Behavior Programs | ADHD Information

 

Hi Everyone:

I have tried the marble system with my 7 soon to be 8 year old son with ADHD and it didn't work very well.  He didn't put his marbles in and it was a fight to get him to do it so I then started doing it thinking it would be easier, but with two kids, a dog, two new kittens, husband, and our own business, I forgot to put them in also.  Anyway, I am trying it again and making it more simple for him since I have a tendancy to be long winded in explaining things to him.  However, just wondering if anyone else had any other behave program that worked well for them with a child close to my son's age.  By the way, he is on concerta 54 mg., which he wasn't on when I first started the marbles the first time.

Some days I feel like I have no control.  He is such a sweet kid, but can be very bosey and when confronted about it, becomes defiant.  His therapist says he probably has oppositional defiancey to go along with adhd.  just great!

Thanks and even though I am new, I love this forum.

Mars

Do you have a psychologist that you use?  Ours gave us a behavior plan designed for my girl.  Psychologists are helpful.Tdean:  Excuse me...it is late and I've had a looooonnnnngggg day, but if they start with 25 tickets, how do they earn the other 25 to get to 50?TDean, welcome.  What med is Miranda on?  Stimulants can cause OCD tendencies (as well I'm sure you know poor appetite and sleep).  You may want to reconsider the med you're using.

 

Misty22, thanks for getting back to me.  I think I might try the chart.  Seems simpler than the marbles for my son.  He will actually be able to see his progress.  Thanks.

 

Mars

Mars and the group,

I'm a mom of 5 and at our house we use tickets. We began by drafting a "contract" of household rules/expectations/etc. as a family. Only list a few, more than 5 can be overwhelming. I was sure to "guide" the wording to be positive, "We will ...." and avoided phrases such as "Do not ...". As we master certain behaviors, they are removed from our list and another is added. We all sign the contract and post it in the kitchen. We used Post - It brand flip chart paper which easily removes from any wall. The ticket system has evolved over time and currently, still works. The children begin each week with 25 tickets, hung on the refrigerator. After they accumulate 50, they recieve . Infractions will cause a loss of tickets; not keeping the rules, using the word "hate" all the time, being disrepectful in actions or voice. The first time we used the tickets, they were awarded and taken away much like the marble system. What is great about this type is discipline is the actual physical and visual involvment. It really hurts to make a bad choice and have to give up a ticket(s) the watch your brother get his money and you will need to wait until the next pay day.

Miranda is my wonderful 11 year-old ADHD daughter, who is the reason for this ticket system and the reason I just joined this forum. She responds well to this type of discipline. She has also had to write a plethora of sentences for me. The most common sentence is "I will have a good attitude in the morning." Helping her learn how to have self-control and know when she needs a "time-out" is my main goal. However, she has a terrible appetite, is small for her age though still within the acceptable range for her pediatrician, and does not sleep well. I am sure her poor sleep and appetite contribute greatly to her behavior. She also shows some OCD tendencies and constantly picks at her skin, especially if she has a scab, bug bite, etc.

I am looking forward to hearing how you all are dealing with these issues, and I am sure together we can help each other.

Thank you for your time!

Traci, mom to 3 girls (16,11,4) and 2 boys (15,9)

 

 

 

 

When my daughter was 7 we had a chart. Whatever we were working on at the time was on the chart ( cleaning her room, being nice to the dogs, etc). I'd give her stars for every time I saw her doing those things without a big hassel. When she got so many stars, she'd get a treat. I remember we did small treats for a certain amount to keep her from getting discouraged & then a larger treat when she reached her goal. I think you could tailor this to whatever amounts of stars you feel is right for your child.

Good Luck!

Good morning! In response to Mars, the children get 25 at the beginning of each week with the assumption that infractions, that cause loss of tickets, will not occur. As I said earlier, the system has evolved and for Miranda, having to give up the tickets works for her. I have been known to return some tickets when she has gone above and beyond, but generally I do not do that. I am sure the system may need to change again in the future.

SmallMom, Miranda is on Stratterra. We have recently changed from Adderall XR. She seems to sleep and eat only slightly better than she did on Add. She also sees a psychologist bi-weekly.

 

TDean...thanks...now that my mind is a little clearer this a.m. I understand.  This might be an option for my son.  Right now the a.m. isn't starting off too good.  Had a fight with his sister because he was trying to tell her how to play with one of her toys.  When I tried to explain to him that he couldn't boss her around, he exploded into a screaming match....I sent him to his room and then went into talk...he proceeded to push me (which has never happened before!) so now he is in there for 20 minutes because I am so mad I cannot deal with him right now. 

Off the bar here, but has anyone noticed their being more moody on the mornings they had melatonin the night before?  I think I am seeing a trend here with my son after he takes melatonin.

Thanks TDean for listening!