Parents of Children with ADHD Support Group

counting or deep breaths "blowing" the anger out?

there's a poster in the headstart class my daughter is in.
it has illustrations on how to calm yourself down.
it says "check in. Hand on tummy" then "breath in and count" ....at least i think tha'ts what it says.

Thanks a lot, I will try both your suggestions, I hope it works with my son.

God bless!!!

I just wrote you, but I'll write it here too :)

My son started carrying a rubber band to school with him to wear on his wrist, so he can use it as a fidget toy when needed and also to calm him down (he's found that it works - just playing with it and putting his focus into moving it around his wrist = calming action), but as I said, you have to make sure he won't be using it inappropriately, like flicking them at the teacher (which my son has done on occasion.. lol).

I agree with the counting and breathing too.. they both seem to help.

Thanks spidermom, I will try that too before I take him to summer program which he is required to take a week from now. If any of the suggestions works, I will all let you know. i really appreciate all these help that I am getting here.

God bless!!!

Hi Lynn, I have to to agree with Holly and Silver, I've learned the breathing tecnique from her counselor a few yrs. back, inhale through the nose and blow slowly out of the mouth.

Hi lynn I just looked back to my post and when you replied you mentioned a med that I have never even heard of, are you sending him to his camp before seeing the Dr.? It sounds like his ADHD is very severe but maybe to if he where to get on a different med, he would be so much better and be able to comply and follow directions and settle himself down.

Thanks Lori41, My sons' medicine right now is Focalin XR 20mg. It works when he is in a classroom that doesnt look messy ( my sons teacher doesnt know how to organize the classroom so you will see a lot of things everywhere) He is able to concentrate. But when he returns to his classroom, everything changes.

He is not going to a summer camp, but they have a summer program in school. I will be taking him to his doctor this coming June 3 and I think she will have to change his meds.

I really hope that the new meds will work for him this time.

Again, thanks and God bless!!!

I sure hope all goes well at his Dr. appt. Its hard, and this is alot for him to handle at this time, epecially if he is asking how to calm hisself down, he understands whats going on and wants help.
I just want your Dr. to hear you, because there are Dr. out there that are just plain stupid, sorry thats how I feel, and I know, my
phsyc Dr. is new to the feild and I tell her what I want to try, I research alot of meds online, I will look up your med later and see
how well its suppose to work and what its working for, if you want too give me his diagnosis, I'll look for you and then when you go too Dr. you have all your info on hand.

Just trying to help..lori

Just curious, what do you mean trying to calm down? I'm still trying to figure out if my son's extreme frustration is linked to ADHD? I always hear about "focus" but my son gets so upset so easily too...he has not had his diagnostic testing yet.

So to help my son with his frustration, the psychologist told him about a secret belly breathing technique. He takes a deep breath and tries to hold it a little, puts his hands on his belly (after filling it with air) and slowly acts like he is pushing the air out and exhales. Its worked a little for my son but he still forgets to do this.