Help for preschooler with anger issues and gross motor delay

[Anonymous]

I would start with ot and speech at the Floortime center. They will help him with communication and motor delays.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP,

Is this a new school for him or a new classroom? It may not be the right fit for him. My kid started acting out and with a different school, absolutely no problems. Is he getting picked on? Are possible delays causing him to act out? Are there new stressors at home?

At 4, I don't think a psychologist would be helpful unless it's play therapy. I do agree with other people about scheduling a global evaluation with a developmental pediatrician. (And definitely no to the paint brush. Jesus definitely wouldn't do this, let alone anyone in their right mind.)

It's a new school - we moved him because we didn't think the old school had fully prepared his sister for K. I started working from home (after a few years of being a stay at home mom), and I do worry that my stress has affected him. I've let one of my two projects go in an effort to reduce that stress. We noticed the physical delay in a class, and I do also wonder if his body not doing what he wants/not feeling good when he tries to do certain things isn't a big part of this too. I don't think he's being picked on but that was absolutely the cause when his sister had a rough patch in preschool, though it was different than this.

This is not the right school for him.

[Anonymous]

If he was in a school setting b/f and wasn't acting like this, then the school setting might not be a good fit. (Please don't guilt yourself about going back to work.) Also, I'd still look into Maddux. Many of the SN or more supportive schools understand that the environment can make the difference.

[Anonymous]

PPs who recommend Maddux, can anyone tell me what hours their pre-K classes run? We're having trouble finding a school with hours that work both for our son and that won't dramatically change our daughter's schedule.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PPs who recommend Maddux, can anyone tell me what hours their pre-K classes run? We're having trouble finding a school with hours that work both for our son and that won't dramatically change our daughter's schedule.

Next year, for the first time, Maddux PK will be the same hours as the rest of the school, 8:30-2:30. Many families use the mcca center next door for after care.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why isn't he in PEP if you are in MoCo? Maddux will not take kids who act out aggressively. I'm not saying that to be mean at all. I feel like this child is in a school setting that may be triggering the behaviors in some way. Maybe he has anxiety or something else. But the stress at school could absolutely contribute to his acting out at home with his sister.

But other Maddux parents have posted that the school did accept their child who occasionally hit out of frustration/lack of structure etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why isn't he in PEP if you are in MoCo? Maddux will not take kids who act out aggressively. I'm not saying that to be mean at all. I feel like this child is in a school setting that may be triggering the behaviors in some way. Maybe he has anxiety or something else. But the stress at school could absolutely contribute to his acting out at home with his sister.

But other Maddux parents have posted that the school did accept their child who occasionally hit out of frustration/lack of structure etc.

"Hitting, kicking, and pulling hair at school" is not occasionally hitting out of frustration. OP can apply to Maddux but Maddux is difficult to get into even without these issues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why isn't he in PEP if you are in MoCo? Maddux will not take kids who act out aggressively. I'm not saying that to be mean at all. I feel like this child is in a school setting that may be triggering the behaviors in some way. Maybe he has anxiety or something else. But the stress at school could absolutely contribute to his acting out at home with his sister.

But other Maddux parents have posted that the school did accept their child who occasionally hit out of frustration/lack of structure etc.

"Hitting, kicking, and pulling hair at school" is not occasionally hitting out of frustration. OP can apply to Maddux but Maddux is difficult to get into even without these issues.

That's true. I'm thinking of my own son who hits when he has sensory melt downs, maybe like once a week. Sorry. Projecting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why isn't he in PEP if you are in MoCo? Maddux will not take kids who act out aggressively. I'm not saying that to be mean at all. I feel like this child is in a school setting that may be triggering the behaviors in some way. Maybe he has anxiety or something else. But the stress at school could absolutely contribute to his acting out at home with his sister.

+1. PEP is your best bet for now while waiting to see the developmental ped and attending PEP will start the process for a 504/IEP so that your child can succeed in K.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why isn't he in PEP if you are in MoCo? Maddux will not take kids who act out aggressively. I'm not saying that to be mean at all. I feel like this child is in a school setting that may be triggering the behaviors in some way. Maybe he has anxiety or something else. But the stress at school could absolutely contribute to his acting out at home with his sister.

+1. PEP is your best bet for now while waiting to see the developmental ped and attending PEP will start the process for a 504/IEP so that your child can succeed in K.

A PP here - But how can you be sure a kid whose only issue is aggression (say 2x/week) will qualify for an IEP or PEP? (I'm not familiar with the entry standards.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why isn't he in PEP if you are in MoCo? Maddux will not take kids who act out aggressively. I'm not saying that to be mean at all. I feel like this child is in a school setting that may be triggering the behaviors in some way. Maybe he has anxiety or something else. But the stress at school could absolutely contribute to his acting out at home with his sister.

+1. PEP is your best bet for now while waiting to see the developmental ped and attending PEP will start the process for a 504/IEP so that your child can succeed in K.

A PP here - But how can you be sure a kid whose only issue is aggression (say 2x/week) will qualify for an IEP or PEP? (I'm not familiar with the entry standards.)

That is why everyone suggested a full developmental evaluation including receptive/expressive speech. OP already stated that her child has gross and fine motor issues and coupled with the behavioral issues (and maybe speech issues) should get them into PEP. It is obvious that the current preschool is unable to help her DS.

[Anonymous]

If OP is having to pick her child up from school multiple times per week bc of aggression issues, this is a serious thing. It's not something that Maddux is used to handling. And, if you tell Maddux that you have to pick up DC from school for hitting incidents multiple times a week, you are certainly not going to get admitted.

And you don't want to be admitted somewhere at this point that is not going to be a good fit. Please be upfront about the issues wherever you are applying.

Please call Child Find and have your child evaluated. You may get placement in the PEP pre-k program. My child did PEP, he has Aspergers, and it was a really nurturing environment. He learned a lot and had no behavior issues. He had previously been an eloper from other class environments, couldn't pay attention, didn't understand how to participate in group activities and had gross and fine motor delays.

PEP provides a lot of structure and operates on rewarding good behavior instead of waiting to punish bad behavior.

Good luck to you. Please know that this post in no way is meant as a criticism or to be mean. I hope it is helpful to you and your child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why isn't he in PEP if you are in MoCo? Maddux will not take kids who act out aggressively. I'm not saying that to be mean at all. I feel like this child is in a school setting that may be triggering the behaviors in some way. Maybe he has anxiety or something else. But the stress at school could absolutely contribute to his acting out at home with his sister.

+1. PEP is your best bet for now while waiting to see the developmental ped and attending PEP will start the process for a 504/IEP so that your child can succeed in K.

A PP here - But how can you be sure a kid whose only issue is aggression (say 2x/week) will qualify for an IEP or PEP? (I'm not familiar with the entry standards.)

NP. There are also gross motor delays too. Worth a try, no?

[Anonymous]

OP here - thanks to all who have replied! He's not already enrolled in the programs many of you have mentioned because these are new issues, or at least the aggression is. He "graduated" from physical therapy with infants and toddlers more than a year ago, and he made a great deal of progress during that time - so much that we didn't realize until recently that he is still having some physical challenges that we're now in the process of addressing.

I don't want to say I'm happy to know others have dealt with/are dealing with the same issues, but it is nice to know we're not the only ones.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why isn't he in PEP if you are in MoCo? Maddux will not take kids who act out aggressively. I'm not saying that to be mean at all. I feel like this child is in a school setting that may be triggering the behaviors in some way. Maybe he has anxiety or something else. But the stress at school could absolutely contribute to his acting out at home with his sister.

+1. PEP is your best bet for now while waiting to see the developmental ped and attending PEP will start the process for a 504/IEP so that your child can succeed in K.

A PP here - But how can you be sure a kid whose only issue is aggression (say 2x/week) will qualify for an IEP or PEP? (I'm not familiar with the entry standards.)

That is why everyone suggested a full developmental evaluation including receptive/expressive speech. OP already stated that her child has gross and fine motor issues and coupled with the behavioral issues (and maybe speech issues) should get them into PEP. It is obvious that the current preschool is unable to help her DS.

No, she is saying her child's language skills are good. I would try switching the school first.