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My son is almost 8 years old. For the past 2 years we are trying to figure out why he is acting the way he is. He can be aggressive, impulsive, loud, need to be reminded to wait for his turn and still have tantrums and mood swings. On the other side he is the most loving kid anyone can ask. He is always hugging and kissing and complementing. He is a very good student - no problems at school, socially or academically.<o:p></o:p>

We have been to several professionals and it is always the same answer – he’ll grow out of it. The more I read about ADD and ADHD I am not sure if that’s what he has. I have no clue what he has and why he behaves like that. Can anyone help?

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All we could possibly do is postulate what may be going on with your son. The behavior you describe can mean many different things on some level, including but not limited to ADHD, childhood bipolar disorder and Asperger's syndrome.

If you think something is wrong, I would think the best thing to do is to see YET ANOTHER professional to find out what the problem is. "He'll grow out of it" doesn't seem like a very thorough examination of your son then...

Try and see if you can get recommendations from someone else on a good doctor. Also, maybe telling the doctor the things you've told here would be a good idea? That you feel there is something troubling your son, but that the previous professionals didn't seem to take it seriously.

Good luck!

Hi orbit Welcome to the forums.

Hmmmm I don't understand how he can have

He can be aggressive, impulsive, loud, need to be reminded to wait for his turn and still have tantrums and mood swings.

and NOT have problems in school or with social functioning.

If the behaviors are not causing an impairment then there there is no disorder according to the way medical science operates. Normally they look for impairments in two different areas of functioning. Just an idea based upon what I have read.

You need to be your child's best adovcate and read and look into doctors and talk to them. Get him the help he needs.

We can help you there and you can also do a www.google.com (http://www.google.com) search.

check on www.chadd.org (http://www.chadd.org)
they are a good site to get information that you need. If you think he is ADD check out www.bigsplace.com (http://www.bigsplace.com) and aother site I love is www.geocities.com/heartland/trails/8488 (http://www.geocities.com/heartland/trails/8488)

remember you are the advocate for this child... he is precious, take care of him.

Some kids with AD/HD are able to hold it together at school and totally fall apart once they get home. I was one of those kids and didn't have any problems academically until I was about 10.

Has anything changed in the past 2 years? New sibling? Moved to a new place? Loss of a pet? etc?

No denying there may indeed be a problem but there simply may not be one that qualifies for a medical diagnosis.

If there is no impairment in a multiple areas then there can be no diagnosis. I am speaking based upon the medical literature provided for diagnostic criteria.

He is a very good student - no problems at school, socially or academically.>>

If there is no impairment in a multiple areas then there can be no diagnosis of ADD. I am speaking based upon the medical literature provided for diagnostic criteria of ADD in an attempt to offer some possible reasons for the doctors failing to diagnosis him with a condition.



Medterms.com (http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=22329)

The core symptoms of ADHD include an inability to sustain attention and concentration, developmentally inappropriate levels of activity, distractibility, and impulsivity.

Children with ADHD have functional impairment across multiple settings including home, school, and peer relationships.
***End Quote

~underlining and bold mine~

List of symptoms and how to go about seeking a professional for evaluation.

Diagnostic Criteria for ADHD (http://www.addforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23276)

I was like Tara, I was okay academically that I know of, and when I was 10 or in fifth grade that is when I began having problem.

I struggled in school some in my younger yrs, but I started school at the age of four. I was socially and academically not ready but the school system said Okay.