Risperidone in Eli Stone
January 31, 2008 by Kristina Chew, PhD
Filed under Health
There’s a new blog in the blogosphere, Hollywood Spectrum, and its first post offers a summary of the original script of a certain TV show set to air tonight, in which lawyer Eli Stone takes on an insurance company which won’t pay for treatments for “William,” who has autism (and who is played by an autistic child). The treatment in question is not some alterna-biomedical magic supplement, but Risperidone: After a month on this antipsychotic (which has been approved to treat “irritability” in autistic children), William’s mother describes the value of the drug this way: “He actually smiled.”
A child taking Risperdal probably also has a few other reactions, including a significant increase in his appetite. I know, as my son has taken Risperidone for some time, to address self-injurious and aggressive behavior.
Hollywood Spectrum has some more to say on this:
Somewhere between first and, let’s face it, lame final draft and premiere, the story shifted to vaccine/mercury caused autism. A story line guaranteed to generate controversy. A story line guaranteed to get publicity.
It’s too bad. Yes, the reliance of the original script on Risperidone might have caused some consternation amongst the autism community. Yes, the stereotype of the kid “whose autism prevents him from smiling” was lame at best, damaging at worst. But, insurance coverage for autism is a big deal right now. A good presentation of how insurance companies deny claims for autism could have actually helped people and families with autism.
Indeed: “Fighting for insurance coverage for behavioral and medical therapies” doesn’t quite have the same air of controversy as “vaccines made my child autistic!”. But TV is TV and real life with an autistic child—it is what it is, and that often can mean the stack of bills looking at me from across my desk.
Even on the hardest days, Charlie has always smiled.
FWIW, Eleanor does not, and never has taken Respiridone, and there were probably more smiles today, and on many days than I can count.
Certainly, if they wanted “ripped from the headlines”, the insurance storyline would be timely and maybe even helpful (except for the implication that medication is necessary to get a smile), given that there are current bills in AZ, HI, MI, OH, PA, VA, WV, and calls to submit legislation this year in AL, CA, FL, and MS (and I might have missed a few since I’m doing this from memory).
So potentially negative, stale, and still…fiction.
I liked the premise of the show but have not had the chance to watch it. That’s what happens when you’re trying to get your kids to bed. I suppose I could tape it, but not sure why I would.
Now to me, the original means way more. We may not all agree on the how, but I am sure that there is not one parent who hasn’t had to fight, beg, borrow and steal just to get basic services. It sounds to me “controversy” is the desired theme for Eli Stone, because it brings ratings.
I’ve spent the past few hours trying to figure out billing rates for therapists—–
Jack smiled for the first time at three weeks old and hasn’t stopeed smiling since. He’s got the sweetest dimple too …
Insurance coverage is so incredibly crucial. It is so outrageous that the AAP recommends treatments that the vast majority of policies just won’t cover. In states where IDEA compliance is minimal (i.e. most of the flyover states…), insurance coverage could make a huge difference to families attempting to access the most basic services.
The difficulty lies with ERISA. Most corporations are self-insured and thus dont’ fall under the requirements of state law. And getting the federal government to mandate coverage for autism … that’s a tall order. Hopefully the momentum that is generated with state mandates will convince corporations to do the right thing.
One basic suggestion I have is to ask everyone to provide a copy of the recommendations of the AAP to their current employer and then politely ask if the recommended treatments are covered.
Just a thought…
Sometimes controversy can get us talking about what needs to be talked about. Maybe the controversy that surrounds this series will put a spotlight on the other side of the some issues–like vaccines. Hopefully, some members of the audience would be smart enough to question the plot. Plus there might be a deeper meaning to the series as a whole. This is something I touched upon on my own post for today (autism and spirituality–maybe they’ll get that angle right). Anyway, why don’t we wait and see before we totally judge this series? P.S. I had a phone call during the part about risperidone and smiling, but yes, I was angry about the episode and the treatment of vaccines too. Then I thought about it a little…
Yes—–thanks for this—–I really think Arthur Allen touched on some of the reasons why the vaccine-autism myth will continue — myths are powerful stuff. I find, to some extent, that autism is rather incidental to the plot and that it’s the attempts to raise questions about (to the tune of George Michael music) spirituality and belief that are more interesting, and that get to the heart (perhaps) of why vaccine-autism hypothesis continues to persist.
I wasn’t going to watch the show…I was worried about being annoyed. But, I took a deep breath, watched and yes was annoyed. Not too much about the subject matter…the whole vaccine theme was pretty much loss and I thought the concept of the show was fine, but it’s entertaiment value minimal. My annoyance was at the acting, or lack of…I was worried (like you Kristina) that I know what it is like to be a mother of autism and that it would be poorly represented. And sadly, I was right. First of all, myth…”stopped smiling” my two boys smile and laugh all the time…stop pertetuating myths! and finally…if you were a mother and your child hadn’t smiled at you in 8 years….I think I would see a tear or two…or way more. The emotion attached to our children never fades with age.
I have actually taken this medicine.
The white coats have a lot to learn how to treat mental issues. They are too often using a sledgehammer as spoon (or whatever). Ir made me still and polite, but I wasn’t fully me. I hate these drugs. I will get a dog so I won’t have to treat my kids with old fashon drugs (believe me they will be in years to come).
Sorry folks!
@John, thanks for writing this here—I’m never quite sure of the effects on my son, but so far it seems to help. So far!