ADHD & Aggression

[PamelaM]

DS has punched 2 kids on two seperate occassions in the past 2 weeks. He is ADHD primarily impulsive. In both incidents he was pushed and responded with a punch. He is now suspended from school for 2 days. I am at such a loss as what to do about his aggression. We were faced with this last December and he was referred to a special school. His progress has been good and he began transitioning back to his home school this fall. Well, the incident happened at his home school this am. In December we moved him to the alternate school and increased his meds. He hasn't been overly aggressive/physically hurt anyone since.

Here is my struggle - I don't want our first response to always be an increase/change of meds when he is struggling. However, we can't have him behaving this way. We've asked for help and no one knows what to do - psychologist, social worker, pediatrician, school teachers/principle. Parent's of the other kids - what do we say to them? His classmates and their parent's are soon going to demand his expulsion if this continues. I'm just at a loss.........

Anyone have an suggestions? He is 9.5 and on concerta 27mg. We can increase to 32mg but he already struggles with sleep. So we up to 32mg of concerta and get a prescription to help him sleep (already taking 3mg of melatonin/night). AAGG!!

[sarahsweets]

It could be adhd odd or something else. Does he see a psychologist on a regular basis?

[Subtract81]

I doubt punching people is directly ADHD related, the video i watched earlier said there have to be immediate consequences for behaviour or it will not be learned, i imagine the consequences for his actions do not come soon enough for them to have any real effect on him? Just a thought. I imagine he will repeat the same patterns of behaviour as long as he gets the immediate results he wants, of course sedating would also do the trick.

[Ms. Mango]

When you say he was pushed do you mean physically or verbally? I found that once kids get to a certain age they know which kids they can wind up until they lash out physically. There were a few times my DS got in trouble for aggression when he was responding to being taunted--the perpetrators were off the hook as soon as he made physical contact. He was too impulsive to get an adult involved. I don't know how many times I asked him to get help, tell a teacher, etc. It never happened when he wasn't properly medicated.

Aggression is a metric on the Conners Scale. There are children with ADHD an no other co-morbids who display aggression. That said, most kids with ADHD aren't aggressive. There are some, however, my DS was one of those.

The aggression goes away when he is properly medicated. And, as a growing child, he has needed to have his dose adjusted upwards a few times. One of the ways I can tell when he needs an adjustment is that the aggression returns. Sure, anyone can have an off day. He can still be impulsive or hyper. But when the aggression returns I know it's not just having a bad day or two.

It's reached the point where I can see the signs before someone gets hit, but in the beginning I missed those signs.

Have you noticed any signs of increased aggression at home? Defiance, etc. Not necessarily hitting, but agitation or other behaviors that you saw last December? What about other factors? Is something happening at his home school? Teasing, bullying? If you can rule out external factors at school and home you may need to consider a increase in dosage or a change in medication.

[PamelaM]

Ms. Mango thank you for your post. He was physically pushed and reacted by punching. In the past 2 weeks or so we have seen signs at home and at extra curricular activities where he has been difficult to manage, definate and such. I even spoke with his teacher to see if he was being difficult and defiante at school which he has been. We discussed whether it was time to adjust his meds but never thought he would get physical again. Your post if very helpful. We have an appointment with his pediatrician in 2 weeks and will discuss a medication increase at that time.

[Ms. Mango]

Originally Posted by PamelaM

Ms. Mango thank you for your post. He was physically pushed and reacted by punching. In the past 2 weeks or so we have seen signs at home and at extra curricular activities where he has been difficult to manage, definate and such. I even spoke with his teacher to see if he was being difficult and defiante at school which he has been. We discussed whether it was time to adjust his meds but never thought he would get physical again. Your post if very helpful. We have an appointment with his pediatrician in 2 weeks and will discuss a medication increase at that time.

It looks like you may need to consider an increase.

Just out of morbid curiosity, what happened to the child who pushed your son?

[PamelaM]

According to the principal who was not present when the incident occured, no one informed him that DS was pushed to the ground. He was told that the girl gave him a slight push to get him out of her personal space. DS admitted to me that he didn't tell the principal she had pushed him to the ground. So, the other child was given a talking too about it wasn't appropriate to put her hands on him and next time she is to seek out a teacher instead. Had it been reported that she shoved him to the ground there would have been harsher consequences (possible 1 day suspension). The principal does plan to talk to the girl again but its more or less to late to do anything different.

I have contacted our psychologist and we will be meeting with the school and psychologist together to discuss any other options to help DS. The school's concern is that he is a safety risk to the other kids. It is just frustrating b/c they want him to behave like a "normal" kid but the reality is that he is different. Yes, a "normal" kid would likely have pushed back or walked away but he is an ADHD impulsive kids who has an extreme response. If we could do something to make him a "normal" kid we would have done that by now. I ge their concerns but he is still entitled to an education and to be treated like all the other kids.

[ginniebean]

Is there an iep plan in place for your son? You perhaps should request http://www.oafccd.com/factshee/fact20.htm

This is for Ontario, and I don't know which province you're in but each province will have something in place.

ADHD and behaviour issues do qualify.

[PamelaM]

Yes, he does have an IEP - the problem is that the school does not have the staff/training/resources to manage him regardless of the IEP. He does go to an alternative school as well (this happened at his home school where he goes for 1.5 hrs/day) but it is suppose to be a transitionary school - get help and go back to your home school. He is doing very good at the alternative school and we plan to request a placement until he completes grade 8 however, I am fairly positive we will be denied as the program is not meant to be for permanent placement.

[ginniebean]

The iep is a legal documents, it is tied to your sons human rights as a disabled child. What ever excuses the school is making it's not ok. Consider talking to want advocate to help you with this. If you message with your city privately, I can help you find one. Your son deserves the help and deserves not to be penalized for his disability.