impulsive behavior lands him at principals office

[Anonymous]

My 7 year old son sprayed a bottle of cleanser at one of his friends in the cafeteria. I spoke to the custodian and she said it has no bleach but is a milder cleaning detergent, similar to soapy water or a disinfectant of some kind. I am devastated. He told the principal he was just goofing around and didn't mean to hurt the friend. The child was sent to the nurse and her eyes washed out.

My son has a dx of sensory processing disorder and ADHD..some social anxiety also. Anyone been in a similar situation? He's not on any medication but we are thinking maybe it's high time to get him on them.

[Anonymous]

It does sound like impulsive behavior. Don't be devastated. It's a little kid's impulse. It could happen to any kid. No one got hurt.

[Anonymous]

Really, doesn't sound like anything that a non-ADHD kid might do at that age. I can understand your upset, certainly, and it's good that they are taking it seriously (so that he learns his lesson). One also wonders why a bottle of cleaner was lying around in reach. I work with cleaners and children and am hysterical about not leaving things like that lying within reach. Not saying that your son shouldn't have his responsibility made clear to him, but there's also the question. Anyway, I used to teach middle school and 1 of my kids did something similar. Total accident, just boys being boys. The boy who did the spraying is at an extremely impressive college now on a full-ride merit scholarship. The other kid actually had to go to the hospital to have his eyes checked out because it was a white-board cleaner spray. You'd think those kinds of things could be left out with 13-y-olds but no!

[Anonymous]

I think it is very normal that a 7 year old boy would see a bottle w/ a spray, have no clue what was really in it and spray it at somebody.

Thoughtless? Yes. Normal? Yes. Over the top? No.

It's really not a big deal. The prinicipal will handle it.

[Anonymous]

I agree with the PPs that I don't think this is necessarily an ADHD issue. This has happened at our school and involved kids I know are NT. It's the age.

[Anonymous]

If this is a one off type of thing, chalk it up to being a kid. If he is doing impulsive things all the time and being disruptive, the school will let you know. Then you may want to consider meds.

[Anonymous]

isnt the statistic in fcps that 44% of kids that have disciplinary issues have special needs. maybe its a sign to review appropriate behavior since he has the capabilty to understand. unfortunately a kid I knew ripped off necklaces or would rip off ladies' headscarves and laugh hysterically at it

Things on Americas Funniest Home Videos are funny but there are same situations where it turns out badly

[Anonymous]

At our school, the kids wash down the tables with cleaner themselves. OP, while I think that the isolated incident is something that could happen with any kid, in school kids have to be so careful. One or two incidents like that one lead to escalations like behavior plans, etc. Also, that girl is going to go home and tell her parents what happened and you had better hope that they don't go rushing in complaining that your kid is a bully. Sit your son down and tell him he must keep his hands to himself.

[Anonymous]

it's not normal and could land him in suspension or land you in a lawsuit. get that kid on meds. pronto.

[Anonymous]

Cafeterias are overwhelming. Too noisy. Too crowded. Etc. Decide if this was an event or behavior trend. Pp has a point. Our young DS was suspended for less harmful impulsive /anxious reactive behavior. And once "marked" the bar of tolerance by the admin gets lower and lower. DS is (and was) on meds by environment was still too much. For some kids, it's not as simple as "keep your hands to yourself."

[Anonymous]

...but environment still too much.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Followup - while at the principals office for ONE hour, the principal stepped away from the office for a few minutes. During his absence my son saw a pile of Christmas presents on his desk. Next to those Christmas presents was someone who gave him thirty or so tiny little soaps. My son, because of his sensory needs, craves tiny objects. So he steals one of those soaps and some post it's and hides it in his lunchbox. So while he's being punished for one thing, he's committing another violation.

Help! Is meds the only way out of this? Will it help?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:it's not normal and could land him in suspension or land you in a lawsuit. get that kid on meds. pronto.

You are nuts.

Perfectly normal, albeit very impulsive, for a young boy to see a squirt bottle sitting around and decide to spray it at someone.

He probably needs a good manners refresher course, not meds. He is only 7, still learning, so make this a learning experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:it's not normal and could land him in suspension or land you in a lawsuit. get that kid on meds. pronto.

You are nuts.

Perfectly normal, albeit very impulsive, for a young boy to see a squirt bottle sitting around and decide to spray it at someone.

He probably needs a good manners refresher course, not meds. He is only 7, still learning, so make this a learning experience.

Necessarily worthy of meds and parent angst? No. "Perfectly normal, albeit very impulsive?" No. I've worked in schools a long time. That's not typical behavior for a 7 year old, although I can think of several kindergarten students who might have squirted that bottle.

[Anonymous]

Meds aren't a magic bullet. Probably start working with a behavior therapist too.