if this sounds familiar what has helped

[Anonymous]

My son is 8, ADHD, mostly hyperactive type, on Adderal. Very strong academically, hyperactivity is in check, but we are struggling with the following issues. I have not really gotten any concrete answers/suggestions from his psychiatrist. So if you have dealt with similar issues please respond..

1. Misreads intent of others: for example someone bumps into him accidentally, he will scream that he was hit

2. Does not recognize impact of his actions on others: will do socially inappropriate and sometimes mean things, unable to self reflect

3. Overreacts to everything: if feels lighted over the slightest thing, like his brother took a blue crayon he wanted, he has a tantrum with crying, wailing, screaming

4. Does not have capacity to manage frustrations and setbacks: will have a tantrum, overreact

5. Does not have capacity to problem solve: even with lots of coaching, positive reinforrcement and reminders, he will still react to something in only one way ( crying)

This is impacting him socially, kids are recognizing his differences and he is not fitting in. Where do we go from here? Anyone with positive experience? will he grow out of it, will he be able to control his emotions with maturity?

[Anonymous]

To be honest, it does not sound like he is on the right medication, or the dosage is off. If he is having frequent meltdowns then something else needs to address that- therapy, different medication, behavior plan, etc.

[Anonymous]

Therapy, not medication, is the best way to treat these behaviors. When my DS was this age, we did a social skills class and it did wonders.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To be honest, it does not sound like he is on the right medication, or the dosage is off. If he is having frequent meltdowns then something else needs to address that- therapy, different medication, behavior plan, etc.

+1. He is not just hyperactive but very impulsive thus the acting out and tantrums. Medication is not working and needs adjustment. You should be addressing this with your child's psychiatrist who should be overseeing his medication.

After the meds are adjusted, you should take him to a social skills class. He'll get more out of the class if his medication is working.

[Anonymous]

How often does he have these behaviors? Constantly? If he has a two-hour playdate will you see these behaviors a few times or more? Or are you seeing them more like a few times a week?

DS can also overreact and have tantrums but this happens maybe 1-2 times a week and the episodes are shortlived (don't even get me started on how long he used to tantrum a few years ago). We haven't decided whether to medicate yet but social skills groups and CBT have done wonders. He's able to self-reflect and has the vocabulary to explain how he's feeling.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How often does he have these behaviors? Constantly? If he has a two-hour playdate will you see these behaviors a few times or more? Or are you seeing them more like a few times a week?

DS can also overreact and have tantrums but this happens maybe 1-2 times a week and the episodes are shortlived (don't even get me started on how long he used to tantrum a few years ago). We haven't decided whether to medicate yet but social skills groups and CBT have done wonders. He's able to self-reflect and has the vocabulary to explain how he's feeling.

These are almost daily. He is wonderful during play dates, but classroom and recess are overstimulating for him. I am concerned because his teacher is commenting on how some of his behaviors are turning kids off and he is inviting ridicule. We are waitlisted for Baker something social skills group. Hoping it will help.

[Anonymous]

Have you tried OT? It's done wonders for our 8 year old. That, and medication. She still has some social issues (frustration, trouble in crowds) but its gotten better...

Sounds like there's also some Sensory Processing disorder 'stuff' going on with your child, which OT can help with (i.e. you wrote that he's overstimulated at school and on the playground and in class--typical Sensory processing issues).

Good luck...it's a slog, this road!

[Anonymous]

Sounds familiar to me actually. My son has anxiety as well, and between Zoloft and on-going therapy is so much better now. I used to describe him as very reactive, and he still is sometimes, but its better.

[Anonymous]

This also looks like inflexibility to me. When things are frustrating or don't meet expectations, he's not able to modify his response or take a different perspective. My DS's therapist has been using "Unstuck and on Target" to work with him on mental flexibility and it seems to be helping. DS is also on Clonidine (in addition to a stimulant), which certainly doesn't hurt.

[Anonymous]

He has not done OT. I am hoping that social skills class and maturing over the summer will help. But this is definitely a venue to explore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This also looks like inflexibility to me. When things are frustrating or don't meet expectations, he's not able to modify his response or take a different perspective. My DS's therapist has been using "Unstuck and on Target" to work with him on mental flexibility and it seems to be helping. DS is also on Clonidine (in addition to a stimulant), which certainly doesn't hurt.

My DS (now 11) sounds very similar to OP's DS. Through his IEP, he's got counseling hours with the school psychologist who is wonderful (we are so lucky to have had her the last 3 years). She and the special ed teacher have worked with this program and another called SuperFlex. The both recognize this type of 'inflexibility' and rigidity. DS has made a lot of progress because they are able to work with him in the environments these blowups happen.

FWIW, DS is on Concerta 18mg. My oldest takes Intuniv. It's really helped with dysregulation exacerbated by teenage hormones.