This is Real Madrid.
Just one piece of advice: today is my last match, and honestly, don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy this and to realize how fortunate you are, because every match wearing this shirt is unique. Time flies by, and being here is the best thing that can happen to you."
I’m not a parent, but I’ve been involved on and off as a caregiver for my relative.
He’s an 8-year-old boy diagnosed with ASD (Level 2), ADHD, and ID.
Over time, we’ve tried a range of different approaches together with his parents and his habilitation team, including diet adjustments, structured routines, visual supports, and other behavioral strategies. These have worked well up to now. In many areas, his development is actually very strong. He reads and writes well, and he is doing well at school.
The main challenge recently has been a noticeable increase in aggressive and sometimes violent behavior. The strategies that previously helped are no longer having the same effect.
His parents have been prescribed clonidine by his pediatrician and are likely to start it next month, with a twice-daily dosing plan. He has not been on any medication up to this point, as we focused on behavioral strategies and structured supports before considering medication.
I wanted to ask other parents or caregivers of autistic children who have experience with clonidine, especially in cases involving aggression, emotional dysregulation, or severe outbursts, what your experience has been like.
Did you notice any changes in behavior, emotional regulation, sleep, or overall functioning? How long did it typically take to see an effect, and were any significant side effects?
Any shared experiences would really help as we navigate this next step.