Parents of Children with ADHD Support Group
This community is designed as an open forum where the parents and guardians of children with ADHD (Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) can give and receive support, as well as discuss ideas, techniques, concerns, surprises, and challenges they may face with their children.
My almost 12 year old son has been on Biphentin for the past couple of years for his ADHD and it has been working great for us. He's always been a very sweet, affectionate, caring boy, who just had trouble with impulsivity and with focusing in school and staying on task. The meds helped tremendously, and coupled with a great IEP at school, he's been doing GREAT the past couple of years.
This year, however, has been a challenging year for us. He is in 6th grade.. a senior at his school. His teacher fell ill in October, and they've had several teachers since then, which has been VERY hard on him. He thrives on routine, and there's been very little of that this entire year. They do have a permanent teacher now though, as of January, but I still feel like my son is trying to settle in and the year is almost over.
My problems are far bigger than this though, and his behaviour has really taken a bad turn, and it's both scaring me to death and breaking my heart. My mild mannered affectionate boy has been caught in several lies, both to me and to his teachers, he's gotten several notes sent home in the past month for swearing in class, badmouthing teachers, not listening.. and today his teacher told me that during a partner presentation, he slapped his partner in the face in front of the entire class because he wouldn't say his lines, and he made the boy cry in front of the whole class. This breaks my heart because this poor little boy will never forget that. I can't even imagine the heartache he feels for being so humiliated in front of his classmates at the hand of my son. It's so out of character for him, I don't know what to do. The teachers are asking me if anything is going on at home, and there's nothing going on. Everything is completely the same at home. I know he hates school this year.. he hates that he has to work so hard and he's tired when he comes home - that's his complaint every day. But could all this behaviour change be from a medication that was working so well for him all this time? I just can't see it. Or is anything else going on? Is this an age thing, that might be worse because of his ADHD? I don't know. I am lost and so upset, I can't even talk to him. I can't talk to him because all I can do is cry. Can anyone help? I don't know what to do. :(
This year, however, has been a challenging year for us. He is in 6th grade.. a senior at his school. His teacher fell ill in October, and they've had several teachers since then, which has been VERY hard on him. He thrives on routine, and there's been very little of that this entire year. They do have a permanent teacher now though, as of January, but I still feel like my son is trying to settle in and the year is almost over.
My problems are far bigger than this though, and his behaviour has really taken a bad turn, and it's both scaring me to death and breaking my heart. My mild mannered affectionate boy has been caught in several lies, both to me and to his teachers, he's gotten several notes sent home in the past month for swearing in class, badmouthing teachers, not listening.. and today his teacher told me that during a partner presentation, he slapped his partner in the face in front of the entire class because he wouldn't say his lines, and he made the boy cry in front of the whole class. This breaks my heart because this poor little boy will never forget that. I can't even imagine the heartache he feels for being so humiliated in front of his classmates at the hand of my son. It's so out of character for him, I don't know what to do. The teachers are asking me if anything is going on at home, and there's nothing going on. Everything is completely the same at home. I know he hates school this year.. he hates that he has to work so hard and he's tired when he comes home - that's his complaint every day. But could all this behaviour change be from a medication that was working so well for him all this time? I just can't see it. Or is anything else going on? Is this an age thing, that might be worse because of his ADHD? I don't know. I am lost and so upset, I can't even talk to him. I can't talk to him because all I can do is cry. Can anyone help? I don't know what to do. :(
I don't know how good your school district is with children with these type of disorders, but, in mine, children with violent tendencies end up in "special behavioral classes" away from the main student body so that they are less likely to assault other students.
I understand the exactly where you are right now... I've been through it with my 13 year old son. I did get him help and most of the scary behaviors are behind us. If you need to talk feel free to send me message. Good luck. *hugs*