I've had a really bad experience with psychiatry and drugs in general. I was diagnosed with "Aspergers" HFA at a young age. However I believe I did have Tourette's and not autism. I was at one point prescribed stimulants off label. I'd later be diagnosed with ADHD PI. Although a lot I bleive was stress at home and holding in my tics. School never went well. Along with a messed up sleep clock which they wanted to "reset"with stimulants. They made me spacey and on edge. Despite in the end my education not being complete. I found some solutions on my own that may help. I was diagnosed with Aspergers mainly because of an IQ gap. Poor Spacial reasoning. I ended up finding Irlen. Irlen can cause a lot of problems, or add them. Stuff included Sensory processing, attention, and learning issues. May be worth looking into. Esp since side effects. They help me a great deal. Many of my initial problems are non existent with them.
Much cheaper than a lot of of other support. There are programs that offer more individualized learning from completely self directed to just very supported teaching. There's also groups that offer help with school work for cheap or free. I've been thought a bit of the basics of Applied Scholastic from being in Course room at Scientology. Basically just a string emphasis on looking up words and getting feedback from their basic courses until I get it right. Not sure if a similar approach would help him. I also tic a ton. I really can't focus as well if I'm suppressing. Ironically sometimes I would overfocus to get my mind off if it. I got bad rebound effects from the blood pressure drugs. They handed me the pills while denying I even had Tourette's. I definitely needed to sleep a lot while my body was adjusting to them though and start slowly. Although I'm hoping I can overcome them someday. I hope your son is able to overcome his and get the support he needs.
RE: Medicating Children with Additional Needs