I know this is a board for LD and ADHD, but I can’t find anything on the web that addresses that My 8yos was first thought to be ADHD, but then I’m told no he isn’t after testing. I began checking into things myself and am finding that his behaviours match RAD and ODD (Reactive Attachment Disorder and Oppostitional Defiance Disorder) I am going nuts! I’ve been homeschooling (5 kids) of which he is the middle child I’m at my wits end and am now placing him into public school. I NEED the break So do my other kids My 16yo is suffering from depression and his brother’s disruptions are a big part of it I just want to cry. I am scared of what this will mean for him in the future. Will he be violent? Will he hurt someone? Will he end up one of those despised faces on the evening news claiming ODD as a defense, that he was unable to look ahead to the consequences? I am so worried and frustrated and scared and sad. We adopted him at 3 months old. I sometimes wonder why God gave us this child if we weren’t the best ones for him . Two yrs ago he set fires and hid knives under his pillow . That stopped . But the off the wall hyperactivity, the ridiculous accusations, the yelling, the hitting, lying, stealing, controlling, vindictiveness, inflexibility and explosiveness are just too much. Now he’s been PEEING everywhere in my house! My house literally REEKS! I would be embarrassed to have anyone in. He pees on the dirty clothes, in drawers, between the stove and the wall, in my pantry, whereever! This too will probably pass, but what is next? How do I handle this? Can he ‘get better’? Am I the only one with all these worries?
Hope
Re: ODD and RAD how do I handle this?
You could see the doctor. I have read that there are medications that ameliorate most symptoms. Sometimes medications are preferable to the alternative.
Re: ODD and RAD how do I handle this?
Hope,
Jump on over to the conductdisorders board where the answer to the question: Am I the only with these worries? can be addressed.
I too have boy dx with ADD(by process of elimnation) and some other more behaviorly based stuff. He is nine now.
I hope that you get the support you need.
Liz
Re: ODD and RAD how do I handle this?
There is a forum in “About” specifically for Reactive Attachment Disorder. I’ve read the posts there from time to time, and the people are all supportive and knowledgable. The link is:
http://forums.about.com/ab-speclchild2/start
Re: ODD and RAD how do I handle this?
Hope,
When your child enters public school, IMMEDIATELY request they begin an assessment. Request a psychological evaluation and a full individual evaluation so they can determine his learning style. They must comply with a parent request for special education testing. Ask the school to help you. They are sure to know behavior interventionists and specialists who can assist you. Further, I hope you have contact with your pediatrician. I am sure you have searched every avenue. Ask the school to help and find someone who can help you and look down the tunnel towards the light! Best of luck!!
Dear Hope,
Try www.conductdisorders.com. The site also has a bulletin board for parents. I found it two years ago when my child was diagnosed with ADD. He was also oppositonal and at times I feared he was bipolar (there is also a bipolar website- bpkids.com). After a wasted year with a psychiatrist, I had him tested by the school district because he was having problems with reading comprehension. He was diagnosed with receptive/expressive language based learning disability and APD (Auditory processing Deficit). He is still stubborn and oppositional but his behavior is 100% better because I have changed my behavior (biggest change is that I don’t yell and scream anymore…with his APD, screaming at him made him wild).
I am not suggesting that the same will apply for your son, but I do believe that many children with mental health symptoms may be dealing with the frustrations of learning disabilities which only get worse as they progress in school. Good luck. sincerely, Eileen