violent behavior with adhd, anyone else? | ADHD Information

There are no special schools in the area that he qualifies for (because he's not developmentaly or physically challenged, there are no mental health agencies or disability agencies in our area, I just happened to be in a valley where there are no mental health agencies for children. The county has contracted there childrens services with a company called Turning Point but they are doing all they can as far as couciling and treatment, it's really the schools that don't have what he needs and are not making any special moves to make it happen. They'd rather move in to residential treatment, which his psyc said would be overtreating him and more damage than help, than make a classroom and hire a teacher specializing in his needs. I have considered moving to Ukiah, Ca, which has all the services he needs including the daytreatment program but I just don't have the financial means to do so. Believe me I would love to move out of this county. The only residential treatment for my son would be located AT LEAST 500 miles away. My son's councilor is hoping that with this going to state level that we'll pioneer the way for all the children who are having the same problem with schools in this area, as much as I would like to help other children and parents I don't know if I'm ready for this kind of fight. Our whole livelyhood rest squarely on me and if I loose my job, which has been the norm for the last 8 years, than I'll have nothing. Thanks for the support and advise.

Has your son had a Functional Behavior Assessment by a certified behavior specialist.

Wouldn't it just be easier to move, and make the move based on the school district?

My son is 11 almost 12, he was diagnosed with ADHD, bipolar disorder, ocd, intermitent explosive disorder when he was 4. We have been having trouble with Jake in a classroom environment, special ed or general ed. When he gets overstimulated and stressed( he has trouble with reading and writing and has not advance passed a third grade reading and math level) he explodes into violent behaviors, throwing books and chairs, hitting, kicking, spitting, just about anything he can to get himself removed from the environment or activity that has stressed him out. We've had some success with medication but not 100%. Jake only has these episodes in school anymore and the nueropsycologist that the mental health services sent him to for testing said that this violent behavior is common in boys with Jakes type of adhd. We moved to a new town and they don't have speacial day classes or any kind of special accomidations for him, our area does not have day treatment or advocacy groups or anything. The school has decided that they cannot provide my son with an education and want to place him in residential treatment or non public school, which his treating psyciatrist is totally against, least restictive environment and all, he says we need a day treatment facility.  Jake has been in an alternative placement program (home hospital) since the begining of the school year and has been provided with only an hour of tutoring a day which the school claims is all they have to legally provide and all they're going to. Jake is doing great now but is not learning much and the school refuses to let him back on a campus no matter how much I ask, complain, threaten or beg.  His behavioral councilor has advised us that we are about to hit a state level arguement with this situation with the school, as the county mental health programs who are treating him (under ab3632) do not have the proper facilities or staff to provide day treatment. We're going to be taking on the school dist and the county. I'm a single parent and I'm not ready for this and am totally afraid of failing my son. His dad is helping but only recently and doesn't really know what he's getting into. Anyway I guess what I really want to know is if there are any other parents out there who have children with adhd who also display the violent behaviors when stressed. My son also has a half sister, same dad different mom, who is going through the same thing in another town. I need some advise and help with advocacy and lawyer if possible also. We live in Exeter California. Please if you have any stories, advise or can just share expierences with me. I feel like the only parent dealing with this. Thanks.    Lower frustration levels are part of ADHD but to me the episodes your son is experiencing sound like the intermittent explosive disorder not the ADHD.  Your poor son has a lot going on for a young pre-teen.  Do they have any special schools in your area?  Where I live they have a couple of schools  to work with kids that have special needs like your sons and they do have residentials too.  So if they had the schools for you he can go to one of them like a regular school then come home by bus.

     As for the legal issues do you have any learning disability agencies or mental health agencies near you?  If so make a few calls to them for advice and they can lead you in the right direction.  I wish I can help you more if you lived closer to me I could.  Good Luck Jill

My son is 7 and he also has ADHD, Bipolar w/Depression, OCD, and Intermitten Explosive Disorder, Along with PANDAS (Para Auto Immune Neaurological Disorder Associated w/ Streptocaucos

He mainly has these episodes your talking about which is what I call them too at home, but a few times has had them at school.

They kicked him out the other day for one of his episodes but he is able to return tomorrow only because they know I am changing him to a new DR.

So far they have not said that they can't work with him.  They are trying not to put him in the ED catagory for now.

I don't have much advise but I just wanted to let you know I promise your not the only parent out there going through this.

My posts are In Desperate Need Of Help and Kicked Out Of School. I too am a single mother.

Your son sounds simular to mine as far as their episodes. Good Luck to you and here's a hug.

There would probably be more services available in Visalia.  Check out this link:   Call them and tell them you are needing legal advice about  the educational rights of a special needs child and see what they come up with.  Ask them about info on parent advocates in the local area.  Be nice but firm and don't let them blow you off.  If they say you don't live in their service area, ask them what your options are.  Good luck!

Okiemom

ms.mom39098.9106597222

Hi Jen,

Hugs to you as you struggle with this.  You need legal help.  Try to see what resources you can find at www.copaa.org  or www.wrightslaw.com .  Hang in there. Don't give up.

Okiemom

Jenjakesmom, Wow you sure do have your hands full.  I don't have any advice for you other than keep up the fight....I think looking into an advocate or a lawyer are both good ideas.

good luck  

My son is 5. And I have dealt with and continue to deal with some of the thigs you guys have mentioned. My son has what i call "episodes" too. He doesn't have them so much at home now. But unfortunately, that is only because we became so stressed out by his behaviour that we have become overagressive and angry with him ourselves. He hits, yells, when grounded to his room (constantly just so we can keep everyone under control)...goes berzerk, trying to kick his door down, breaking toys, banging his window and now starting to escape from it. I cry myself to sleep almost every night now. I feel like I am in hell, most of the time. LOL Man, I am not being encouraging am I. I'm sorry. I just came to grips with the fact that my son is not okay and does have problems (those close to me don't think so). But have not taken any of the steps you have to help your son, yet. I commend you on all you've done. I am not a single mother. Hats off to you for all you HAVED done for him. I will pray for you and your son and all who are involved in his well being. Hang in there...and surround yourself with only positive thinkers and those who will support you.

Thank you ladies for all the links, I'm hoping to check them out before the IEP on thursday. One good piece of news though I finally got an advocate to help us. He's from an orginization out of Fresno called Area 8 board. The only thing I'm really having a problem with is that he's so busy and needed that he's constantly scheduling and rescheduling appointments with me, but at least I've got him pinned down for the iep. I'll post the results.

I have a feeling though that this is going to call for a lawyer.

Thanks again for all the help.

Hi Jennifer, I understand how you feel and exactly what you are going through.  My son is five and he is also aggessive towards teachers and other kids.  He is now in a therapeeutic school with just two other kids in the class room and still nothing is helping.  He's been on a few different meds, currently Conserta and abilify.  Still nothing is helping.  Now, they are talking about hospitalization.  It's very hard for me as I am a single mom and I've done everything I can.  I cry day and night because I can't seem to understand what is wrong with my son.  Did I mention that now they believe he has a mood disorder w/ adhd but more of mood disorder.  He get so angry ay times I don't know why.  He' s now hitting me back and telling me he hate me and I'm not his mom he wants a new mom.  It is so hard I need someone who is going to REALLY help me.

Make sure you also into extended year for the summer.  YOur district should pay for summer programs that are for kids like him.  They are basically sleep away camps but have the resources to work with him and they are also good for social skills.

My son also has anger issues, but not to that degree.  But he will hit us when he is very angry. 

Well ladies the IEP went just about how I thought it would, the advocate walked in and asked a few questions about what the school has done to impliment recomendations from the Diagnostic Center and stated that he didn't feel the school has exauhsted all of their resources to educate my son. The superindendant of the school district asked him to write down all his questions and then called a recess, when she came back she had the district lawyer with her and the lawyer said the district would not answer any of his questions that he could request the cum files and find the anwers himself and basically put a halt to the whole meeting.  Wow. The advocate told us that we are probably going to have to file complaints with the school board and move this to a due process hearing.  Man what a challenge! I'm hoping to get in contact with some of the parents in our school district who are having the same problems so we can make a joint effort to get the schools to comply with the education laws for special ed children also to see if we can get The Govinator to look at our area and maybe put some more money here for the mental health needs of the Valley children. Anyone in the valley interested please let me know. Every voice is needed.

My son went through the same situation. He was kicked out of 3 daycares prior to elementary school. When he started Kindergaten, the problems only got worse. He was tested in 1st grade and placed in a special class but after 1 yr. they were no longer able to handle him. He was put in the "hospital home schooling" for 2nd & 3rd grade. He did ok because he was home but was only w/a teacher for 2hrs a day 2 days a week. This of coarse could not go on forever but we knew that he was not able to attend a regular school even in "special" classes. The teacher who was teaching him at home referred us to a school that specialized in aggressive children and after being interviewed he was accepted into this school.  The Dade County school system never mentioned this option to us. They just didnt want to deal w/him. There are only 10-12 kids per class w/a teacher and an aide. They are qualified to restrain the children if need be but luckily my son has not had to be restrained. He is not perfect by any means but the teachers and therapists are great and they "work w/the kids"! That is the problem w/the other schools, they don't want to deal w/"kids like ours"! It is very frustrating and it hurts as well!  Try to find out if there is a school like this in your area, it might be your answer! What ever you do, DONT GIVE UP!!!!!     

kpons39104.3990046296

Good job Jenjakesmom

You are to be commended! You are fighting a tough battle, however, with an advocate who knows the laws, the school is in for a tough one!

Hang in there! And keep us posted!