I have a 10yo daughter with ADHD and ODD. We have had great success with Ogram's marble system (positive reinforcement behavior plan). I had to learn to calmly remind her what was expected and the marble consequences. The marbles for us result in money (allowance). She can trade in marbles for extra tv or game time and even an extra 1/2 hour up late (once she has proved to me that she can get up without problems).
Guanfacine (tenex) has been shown in small studies to help with oppositional issues as well as some of the ADHD symptoms (but not attention). A long acting form by Shire was just approved for ADHD and a new study is planned for ADHD + ODD. My daughter was put on guanfacine ~6 weeks ago to try out. We did this because she has weight issues and the doctor was not comfortable increasing her concerta (infact, she is on a break to gain weight). Now that school has started, we will try the guanfacine alone and add back the concerta as needed.
I agree with No Telling on the omegas, my son is not ODD but he could sure get grumpy because of his meds at the end of the day.. I used an Omega 3 that had high EPA content. The alternative board I am sure has much more info on the omegas. I also use magnesium in the afternoons.dtexas,
I'm feeling your exhaustion from here! I have two sons, one adhd and one not. The older one is 16, no adhd, and was very frustrating at that age. We got into a cycle of anger (on my part) and resistance (on his) until I realized that I'M the adult and I do NOT have to argue with a child. So I swore to keep my cool and let him know the consequences of opposition, and then had to follow through on those consequences. Boy, was he mad that he had to miss his girlfriend's 15th birthday party because he failed to turn in some homework! But from then on, we got a lot better cooperation. I'm not saying that it will be as easy as that, but it will get better for your blood-pressure if you resolve to take back control and not let him direct your emotions. Good luck!
I need some help...I am at my witts end with my 10 year old son. He has been diagnoised three years ago and is on medication but the meds do not help with the Oppositional difinance. As a mom, I just don't know how to deal with the constant non-follow through from putting close in the dirty close, to having me sign his conduct folder, to turning in homework. It's a constant battle, and I am completely worn out. Can someone please tell me how to handle this without exploding? I am constantly yelling at him and I am tired of being angry all the time. I am exhausted. I am a single mom and feel completely helpless and don't see the light at the end of the tunnel. Please help.
Dtexas
ok my son is only 4 year old but i am going to try to help.
i know you said you are a single mum so it might be more difficult,but this is my advice.
TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF FIRST.,A STRESSED OUT MUM MAKES IT WORSE(PERSONNAL EXPERIENCE).We have here what we call homestart,a lady takes my son on a thursday and he is away most of the day,i find it really good for my sanity,i don't know if you have that kind of things in the states.i also use his nursery time as my me time,i sometimes just relax home,read a book,catch up with friends or maybe go to a yoga class ect....it might sound stupid but most of us are so wrapped up with our children that we forget about ourselves.
i found that once i was more chilled and stopped shouting at him,he started responding and was less defiant.i always make sure we have fun time together also,so he stopped seeing me as the nagging one,i still discipline him when he does something but because i am not jumping on him all the time,he does not fight me as more.
hope that helped
I haven't dealt with defiance at this level, but I definately noticed a decrease in oppositional behavior after my son had been taking Omega-3 supplements for 3 months. This affects the mood. He is cooperative now, I really get minimal defiance from him, even less than your average 7 yo. I would also suggest that you take a close look at the Marble System thread. He is the perfect age for this reward system, and I had great luck with it also.Hi and welcome. Our ADHD kids need extra support with organization. Unfortunately, that's just the way it is. We have lists posted in their rooms for the morning checklist, and evening checklist. Perhaps your son needs some kind of organizational system for his backpack, also. My dd also gets organizational help at school. She has a checklist pasted to her "go" folder of everything she needs to put in it before leaving school. Also, creating a behavior modification system based on completing certain tasks daily will help with the oppositional attitude. Reward him for doing things right. Minimize criticism as much as you can. Your son may be organizationally challenged for the rest of his life and no amount of punishment will help. My husband is still completely disorganized and he will never change, believe me, I've tried! Just try to give your son the tools he will need to manage his disorganization. That's all you can do. Good luck to you, keep us posted!I hear you and I did notice when my daughter was on meds it did help control the ODD symptoms maybe it has to do with the right med I do not know. ODD is tough I curse it daily for I can live with adhd but this is over the top at times. Our psychologist gave us a behavior plan if you are seeing one he can maybe give you ideas or if you wish to PM me I can share what I am doing that our psychologist gave us to do. Being a single mom is hard too. Sorry I could not have been too much help.