It is hard, because so much of what these children do is based on the disorder. I'm having the same problem. I can't let him get away with misbehaving, but I don't want to punish him too severely because I don't know how much of his behaviour is because of the ADHD.

I try very hard to punish with a gentle hand, a loving tone, and understanding that he sometimes really can't help himself. I praise as much as possible, and boy do I go overboard for even the smallest things. He thrives on the praise, and therefore the punishment is even more effective. He wants me to be pleased with him, not upset with him.

I hope it will get easier, for my son and yours. It's tough being the parent of an ADHD child. We, as parents, are supposed to have all the answers, and that simply isn't true. There is no "right" way to raise a child with ADHD, sadly it's a lot of trial and error and hoping to find something that works.

I'm here if you want to talk about it. I know that you have your hands full, you child doesn't only have ADHD, and that disorder is hard enough, but to add the others as well, you could use some moral support.

We're here when you need us. :)

I know what you are going threw I have three ADHD children and one of them with also SED Sever Emotional Disorder It took almost two years for the dr's to get him on the right meds. My daughters they were find with what they got the first time thank goodness But it took two years for them to get my son on something that works... right now he is on Concerta and Seroquel 150mg of Seroquel with 38mg of Concerta 30 minutes before school and cause he is so Hyper and Emotional he takes 50 mg of Seroquel & 18 mg of concerta at 10:30 am at school and home... and cause he can't sleep at night they put him on 200 mg of Seroquel at night about 7pm... he used to go and go and go... and would stay up tell 2 am and then go to bed and wake up at 4 am... we tried Adderal and all that stuff and it just made him worse Stratara was the worse med I have ever had to put my kids on... the stuff makes them WORSE!. I'm not a beliver in that stuff yet it does help other kids just not mine... Just keep up the work in the long run it will work... just have faith... I know where you are coming from...


God Bless... In Kansas

Also Amphetamine Salt what most dr's don't tell you can kill your child I had to admitt my son into a mental health hospital once and they told me that Amphetamine Salt in young children can kill your child if taken for a long period

I'm so sorry to hear about your difficulties. There is NOTHING more frustrating than not knowing how to relate or help your own child. I had my son evaluated at age 3 because of extreme aggression (very unlike anyone in our family), and other things. He was diagnosed with a speak delay. His brain function tested at a 6-year old level while his speak was at the appropriate 3 year old level. So, it basically boiled down to frustration on his part (and many tears from me along the way).

Okay, so on to your son. I would really consider having them do some chromosome testing on your son. It's a simple bloodtest and he may have what is called "supermale" syndrome which is an extra Y chromosome. I believe it's also referred to as Jacobs syndrome. It's not all that uncommon but would be nice to rule out so that you know what things you don't need to worry about.

I too was told to modify my son's diet. I worked my booty off trying to find cereals and other nutritious foods that contained (or should I say lacked) many different ingredients. The biggest difference I came across was milk. I went back to normal on everything else and have him on soymilk, not cow's milk. It seems to be the only thing that even showed the slightest difference with his behavior.

Also, I'm no Dr, but I'm not a huge proponent of medication in general. My biggest advice in that department is to make sure that he's been on just one medication at a time for a few weeks. You need the opportunity to see if it makes any difference. Then if not, dump that one and try another. I would definitely avoid the med cocktail he's on. One for his mood and one for his concentration should be more than enough if it can be controlled by meds.

Hope this was helpful - I feel for you...

I also have a 5 year old who is most challenging. He is not diagnosed with any of these conditions nor do I think he has any of these but he is a discipline challenge all the same. Punishment does not work in any situation and I am a firm believer in do the crime do the time and adversion therapy. But I had to rethink all this with him. There are days I just ignore what is not important and do not give him the attention his bad behaviour has gotten hime before. I only reward good behaviour and make myself interact positively with him. When the days turn to more positive behaviour then I warn him what he needs to avoid for the next few days and work up to almost all good behaviour. But something will happen and we have to start all over again. It is against all my intuitions and does not feel "right" to me, but we worked with a behaviour therapist to get me to this point.

I would definitely work with a behaviour therapist (psychologist, family counselor) to help guide you in a plan you can comfortably enforce. The way I looked at it was "I may be correct in theory on what I was doing, but it isnt working" and I turned myself over to someone qualified to help in achieving my goals.

Good luc\k to you!