Medicine for Behavioral Problems

Hi W.,

It sounds as if Asperger's might be something you want to look into. However, medication won't help with social skills. There is a private school in Plano, Great Lakes Academy that specializes in educating students with Asperger's, AD/HD, and various learning differences, by providing small class sizes (10:1), social skills classes, and one on one attention. You can visit their website at www.greatlakesacademy.us.

I agree it sounds like Asperger's .... which meds will help with focus, but behavior training from a professional through the school or privately is needed for social issues.

W.,
Has your child been diagnosed with ADD or Aspergers? Does he have sensory issues like he doesn't like tags in shirts or sounds bother him? There is a place called Center for Social Success that can help you in Plano. Their number is ###-###-####. Please call them. He is getting older and need the support.
L.

http://www.aboutourkids.org/families/disorders_treatments... hopefully you can get to this sight. If not go to www.aboutourkids.org and put Asperger's in the search window. what you're discribing seems to fit the profile and this organization is committed to teaching the social skills to the otherwise smart kids that suffer through this disorder. Like you said too many get the ADHD label and I'm afraid it could become true for Asperger's as well, but take a look and glean what might help.

Hi W. I do understand the frustration of ADD my son is and
is on medication for it. I hate to hear when people say that Add is over diagnosed in children. ADD comes with so much stigma that just adds to the stress of the disorder and the ability to accept help without feeling judged for it. You dont hear people say that too many people are being diagnosed with diabeties. Dont get me wrong I understand where the idea comes from but there is a true difference between a energetic kid and ADD or ADHD. My son is on the patch and we follow strict diets of no sugar, red dyes, preserved foods etc. We also take vitamins and have a organized plan for the evenings. Last summer we didnt use the medication it made it difficult for all of us. He doesnt understand why he cant seem to get together and really beats himself up calling himself stupid. We have had a complete turn around using daytrauna and his behavior is wonderful, hes a straight A student and he excels in sports his confidence is restored and he thanks me all the time. My 3 years experience of him using the medication is that it doesnt alter his personality at all, he is not a "zombie" and all the other negative things I was also afraid of. He still has to study but when he does he can concentrate on what he is doing. Where as before meds he couldnt. It is not a magic pill he still has to discipline himself to sit down and do the work. ( the all natural way seemed to calm him but not help him focus)so I use the and food method in addition too. I am not pushing meds I am just sharing my story and I hope this helps it is a hard road trying to find what works for your family and find relief good luck!

Your children sound as if they are not ADHD but high functioning Autistic (Asperger). The medication is not good for them.
Try investigating a Gluten free diet. If followed to the tee I guarantee you will see a big difference.

R.

Is your son aspergers? Check out Dr. Kenneth Bock's book Healing the New Childhood Epidemics: Autism, Asthma, ADHD and allergies. A DAN! (Defeat Autism Now) doctor can help. Look on www.autism.com to find a list of DAN doctors. Dr. Rao in Plano can help. You can start with a gluten and casein free diet (remove milk and wheat products). The diet and MB12 injections make huge differences in many, many children. N.

Hi W.

I am new to the city and I would like to know where I can even start taking my son for counseling. He waa in counseling when we left but have not found anything out here. My son is on a drug not natural medicine which I am not sure which is better. You can hit me at ____@____.com. Thanks

Have you researched Asperger's Syndrome? Your son's symptoms sure do sound like it. Just a suggestion. J

Has anyone diagnosed your child with a social disorder, possibly Asbergers? Occasionally a very bright child has troubling socializing. If that is his problem, it can be diagnosed as a syndrome by a professional. Sometimes it can be treated by behavior modifications.

Your sons are already on medication, even if Addisil is a natural product. Natural products are chemicals, so if your boys would do better on a prescription don't be afraid. There you will find good guidelines as to how to handle dosing. Sometimes children are relieved to find that their brains aren't so busy when they are on meds.

You are already on the right track with the counseling. You need a specific diagnosis and then you will have definite paths to follow.

Good luck to you.

has your sone ever been tested for Aspergers? It can be difficult to tell... but several symptoms include social difficulties and aggression or behavior problems. My son is 5 and we suspect he has Aspergers but his diagnosis for now is PDD-NOS (pervasive developmental disorder.) He also has severe ADHD and Sensory integration disorder. You may want to have him evaluated. a great place to do that is Our Children's House Baylor. They have one in Frisco and other surrounding areas.

Sound like he could benifit from sensory therapy and ADHD meds. Our Childrens hous also has great therapy programs.

I had ADHD as a child and took Ritilin and looking back I am so glad I did because I hated feeling out of controll and having people make fun of me because I got in trouble all the time for talking and being hyper... kids hate being hyper as much as you hate the idea of the meds but if it works it really is better for them than not being able to controll them selves. Its only temporary as well...until they grow out of it or learn to function with out it. the therapies at ACH Baylopr help them learn out to function and controll...

Good Luck-
A. J

i am trying to re read the answers

I noticed that you said the medicine is natural. I know that my grandson was said to have adhd. Before they started him on medication they researched it on the internet and found sites that said that diet can play a big part in the problem. They took him off of products containing High Fructose Corn Syrup. It is hard to believe how many products have this. It has made a difference for them. It helped both my son and his wife lose weight also as they removed it from their diet as well. Good luck.
P.

Hi W.,

First of all, kudos to you for going all natural! I've read several articles about the increase in misdiagnoses of ADHD. This may sound too simple, but there is a growing research base showing that artificial colorings and additives hugely affect many kids. I shared that with the parent of a student, who was at her wits end. She carefully watched him for a couple of days to make sure he didn't eat or drink anything with artificial colorings, additives, or sugar. Oh my gosh...he was a different child! The hard part is that all prepared foods have those things in them, which means a whole lot of cooking at home. Pure green algae supplements from a health food store also had positive effects. By the way, I'm sure you're aware that it is very common for highly intellegent children to struggle with social skills. As frustrating as it is, you deserve a pat on the back~~nope, make that a big hug~~ for addressing these issues and working with your kids to overcome them. Way to go, Mom!!

Hi W.-
I read your question. I am a chiropractor. I have just learned something called "nutrition response testing". I am so excited about it. I am specializing in ADD/ADHD/ Autism, and that sort of thing. I am so excited about it. It turns out that these kids don't need drugs, the jsut need a little nutritional healing, and or, pulling out the heavy metals out of the body. What I am learning is so cool. I will be solving the cases that nobody else can fix. Call us. I can help!
Dr. J..... ###-###-####

My son who is now 23 yrs old had behavior problems also. We even put him in a juvenile center for awhile but I was also experiencing some emotional battles at that time myself. If you use tough love and really teach your children, they will one day turn out to be all that you have prayed and hoped for. There is hope - and I had a lot of counseling to help me learn how to parent. It sounds like you could use a "mommy break" at times in order to deal with very challenging but intelligent children. I think you are doing very well - but please be nice to yourself too!
M. Alice
P.S. One day I looked at my son and thought, "Who are you and what have you done with my son?"

Improvements in behavior have occurred when families limit the amount of sugar, high fructose corn syrup, artificial colorings like Red Dye #2, and artificial sweeteners like Aspartame and Splenda in their childrens' diet.

The original doctor to write a book on the connection between bad behavior and bad food was Dr. Feingold. I think his book was called THE FEINGOLD DIET. The newest guy to come along discussing how to change your life by changing what you eat is Jordan Rubin. His book is THE MAKERS DIET which was on the NY Times best-sellers list. His newest book is PERFECT WEIGHT AMERICA and last week, the Sprouts store in Southlake, Texas, was giving away free copies of his book with any purchase of Jordan Rubin's Garden of Life products.

Check out CHADD. Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorders. It is a national organization. there information is proven and effective. More than one just parent support. I found it very helpful when dealing with my 3 sons. Sometimes a parent needs to know they are not in this alone and someone else has felt this way.
I think it is CHADD.org

This is not a response to the medicine question, i just want you to be aware of another ld often diagnosed as add/adhd. My son has it, and it is not well known, but is getting more publicity because it is become more prevelant. It's a type of autism, called asperger's syndrome. Do not panic!! Be brave and google it, and if nothing else it could help you later with someone else you love. On the other hand, if this ld seems to describe your sons' behavior and talents too, then you are going to be able to do so much to help them other than medicinal, which would not suggested while treating add/adhd.

My best friend Loy has a son that school has tried to diagnois with ADHD, but she talked with our doctor and he suggested a special diet. I can't remember the name but you should email her, your boys are about the same age and she has a ton of knowledge about the diet and it seems to really be helping her son. Her email is ____@____.com Bless,
A.

W.,

I read your story and pictured my own 10 year old as I was reading. Although I have not tried medication, I have wanted to at times and have spoken with several people about how to help a child focus. There have been two main suggestions and they are both natural. It is possible your son may be allergic to something he is eating. A friend of mine stopped giving her child artificial flavored foods and tries to do mostly organic foods, and it helped tremendously. Another friend of mine found that a drink called Spark made by Advocare helped her child focus. I do not know much about this drink, but it might be worth looking into. For my son, I changed his diet (try to make sure no sugar in the morning) and make sure he gets enough rest. I try to make sure he snacks often. These things have helped him. I wish you well. T.

Medication is not always the answer for behavior modification. Does your counselor specialize or familiar with Applied Behavioral Analysis? If you're not sure, ask. Most counselors have been exposed to this or you can research it online. It works well with kids and you can focus on positive reinforcements for behavior changes. The key is learn the motivation of the behaviors (attention, escape, self stimulation, etc.) and be consistent with the consequences and positive reinforcers. Also, catch your child being good, even if that means he is still or looking at you for a minute at a time. Has he been evaluated for anything other than ADHD? Good luck and talk to your counselor or doctor about other options for behavior managment before other medications are tried.

W., I'm sorry I don't have any advice your. I seem to be going through a similar situation. Reading your story, though interests me because my son is 4 and we're having issues with aggression and ADHD (possibly bypolar). My son is in counceling and is also seeing a Psychiatrist, however, my husband and I are scared to death to try drugs (and we won't). Would you mind telling me more about Addasil? I wish you the best and will lift you and your family up in prayer.

I've never used Addasil, but have used Ritalin when my 25 year old son was young, and "Thanks to the miracle of Ritalin" (which was my son's saying)he was able to focus and not make people crazy. Reading your sons symptoms was a flashback to what we went through. We read, we tried different structures, we cried, we prayed and finally we did what was right for him. We had him on a time release pill. That meant no worrying about weather he went to the clinic to take his medication.
I know there are side effects and we were blessed that he never had any of them, but he will be the first person to tell you how much it made a difference in his life. He didn't take the Ritalin on weekends, summers or holidays. It was strictly for school purposes.
We also tried natural means, but when it came right down to it, Ritalin (for us) worked.