Very moody child

[Anonymous]

My son is so moody at aged 7 (always has been) that I am going crazy. Oppositional might be the word, but also really sensitive. Anyone dealt with this, and what did you do? Does counseling help? For him and us? We just can't seem to figure out how to help him or parent him, though we have read many books. He doesn't fit neatly into any category, although anxiety stands out a bit (he chews shirts, hates crowds, thinks people are laughing at him when they are not). Thank you for your insights and advice.

[Anonymous]

I am dealing with the same qualities in a 5 year old so I'm not even as far along as you. We know some of it is sensory-based, but we're still looking for answers especially if they don't involve medication. So consider me chiming in with OP as appreciating any insights and advice.

[Anonymous]

My 4 yr old son also hates crowds, chews on clothes, hates loud noises and gets upset when he thinks people are talking or laughing at him (doesn't get laughing with him). He is oppositional and tends to tantrum/explode. However, he also has specific autistic behaviors that put him on the spectrum. Right now he has a diagnosis of PDD-NOS and the specialists are thinking Asperger's when he gets older. Even though you son doesn't fit neatly into a category, I think he would benefit from social skills therapy. My son is currently in a group (3 kids and an therapist) and play therapy (behavioral). He is making progress in terms of anxiety and learning to interact with groups as he seems to be less anxious when when are in places with lots of people. We are looking in OT for the sensory issues. He has an evaluation coming up to see which areas to address in OT therapy. We are also apply the Second Step social curriculum (which he gets at school) at home (we participated in the parenting workshop/training. This had made a big difference in the oppositional behavior.

I found a description on line:

Second Step teaches skills in empathy, impulse control, problem solving, appropriate social behavior, and anger management. For example, in the unit on empathy, students learn to identify and predict the feelings of others and to provide an appropriate emotional response. In the impulse control unit, students learn problem-solving and communication skills, with a focus on how to handle and solve interpersonal conflict. In the anger management unit, students learn techniques for reducing stress and channeling angry feelings into constructive problem solving. The parent education program focuses on teaching these same skills to parents, as applied to parenting situations.

[Anonymous]

OP, how does he do in school?

[Anonymous]

18:52 – You seems to have some great therapies for your child. Would you mind sharing some provider information.

Where are you doing the social skills group and also the play therapy?
Where did you do the parenting workshop/training for the second step social curriculum?
Finally, what is your school? (it sounds like they have a nice curriculum).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:18:52 – You seems to have some great therapies for your child. Would you mind sharing some provider information.

Where are you doing the social skills group and also the play therapy?
Where did you do the parenting workshop/training for the second step social curriculum?
Finally, what is your school? (it sounds like they have a nice curriculum).

18:52 here:

He attends a social skills group at his school and the parenting workshop/training is also at his school. He is at AppleTree Early Learning Public Charter School. I also heard that Bridges in Columbia Heights DC also provides similar, if not more services of the same type.

I would also recommend for similar services:

Parenting Play Groups in Alexandria, VA
http://www.parentingplaygroups.com/socialskills.htm