Questions :) | ADHD Information

My sons tantrums are off the wall sometimes and from what I have been
reading here - it seems kinda normal for people with adhd. He is 5 now. I
have learned how to deal with him most effectivelly but my husband has a
tendence to 'feed' the tantrums by how he reacts.

Last night I was at my parents house - and my son was tired (when I just
know his behaviour accelerate) and he had a complete meltdown becauas
emy husband was trying to get him to put his shoes on and my son
wanted ME to do it. So he goes all hysterical - crying -- and all that. But
when he gets like this he get SO upset that he thinks he cant get up. He
will tell me 'his legs keep knocking him down' and he 'cant walk' - even
though he can I think he really believes he cant.

And later, when he is more calm, I will sit him on my lap and try to talk to
him. We talk about consequences for his actions and behaviors - When I
tell him his consequence he seems to what I just said and can't
understand me - and then he will just say the most 'of the wall' things
that dont make any sense and I dont know how to respond (cant think of
the examples, sorry).

But he does understand - because much much later on he is back to
normal and doing exactly as told without questions.

Are these things related to the ADHD ( he is diagnosed with combined
type but mostly in the borderline range, I think.

I know I have been dealing with him all these years and I knew hew was
different even when he was one year old and had a difficult time with eye
contact. I knew I had always had trouble with him and discipline but when
I had my second child (and she was so normal) I had to compare the
differences. My son was just diagnosed a few weeks ago. He also has
phonoligical disorder (or something like that - an articulation disorder)
and has speech therapy. His hearing was tested the other day and his ear
drums worked fine but he couldnt hear lower decibles enough to
recognise what it was saying. I haven't heard from his pediatrician on that
one yet.

Okay I think Im writing a book. Sorry! :)

Wendi

Wendi,

When giving directions to you son,  try asking your son to repeat back the directions.... say to him" you what did you hear"?  This should help if he is having hearing or processing difficulties.

I am not an expert on behavior issues but many kids with ADHD also have behavior difficulties....and some have the additional label of ODD..Oppositional Defiant Disorder...

 I would keep a journal to identify the ABC's of the behavior..that is the Antecedent ( what happened before), the Behavior, and the Consequence.  This type of info is valuable to in determining why the behavior is occuring  and the triggers. Having data like this might help your husband parent you child.

Take a look at the marble system and see it that can help ...perhaps your son could earn some marbles for showing flexability with his Dad.

BTW...I know lots of kids without ADHD who sometimes act similar to your son...

joemom39188.3944791667Thanks for your tips

Yes I often ask him to repeat what I said - and find he can hear, he jsut
wasnt listening. It has helped to try and make sure he has eye contact
with me when I am talking to him which is difficult sometimes.

I will check out the marble system. It looks interesting - I have read
reference to it before on the board I just havent yet looked into it.

My husband mentioned last night about journaling my sons behaviors.
Right now he doesnt have a job (yea...) - But it worked out anyway cause
my son broke his collar bone on Easter and we dont want him going too
many places until he heals.