Newbie.. but looking for help please

hello everyone My name is Jenny.

I have a son of 4 years with ADHD. I love him to bits  BUT he is tearing the family apart.

He is one of 5 .. the second youngest.. He is great during the day while he is medicated.. nothing we can't handle .. but in the morning and afternoon untill when he finnaly falls asleep he is a total nightmare.

He jumps off furnature, runs, screems, throws toys, hits, he littlerly climbs the walls.. litterly .

He wakes most days before 6am.. and we are lucky to get him to sleep by midnight.

My husband and i get NO time together to act like a couple.. or even talk.

i am at my witts ens.. can you please help with ideas or anything? please?

My other chilren are fed up and have even asked me to put him in foster care just for a while so they can have a rest.

I also have another child of 6.. i have not been able to try to get a diagnoses for him yet.

He runs jumps and loves to TOUCH.. things and people. he has NO respect for personal space.. if he likes the feel of what you are wearing he will rub it. But he also SCREEMS .. and will throw a fit at the smallest thing.. like the wrong colour sticker. he has bit people and other kids at school.

i will try to get my 4 year old settled and he will come and wind him up. he also chews everything .. shirts, toys, blankets. mitts, anything he can get to his mouth.

he also is a toe walker and will not look into your eyes. he will not eat any food that has been mixed like hamburger helper or shepards pie.. will not eat spagetti as it has "stuff" in it. Will not eat any mixed sandwich .. must be cheese only.

and i always mash the potato's wrong and he can't eat them.

 i have know idea what could be up with him.. i have looked but have found nothing.

I live in Ontario canada and there is a huge shortage of dr's here so its not as easy as going to the dr... my next appoint with my 4 year olds pediatricain is in May .

I really am having problems with all this... there is lots lots lots more on both of them.. but i must go chase my 4 year old .. he is bouncing of the couch again

I hope someone can help.

Hanging on,

You may want to check the Alternatives Board.  There may be some suggestions for calming a child there.  Sorry, can't be of more help. My sister's daughter is much the same way as yours.  She started her on Omega vitamins as well as magnesium and it has seemed to help calm her down.  Not perfect but better, however my sis does not have her on any medication at this point.

Welcome.

Welcome, hanging_on .  I hope you find a lot of help and support here.  There are some members of the forum, who know a great deal about meds and may be able to give you some good advice about medicating your four year old.  SmallMom has done a ton of research on meds, so you may want to PM her. 

Now, as far as your six year old...Many of the behaviors you mention (the lack of eye contact, toe walking, screaming for no apparent reason, lack of understanding of personal space, obsession with objects and colors) can be symptoms of autism.  I am not a doctor, and I have not met your son, but it sounds like your son is showing signs of this condition.  There is a forum member, PSM, who has a child with autism, and she can give you some great advice.

Again, welcome!

Thanks so much every one.. i was here earlier . but had to run as my 4 year old, Kieran, broke a window because he was told no.  :(

today is gonna be a bad day :(

Jenny

I would agree that your 6 year old does have symptoms that sound like autism, but it also sounds like sensory issues.  You might look up sensory integration dysfunction on the net and see if it sounds like something to explore.  There is a book called The Out of Sync Child that has good information.  The good thing is that if it is that, there are things to do for treatment. 

Your 4 year old sounds like a handful.  I can see why you would be worn out and overwhelmed.  The rebound when the meds wear off could be making him worse in the afternoons, so you could talk to your dr. about changing meds or having a booster dose in the p.m. 

I would agree to explore the alternatives section.  There are things like changing diet and adding supplements that can help some kids.  Welcome to the board and good luck.