Melt-down behavior at school....

[Anonymous]

Yes they are behavioral problems but if you have an Adhd diagnosis the IEP would fall under OHI.

ODD and ADHD are often comorbid. But just ask for the IEP eval.

[Anonymous]

I agree with the recommendations for an FBA - which is very different than the run-of-the-mill behavioral/incentive charts they have for all the kids. We're in FCPS and it was done by the special education teacher in coordination with a system behavioralist. They did an excellent job. We knew anxiety was at the root of the outbursts but couldn't identify specific triggers. But, the school team developed a plan that was very effective. They didn't eliminate all the behaviors but they were less intense and less frequent.

During this period, some on the school IEP team pushed for an ED label. We resisted because the behavior was new (DS was in 3rd grade and it started after winter break) and we believed it was more related to a bad fit with a gen ed teacher. He wasn't the kind of teacher that should have had kids with LDs/anxiety. DS hasn't had behavioral issues in school since - at least they're on a 'typical' level.

BTW - I'm sure you're an excellent mom. This isn't your fault.

[Anonymous]

OP, read the Kazdin Method. You need a behavioral plan for HOME not just school.

[Anonymous]

I've read the Kazdin method. I agree it's a good book. Not helping with the school issues (and really only moderately helpful with his home issues, due to the fact that he's not particularly motivated by behavioral incentives).

This is a little off-topic, but does anyone think his increased defiance and angry outbursts could be a side effect of the adderral? (We're on a generic if that makes a difference) And, if so, what med might be better?

[Anonymous]

Who is prescribing the meds? Your question should be something you discuss with his doctor. Yes, his behavior could be due to the Adderal. Every kid reacts differently to medication so it's impossible to suggest another medication.

Many people have their pediatrician prescribe but your child will be much better off being followed by a child psychiatrist for medical management. In fact, the first thing you should be doing when their behavior becomes "off" is to see whether the medication needs to be adjusted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've read the Kazdin method. I agree it's a good book. Not helping with the school issues (and really only moderately helpful with his home issues, due to the fact that he's not particularly motivated by behavioral incentives).

This is a little off-topic, but does anyone think his increased defiance and angry outbursts could be a side effect of the adderral? (We're on a generic if that makes a difference) And, if so, what med might be better?

I think the defiance and angry outbursts could be a side effect of his medication. But, it could also be his age and it could be his ADHD. My ADHD son, who is older and has better control over the emotional aspects of his ADHD, often talks about the anger and how he has to work to control it. I am pretty convinced it is not medication related (reasons are too much to go into). But, even if it is, there isn't much to be done except control it because my son really needs the medication to function.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes they are behavioral problems but if you have an Adhd diagnosis the IEP would fall under OHI.

ODD and ADHD are often comorbid. But just ask for the IEP eval.

What is OHI?

[Anonymous]

Ops, it was on page 1, thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes they are behavioral problems but if you have an Adhd diagnosis the IEP would fall under OHI.

ODD and ADHD are often comorbid. But just ask for the IEP eval.

What is OHI?

Other Health Impaired.

[Anonymous]

Are the outburst close to the time when the adderall is wearing off or shorty after he has taken it? Yes, I think it could be related. I have ADD and have been taking adderall for years. I understand that it makes me short tempered but I am an adult and conyrol my temper.. I can't imagine a child could control it.

[Anonymous]

I could have written your post today. I also received an email from his K teacher For the exact same things. I'm at a loss as to what do. I talk wIth my son about his behavior and he just plays the blame game and blames everyone's else for his behavior. No one wants to play with him because of the way he acts and that's heartbreakIng. I feel like his too much on his teacher's radar and Emails us for everything that he does. I wonder if his reputation will follow him to fiRst grade and he won't get a fair shake next year. I feel your pain and heartbreak.

[Anonymous]

Of course it's a behavioral issue and that's what the OP is asking for help with. Duh.

I agree with asking for an FBA and also a 504 or IEP (IEP would be better). The rest of the class can hypothetically benefit from the behavior plan in place. That's because their neurons are firing more appropriately than those of OP's son.

I agree with asking the group for advice on the Aderall side effects. Drs often don't have enough experience or don't listen carefully to these sorts of less-obvious side effects. I'm sure they know if something causes a huge rash, but less the delicate intricacies such as aggravation as the med wears off, not so much.

It sounds like you do have a behavior plan at home, but it might not be effective enough. I would wait to make changes until something gets put in place at school so you can mirror their plan.

It is nonsense for you to get a daily report about his behavior for the entire day and then it's your role to give the incentive. At his age and with ADHD, the incentives need to be based on short-term positive behavior and then immediate incentive.

Clearly whatever his motivator is hasn't yet been determined. We went through so many potential motivators with my DS. In the end it turned out he really wanted more attention. He prefers something such as telling us about a subject of intense interest (he has Asperger's) than getting extra TV time. He prefers having us watch him play his video game over having extra video game time. It took ABA to help us figure this out. We felt so dumb because we had tried so many other motivators. They would work for a while and then just not work anymore.

This poor kiddo definitely needs more support from school. You're doing a great job!

[Anonymous]

Deep breath, OP. Don't think you're a bad parent just because you have a challenging child and aren't sure what to do.

If behavioral problems were easy to fix, these boards wouldn't be as heavily trafficked as they are. The solution varies from child to child and seems to usually be a long-term process.

Neither being a doctor nor knowing your child, I can't say whether the meds are appropriate. If, however, they were administered to solve this kind of problem, then either they don't seem to be helping or in fact might be the cause of the problem.

It does sounds as though the child needs more help with this than simple positive/negative incentives provided at school and at home. I would definitely be looking into whether the school needs to develop a behavioral program for your child, what kind of additional program you can implement at home, and whether you need a different school that can work on these challenges throughout the school day.

Good luck!