ADHD / ADD Support Group
Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and attention deficit disorder (ADD) are more common than you might think. It is a syndrome that exhibits symptoms such as hyperactivity, forgetfulness, mood shifts, poor impulse control, and distractibility. Join others who suffer from these conditions and share your experiences.
My son was diagnosed w autism, but now may be adhd. He sAys has no friends in school, that everyone hates him, and wants to switch schools. He has a friend, who is 8 and comes here weekends and many days, who goes to another school. The issue is my son is really attached to this boy, and it's come to my attention that the boy is trouble.
This boy, who is 8, went through a severe trauma as a child, including seeing his brother thrown into a wall and having his skull partially smashed. I just learned this after a year of knowing him. We know his mother is single, has a special needs boy due to this incident (the man is in prison), and works a lot, but leaves her son w her 12 year old daughter. The boy comes here bc we take him to the park, feed him, take him to activities, etc. He is seemingly sweet and good hearted w me. I feel for the boy, and my son is bonded to him as an only real friend.
The issue is that this boy breaks into churches, throws rocks at buildings and cars, steals from people and businesses. He was caught today shutting down the computers at his school. ... they had to lock down the school bc of it. This came from a teacher who was talking to my husband at the corner store, where the owner also corroborated that he's banned due to such behavior. The thing is, He's not like that around me. I worry how far he will spiral once we sever our connection, but more so worry what dark path he could lead my son.
What would you do? It's so painful to see my son suffer without friends. He alienates peers w his crazy shenanigans and hyperactivity and disconnection from what is happening around him. I know it's also not my responsibility to parent this other child, but I've come to feel like he's part of our family given he's here so much, and I don't mind an extra meal or paying for him to go to the pool, bowling, etc. My husband is saying we need to completely cut him out of our family, yet his cry for attention surely shouldn't be answered w abandon and ostracism. Idk. His mother is over extended, and he's so young that I don't know what might be out there to help her. I feel our family is the only good thing in his life, but also that I need to protect my own.
This boy, who is 8, went through a severe trauma as a child, including seeing his brother thrown into a wall and having his skull partially smashed. I just learned this after a year of knowing him. We know his mother is single, has a special needs boy due to this incident (the man is in prison), and works a lot, but leaves her son w her 12 year old daughter. The boy comes here bc we take him to the park, feed him, take him to activities, etc. He is seemingly sweet and good hearted w me. I feel for the boy, and my son is bonded to him as an only real friend.
The issue is that this boy breaks into churches, throws rocks at buildings and cars, steals from people and businesses. He was caught today shutting down the computers at his school. ... they had to lock down the school bc of it. This came from a teacher who was talking to my husband at the corner store, where the owner also corroborated that he's banned due to such behavior. The thing is, He's not like that around me. I worry how far he will spiral once we sever our connection, but more so worry what dark path he could lead my son.
What would you do? It's so painful to see my son suffer without friends. He alienates peers w his crazy shenanigans and hyperactivity and disconnection from what is happening around him. I know it's also not my responsibility to parent this other child, but I've come to feel like he's part of our family given he's here so much, and I don't mind an extra meal or paying for him to go to the pool, bowling, etc. My husband is saying we need to completely cut him out of our family, yet his cry for attention surely shouldn't be answered w abandon and ostracism. Idk. His mother is over extended, and he's so young that I don't know what might be out there to help her. I feel our family is the only good thing in his life, but also that I need to protect my own.
There's a Youtube documentary called Child of Rage, portaying a severely abused six-year-old girl who keeps trying to kill her new adoptive family. It's so sad to see. But with the right program and mentor, she was able to become a normal, functioning adult later in life.
I'm not saying this 8-year-old is a killer but it seems antisocial children's brains are still developing and have hope for change if they get the right kind of help early enough.
Ideally you can find your son some new friends, challenging as that may be. Perhaps you could find him some adult friends who would be understanding. I have a lot of fun with my three-year'old nephew and he considers me a good friend :).
Best of luck to you both