My 3 1/2 DS is ADHD with many sensory issues

Coke Slurpee ↓

Mon, May 01 2006, 12:30 pm

My 3 1/2 year old is ADHD and has many sensory issues. He bites his hand almost constantly and when he does he ususally is pretty aggressive and if it's not his hand in his mouth it's his shirt or jacket. Sometimes he is totally out of control and all over the place. He doesn't mean to hurt others, when we speak to him, most of the time he just doesn't understand that he did something wrong and even when he does, it does'nt prevent him from doing it 2 minutes later. disciplining does'nt seem to work. Anyone in a similar situation? Or any suggestions, what to do or who we can speak to?

↑ Coke Slurpee ↓

Mon, May 01 2006, 12:51 pm

He is not officially diagnosed, though I will probably have to get him diagnosed. But he basically has every single symptom of ADHD. Also it's hereditary and it runs in both of our families.

southernbubby ↓

Mon, May 01 2006, 4:55 pm

Does your local Chabad have a Friendship Circle? They can possibly put you in touch with therapists and possibly send you a volunteer so that you can get some respite. You can also meet some other mothers with special children who know who's who in your area for treating adhd.

granolamom

Mon, May 01 2006, 9:11 pm

some books that may have ideas for you
Raising Your Spirited Child by Mary Sheedy Kurcinka
The Difficult Child (I know, poor wording choice for the title, but its a good book) by Dr Stanley Turecki
The Difficult Baby and High Needs Child by Dr Sears
good luck

↑ Coke Slurpee

Tue, May 02 2006, 10:39 am

My son is in Otsar this year, he is in their special Ed class, and is getting OT, PT (he is low tone) and speech.
Where can I find a good developmental specialist? I live in Brooklyn.

Also southernbubby, What is a friendship circle?

Thanx granolamom for the book titles, I'll have to see how I can get a hold of those books.

↑ southernbubby

Tue, May 02 2006, 11:11 am

In many cities, including Brooklyn, Lubavitch has a volunteer group that matches teen volunteers with families of special needs children. The teens come while the parent is elsewhere in the house, resting or focusing on the other children, and entertain the special needs child. They also have events and activities for special needs children and their families. I don't have the phone number for the NY branch of Friendship Circle but hopefully someone else who reads this post can supply it. Try to google it if that you don't get it through this site.

yrs1025

Tue, May 02 2006, 11:14 am

What is the Friendship Circle?
The Friendship Circle reaches out and extends a helping hand to families
whose children have special needs and involves them in a full range
of Jewish and social experiences. The Circle’s unique formula
introduces volunteers to the children and through shared
experiences both are enriched.

More information on Friendship Circle can be found at: http://shluchim.org/content/im.....e.pdf or you can just do a search for Chabad Friendship Circle.

Health is a Virture

Sun, May 14 2006, 3:30 pm

You definitely should make sure he is receiving occupational therapy from a therapist who is trained in sensory integration. It is amazing the difference between a good and bad therapist, and an excellent one who truly knows sensory. You will also want to set up a sensory diet, and learn the art of brushing....it is an amzing tool!!!

Understand and work together with your child!! Good luck, oh and the Out of Sync Child and the Out of Sync Child has Fun will give you some great ideas of activities to do at home, as well as, help you feel not so alone.

Try eliminating sugar and if you can white flour. It is amazing the difference in behavior that my son displays when he doesn't have sugar.

If you have any other questions, you can email me. My son has SI, and on the spectrum for ADHD,...following in dh's footsteps...so I can semi-relate.

Good luck!

amother ↓

Sat, Dec 29 2007, 8:15 pm

I just saw this thread and wanted to revive it...my dd is 4 and I feel like the op here is describing her almost to the tee...

she is receiving OT for sensory stuff, but she is also "off the wall", wild, impulsive, compulsive, obsessive, aggressive, exhibits anger (hitting siblings and me and dh), throwing things, discipline is a lost cause b/c consequences don't phase her. I was also reading on another thread that kids w/adhd don't sleep well...she never has, still doesnt' sleep through the night regularly. ADD runs in my family...I know it's not really diagnosed this young, particularly in girls, but does anyone have any suggestions???

we have such a difficult time w/her (esp. if OT is inconsistent like it is now w/the non jewish holidays)...we feel like we are always disciplining and yelling (which we hate doing...but are really lost w/how to deal w/her)...I cry just thinking how much negativity there is from us towards her behavior...any help would be so appreciated!!

MahPitom

Sat, Dec 29 2007, 9:15 pm

I don’t have enough experience with special needs but I was told by a professional that if a parent/child relationship causes lots of anger, the child be as far away from the parent until the parent can learn more about methods. If it means walking out and calling a sitter, or sending her to play with a friend for an hour, I think it can help you relax some. Ultimately, how you feel will make her day. Hatzlacha.

A.D.A.P.T.

Sun, Dec 30 2007, 10:40 am

Raising a child with AD/HD can get very challenging as AD/HD affects the way in which they react and respond. Behavior modification, one of the recommended treatment options, has been proven as an effective way to help parents understand and raise their kids with AD/HD. Behavior modification is not just about changing your child’s behavior; it is about changing your own behavior and outlook as well. It is about you helping your child understand the concepts of responsibility, consequences, reward, structure, rules, motivation and other areas which do not always come instinctively to a child with AD/HD.
You can find out more about behavior modification or other treatment options by speaking to a professional such as a developmental pediatrician, psychologist or psychiatrist. It can be more effective to work on behavior modification with a professional, but it can be done on your own as well. A good book about behavior modification and AD/HD in general is “Taking Charge of AD/HD“ by Dr. Russell Barkley.
For help finding a professional, you can contact Relief Resources at 718-431-9501 www.reliefhelp.org
It is not easy to live with AD/HD, but with proper treatment it can be successfully managed. Hatzlacha.

↑ amother ↓

Sun, Dec 30 2007, 8:07 pm

I don't have major personal experience with ADHD yet, one thing is for certain, get your child OFF SUGAR calm his nerves and try things NATURALLY before you start with rydalin. My husband got rydalin from our pcp to help him focus, he claims it was amazing for the first 4 hours yet for the next 18 hours he couldn't sleep, couldn't eat, was anxious and felt anxiety. My husband at 30 was able to notice the awful affects, yet a 3 year old child has NO WAY of describing these symptoms. I beg you don't rob your 3 year old from his childhood please try and heal him naturally.

↑ amother

Thu, Aug 21 2008, 7:35 am

Here are some suggestions

Give him plenty of sensual things to play with. There's a good recipe for making homemade playdough. Water-play in tubs with soap bubbles is great. Get big butcher paper and tape it to a wall - let him paint with big brushes. Buy a huge ball (physical therapists use these) for him to roll on his belly. Swinging is good therapy; also climbing ladders, and hanging from play equipment

Music is soothing. I recommend "Mitzvot, Mitzvot, Everyday!" (morahleahmusic.com). Also classical music such as Motzart and Bach, or niggunim.

Social situations: Kids with ADHD often misread social signals. Explain things ahead of time. For instance, "Sometimes kids play like they're fighting, but it's just for fun. You have to be gentle and just pretend", or, "If someone bothers you, tell them 'Stop!' If they don't stop, come and tell Mommy.

My son had problems like yours, and he is now a responsible, kind 23 year old. Hang in there!