My son hides food and lies about it. | ADHD Information

Okay here goes.  My step son is 10 and was diagnosed when he was 6 ADHD.  From time to time I have to search his room for food wrappers.  When I find them he says it was not him only they are in his closet, under his bed and pillow.  Has anyone else had this problem and what have you done?  We have taken his TV and video games you name it we have tried it.....HELP!1) Is he medicated? A lot of the medications kill a kid's appetite, and at
the end of the day it finally comes back, and the same kid who wouldn't
eat three chicken nuggets an hour before is hungry! My son's appetite
kicks in at about 7 at night and he usually eats twice after that - dinner
and then a big snack just before bed. Basically it's lunch and dinner
within an hour. Your step-son could be eating whatever he can grab
because he's starving!

2) It could be impulsivity. He just sees it and grabs it and doesn't even
think about it. That could also, to a degree, explain the lying. If that's
the case, then give him a second chance to answer, ("Are you sure?") and
don't get mad about the "lying" if he fesses up. It will help him learn to
control it, which can be amazingly difficult for ADHD kids.

3) As you know, restrictive discipline doesn't work. What works more
often with ADHD kids is to give them a goal. Make the rules explicit, and
keep repeating them. Executive skills (understanding and remembering
rules) problems are common with ADHD kids. Have him make the
standards (start with some leeway that is gradually pulled back in as he
gets better at controlling himself), have him help to come up with rewards
(and encourage non-monetary rewards, like getting to stay up past his
bedtime to watch a ballgame on TV with his dad), and remind him often
of his behavior standards and what he will get when he meets them. And
don't attach every fun thing to his behavior, just the extra special stuff
that he will want to work to earn. It shouldn't be like he's in a permanent
state of grounding, he should feel like he's understood and supported for
who he is and has an opportunity to improve himself.

Best of luck! Keep talking it definitely helps.

Is he medicated? If so, is he hungry when the meds wear off and this is when this happens?

If not, this could be impulsive behavior, adhd related.

Are there any food restrictions on him so he feels he has to do this? LIke he can't eat after a certain time or he really likes something but is limited, so he takes more because he wants them?

I was a candy sneak my childhood, not an adhd'er, but LOVED CANDY!! I was just a plain sneak. I would skip meals for candy, halloween was my favorite holiday. My parents still tease me every now and then about it!! I love candy, still do!!