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tantrums
I have an almost 7 year old son who just started 1st grade. He was diagnosed with ADHD and he also some sensory problems language and fine motor delays while he was in preschool (4 turning 5). He is getting OT, ST, and extra help in school. His tantrums are horrible and he says thing like "I hate you, I want a new mommy, I want to live in the cemetary, you hate me" etc. He also can become destructive, not violent during the tantrum. He sees a Developmental Pediatrician often. She assures me he's just mad, not sad during these outbursts, but it does not make them any easier. I try not to get upset or angry, but it is very hard. He only has the outbursts for my husband and me. He is taking Tenex, .5 mg 3x day. We have had a very hard time with medication thus far, he lost a lot of weight on Ritalin, became very cranky on Straterra. I know the Tenex is not the best, but we did not want to make a big medication change at the very begining of school. Any suggestionsWhat kind of doctor diagnosed your son? I'm thinking that he needs both a psychiatric evaluation and a thorough neuropsychological evaluation to figure out exactly what's going on with him. His destructive tantrums and the words he says are not consistent with pure ADHD. These symptoms can be more consistent with bipolar disorder. Sensory issues and developmental delays paired with ADHD-like symptoms can be suggestive of autism. I'd also be concerned about the Tenex. While it is used to treat children with attentional difficulties, its side effects include irritability, and in rare cases, agitation. If your son has bipolar disorder -- and I'm not saying he does -- Tenex can cause mood swings. It is recommended that if a child seems unstable or irritable while taking Tenex, its use should be carefully examined. Just my thoughts . . .
SmallMom38616.8742708333[QUOTE=lucylucy] I want to live in the cemetary, [/QUOTE]
I think smallmom said it well but , that specific phrase in a tantrum, that's a new one! Very creative mind!  Right off the bat (because she sounds so much like my son) any child with aDHD behavior who had language delays and sensory issues needs to be tested to see if she has autistic spectrum disorder. I wouldn't even hesitate. I'd get on the waiting list for a NeuroPsych as there can be a lengthy wait, but it's worth it. Autistic Spectrum Kids get very frustrated and do tantrum, but it isn't because of being malicious and they need special interventions to improve. Please do your child a favor and get her tested. And don't trust the pediatrician, a talk therapist, the school or even a child psychiatrist to know. You really do need a Neuro Psych. He also could have co-morbid bipolar disorder, but he may not. Autistic kids can be VERY destructive until they are getting interventions. My son has PDD-NOS and was first misdiagnosed with ADHD/ODD, then bipolar. He is a perfect example of a child on the autism spectrum, doing REALLY well now, who was mistaken for both ADHD and bipolar. He's off meds now and a very mellow twelve year old, but it could have been a disaster. I truly believe that your Developmental Pediatrician, like so many professionals we took our son to see, is dead wrong about your child and you are right about him. Good luck. psm090438616.8848842593 [QUOTE=lucylucy] I have an almost 7 year old son who just started 1st grade. He was diagnosed with ADHD and he also some sensory problems language and fine motor delays while he was in preschool (4 turning 5). He is getting OT, ST, and extra help in school. His tantrums are horrible and he says thing like "I hate you, I want a new mommy, I want to live in the cemetary, you hate me" etc. He also can become destructive, not violent during the tantrum. He sees a Developmental Pediatrician often. She assures me he's just mad, not sad during these outbursts, but it does not make them any easier. I try not to get upset or angry, but it is very hard. He only has the outbursts for my husband and me. He is taking Tenex, .5 mg 3x day. We have had a very hard time with medication thus far, he lost a lot of weight on Ritalin, became very cranky on Straterra. I know the Tenex is not the best, but we did not want to make a big medication change at the very begining of school. Any suggestions[/QUOTE] He sees a Developmental Ped. Her specialty is ADHD and Behavior. We have been monitoring the Tenex, but do agree that it is not the best. We are having a neuro eval soon. Thanks for the input[QUOTE=psm0904]Right off the bat (because she sounds so much like my son) any child with aDHD behavior who had language delays and sensory issues needs to be tested to see if she has autistic spectrum disorder. I wouldn't even hesitate. I'd get on the waiting list for a NeuroPsych as there can be a lengthy wait, but it's worth it. Autistic Spectrum Kids get very frustrated and do tantrum, but it isn't because of being malicious and they need special interventions to improve. Please do your child a favor and get her tested. And don't trust the pediatrician, a talk therapist, the school or even a child psychiatrist to know. You really do need a Neuro Psych. He also could have co-morbid bipolar disorder, but he may not. Autistic kids can be VERY destructive until they are getting interventions. My son has PDD-NOS and was first misdiagnosed with ADHD/ODD, then bipolar. He is a perfect example of a child on the autism spectrum, doing REALLY well now, who was mistaken for both ADHD and bipolar. He's off meds now and a very mellow twelve year old, but it could have been a disaster. I truly believe that your Developmental Pediatrician, like so many professionals we took our son to see, is dead wrong about your child and you are right about him. Good luck. [/QUOTE] Thank you all for your input and suggestions. I feel better knowing I'n not alone.
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