Trigger behaviors vs impulsive behaviors | ADHD Information

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Ok, I am so confused...I had posted earlier that my ds has adhd,
hyperactive...we have been trying 18 mg of Concerta. Last week he had
two days that he was frustrated by a girl who budged in line in front of
him and a girl that told him his drawing "sucked". He pushed the first girl
and hit the second (not hard).

I called my behavioral pediatrician, she wants to keep his meds the same
as she says that medication doesn't help "triggered behavior"??? just
impulsive. My question is that he doesn't seem to have the ability to just
walk away, he impulsively acts on his frustration physically??? I am so
confused....Does any of this make sense to you all???

Yes!!!!  My son has the same issue.  You need to do some role play with appropriate reactions.  When he reacts, it is called the moment of choice.  He is the one who can make the choice on how to react.  Discuss how these girls annoy him.  Agree with his feelings of frustrion.  He needs to however react differently because this isn't working - he's getting into trouble.  My son is 14 very tiny.  I have told him how as an adult I can't go around running people over because thy walk in front of my car.  He needs a replacement behaviour.  Stock answers, counting to ten, close his eyes and imagine that she has a horse's head!!!!  What ever works.  Stress ball or a power stone  ( a "precious" small stone"  in his pocket - Something that he can squeeze, to redirect his anger.  He needs to practice this with you or someone else so he can be prepared for the situation.  Make sure you discuss this with the teacher.  I am unsure of his age, but this girl needs to understand also that she was wrong.  The teacher could then watch the kids, even get them to do some role play in class about feelings. If lines are a problem, then your child needs to be either at the beginning or end of the line  - important job given by the teacher!!!

 

I have been trying to do the STAR program with my son (age 6).  We had an incident with another behavioral child at the beginning of the year and they both got sent to the vice principal and I got a phone call.  For my son the behavior was likely copying as he is not generally aggressive, but because he has such impulse control problems I immediately started this with him.

STAR stands for STOP. THINK. ACT. REVIEW.  I continually go over this with him with everything he is doing.  We talk about any situations he has been in and what his choices are and what would be good choices to make in those situations.  This can take some time.  And for me and my son he is much better at being able to tell me the good choices when we talk about it later than in the moment, but I am hoping that as he continues to practice this skill he will get better at using it in the moment.  Hope this helps.

How old is your son?

Depending on his age, hitting when provoked is "developmentally appropriate," even if it's not acceptable behavior. 

Role playing is a great way to teach appropriate ways to react in these situations.  But also keep in mind the maturity lag of the ADHD child in your expectations of his behavior.

 

Dont complain.  I have been trying to get my son to stand up for himself.  Bet those kids wont pick on him in the future or butt in line in front of him again. My son would have just taken it and then cried later.