impulse control | ADHD Information

my son was diagnosed 2 yrs ago with ADHD and he is currently on Concerta 54 mg with a bumper dose of 10 mg of ritalin.  He did really well in school this year in part b/c he had an awesome teacher.  But we are having a horrible summer with him constantly taking things that don't belong to him or taking things after he has been told no - we have tried all kinds of punishment with the most severe being taking everything out of his room except for his bed and clothing and this behavior still continues.  my daughter who doesn't have ADHD was grounded and her behavior changed - my son - nothing phases him.  i am so frustrated and don't know where to turn - do we talk to physician about med change or is he just stubborn that stubborn??  Any advice, help of any kind out be greatly appreciated - Our son takes clonidine for tics but i have noticed that his anger and impulsiveness are better on the clonidine.  Tenex is another one that could help.  They are blood pressure meds for adults but work differently on kids.  I found a good article on a study of using stimulants with clonidine.  Try to google the two together and see if you can find some info.  Our reg dr wouldn't perscribe clonidine cause he doesn't know much about it but the pediatric neurologist did. 

What time of day are you seeing the behaviors occur?  If they are while they still are in his system, then a meds adjustment might be in order.  It's hard to say whether it's ADHD or testing.

I know you're frustrated, as you should be!  If it is ADHD related, remember that punishments won't change impulsivity.  The definition of impulsivity is acting without thinking.  Fear of any consequence won't change an impulsive act.

Do you think he needs to have an increase in his concerta, to 72mgs maybe? Just a thought?!

It sounds like impulse control that he is having trouble with.

I would call the doctor and discuss an increase, just my opinion.

My son is 12 and at 90mgs of concerta and 1 mg of tenex. I did think he needed an increase before school starts in the fall due to his attention and the meds not seeming that they were helping him 100%, but the summer has been fine. So I am waiting to see how he does at school.

This year is going to be a bear as far as studies go. I am dreading it more than him!!

Is your son taking things from family members that don't belong to him or from friends or from stores?  While there isn't much of a difference in why he might be doing this, there is a difference in how to handle it.

I had a shoplifting problem until my late 20s.  I also used to take things from my older sister because I wanted to be like her.  I don't think any amount of punishment could have prevented me from engaging in these behaviors.  It wasn't until I went through some intense therapy that I found the root causes and the behavior then stopped all on its own.  Of course, I was a young adult by that point and kids don't always have the vocabulary to express themselves.  It's a challenge.  I can't tell you how many "lectures" I had.  I knew what I was doing was wrong (as a kid) but I couldn't explain why I was doing it.  Therapy helped to put it all together.

Kids will steal things because they are seeking attention.  They may steal things without thinking of the consequences but they wouldn't steal if they weren't seeking attention.  I know this because I am also ADHD - impulsivity could have been my middle name. The key for parents is then to find out why their child is seeking attention and try to resolve that.

Medication does help with impulse control but kids over the age of 5 know that taking what doesn't belong to them is wrong.  Medication alone isn't going to stop kids from taking things. You could pump your kid up with meds till he's a zombie and he'll still take stuff.  Psycho-therapy is what's needed.