My 7 year old son was just diagnosed with ADHD, PDD-NOS, and Oppositional Defiant Disorder. I am wondering if anyone has any recommendations on good books that may help me to "deal" with my son's behaviors. The ODD is really where I would like to get some information, as this seems to be causing the most problems for our family. Every day is a struggle and it is just taking a toll on the entire family at this point. We are looking for BSC services in our area (Munhall), but i'm having an awful time finding a place that accepts my son's insurance (most are only accepting Medical Assistance). Any suggestions on facilities in the area that you like are welcom too.
Thanks for any help or words of wisdom! Sometimes its just nice to hear that your not going through this alone and other people feel the same way.
You could try "The Explosive Child" by Ross W. Greene. My two sister's both have kids with ADHD and have found it helpful. I've read most of it and although I don't remember it addressing ODD specifically I think it would probably be worth reading.
K.,
With the PDD diagnosis, you really do need to apply for MA. Your son qualifies under a disability loophole. By getting the MA, you will be able to get him all the help he needs. A BSC could help you immensely if you get a decent one.
I have a 12 yo daughter with ODD and Asperger's, and the book "Have a New Kid By Friday" helped a lot for us. I also like From Chaos to Calm and The ADHD/Autism Connection. Feel free to contact me if I can help any further. I've been doing this with my daughter for 9 years!
B.
O. thing I wanted to mention is that if he has a diagnosis, you might be able to apply for medical assistance regardless of your own private insurance....it might get you more services and options. Good luck!
K.,
First, the diagnosis is very hard to accept. I know. My daughter is on the spectrum. But you live in a great state because autism services are covered under Medicaid. The first thing you have to do is start the MA application process. It takes a few months to complete. Once your son gets his MA card (and he will) then you can get him all of the services he needs. Under Act 62, private insurance must cover some autism services. If your local BSC providers do not take your insurance, then you can request that they apply. This also will take them some time to do as they are probably applying to dozens of different insurance carriers all with different requirements. Here is the Pa website http://www.dpw.state.pa.us/ServicesPrograms/Autism/ It is a lot to read through but it is easier to read it online rather than call. This link will take you to the autism insurance page fact sheet with a link to MA: http://www.dpw.state.pa.us/ServicesPrograms/Autism/Act62/...
Make sure you get the speech testing done and the occupational therapy testing done. Also inform your school of the diagnosis and begin working with the school and the intermediate unit on your IEP. This will help your son get the services he needs in school.
Another program that has worked wonders for my daughter is a social skills program. This is covered under MA.
Just to let you know, it took the better part of a year for me to get all of the therapies lined up. It took about 3 months to get MA. It took another 3 months to get wraparound services due to high demand. It took almost ten months to get a speech therapist slot. The easiest slot to get was social skills. We go to Stepping Stones. Stepping Stones also has a support group but it is in Washington County, about 35 minutes from Munhall.
Support groups are a great place to get information. All of us parents have been through it so we know the ins and outs.
Finally, don't expect miracles. Autism is the long haul. You may see a stride forward and then several strides back. It takes a lot of work and effort and support and love and especially patience to parent a child on the spectrum.
If you want to read more about us, check out my blog at www.unlockingrose.com
Good luck to you and if you want to talk, send me a private message and I will send you my email.
Hi K.,
I am not in your area so I can't give you any information about local resources, but I do have an 8 year old boy very similar to your son and I very much understand what you are going through. I have read many books over the past few years and they have all given me something to take away and apply, or increased my understanding of my child (The Defiant Child, The Explosive Child, Raising Your Spirited Child, From Chaos to Calm, and more). I just finished reading The Myth of the A.D.D. Child (50 things you can do without medication to improve your child's behavior) and it has been very, very helpful. I would really recommend reading it, whether or not you agree with the author's take on ADD/ADHD and medication, because it is so practical and gives you a different angle of looking at your son and all the factors that may be contributing to his behavior. It's easy to read, and there really are 50 suggestions- all explained clearly without being long-winded, most things you can try right away that will show some improvements whether or not you are using medicaton. It's just encouraging to be able to actively do something that is helping. Please feel free to message me if there is anything else you need or if you just want to talk. Take care!
My daughter has ADHD and a mood disorder, She had a total meltdown over icecream. I was so fed up and frustrated -I had enough ! I found this book called 10 days to a less difiant child .I can't tell you enough how much I learned about myself . Being a parent is not easy- they don't come with instruction manuals but I can tell you - this book has completely turned my childs life around and mine ! Her behaviors have dramatically changed and for once I actually say " I look forward to my day and spending it with her ! You are not alone AND TO ALL THE WOMAN READING THIS----------THANKYOU FOR ALLTHE ADVICE !!!!!!! You have really helped me !
ADDitude magazine is a wonderful, easy to read resource for dealing with ADHD. It really gives practical tips for dealing with everyday challenges and is science-based so you can avoid the nonsense that's out there about this condition.
Good luck in getting started with treatment!
Hi K.,
You may want to contact a pediatric occupational therapist who is trained in sensory integration. There is a scrub brushing technique that might help.
Also, fish oil helps. You may have read that a lawsuit has been filed against most supplement companies that make it becasue of contamination. Shaklee's Mighty Smart is safe. You can find it at http://www.shaklee.net/healthforlife. If you would like more information on supplements that help, let me know.
Good luck and God bless.
Victoria
K.,
If you call ABOARD (Advisory Board on Autism and Related Disorders), they'll send you an info packet and explain over the phone, too, how to apply for MA. It's essential that you get it for your son, then pretty much all the services you need will be covered by that insurance. The number there is ###-###-#### or toll free: 800.827.9385. The Autism Center of Pittsburgh is another excellent resource, with 3 locations around the city. The number for their South Hills office, in conjunction with Aspire Pediatrics, is ###-###-####. Kristen there can give you great advice about services around town. BSCs and TSS will come to you from anywhere in the vicinity, so don't limit yourself to the most local agencies.
My 5-y-o has PDD and possibly the other two diagnoses, too, so I feel for you. Best of luck!
L.
My children have ADHD. I like Edward Hallowel's books; Driven to Distraction and Parenting ADD. I also like the website mentioned below additudemagazine.com and the National ADHD website CHADD. I have also read the books that the other mothers mentioned, The Explosive Child, The Spirited Child and 1,2,3 Magic to name a few. I have taken a little something from each of the books. Ignore the post that criticize your discipline techniques, these kids do not respond to the same methods that the main stream kids respond to. Kids with ADHD usually have very special gifts to offer and you will discover them once your son gets his ADHD and other disorders managed.
I had never heard of ODD. I had my daughter evaluated years ago for ADHD and it was a no. I looked this up and for symptoms, my daughter matches perfectly. WOW. But she is only like this at home. At school and at friends' homes she is fantastic and I get compliments of how she is so well behaved and helpful. We are getting her into therapy to help her and ourselves learn how to deal with this and I am going to bring this up. One thing I am doing is trying to watch how I react to her and stay in the positive. Also, when she starts to really get out of hand I raise my hand and she knows that it is not the right time to talk about whatever it is and she needs to take a 5 minute break in her room and then come back. This has helped her realize that she has gotten out of control and has brought a bit of calm. I also try to watch how I react to her otherwise. She complains I don't listen and I try to make some time for her so she can tell me about stuff she draws or books she creates. She has been like this sinec about 6 or 7 and it has gotten more intense so that makes me think maybe ODD is at work here. The website I found some stuff on is Http://aacap.org/cs/root/facts_for_families_with_oppositional_defiant_disorder
I know websites are not the greatest place for info but sometimes we can get some insight to use with relating to our kids. It is harder to be a kid today than when I was little and hard to be a parent.
I have a nine yr old has ADHD. I am not in your area so I am unable to help you there, but some things that i have done are medication and family counceling. We go twice a week. I am greatful that my insurance is accepted. you can ask your son's doctor or call the insurance company to see who takes their insurance. I too have read The Defiant Child, The Explosive Child, Raising Your Spirited Child, From Chaos to Calm. All of them were great books. I also read Listening to Your Kids so They will Talk. All the books listed were recommended by my family councelor. I hope this is helpful to you. I wish you the best.
