Hello, I was online looking for some type of guidance as well. I came across your posting. I know exactly what you are going through. My son, Kenny is 12 and I am going through the exact same things. He is also taking Concerta. Although the teachers say they see a slight difference, his lying and behavior issues are still there. Sometimes I feel as if his behaviors are manipulative. I was looking into possibly sending him to some type of summer camp for children with ADHD who have behavioral problems. So far, everything I have seen are very expensive. Please keep me posted on what type of help you get.

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Hello Kevin's Mom & Rosa:

Thank you for sharing your experiences with the ADDitude forum. I know a lot of parents face the same challenges that you do re: helping your children learn to focus and control their impulses in the classroom. Here are a few popular ADDitude articles that might shed a little light on possible solutions... Also, it's worth mentioning that if, after an evaluation, the school decides your child doesn't need special ed (but you disagree), for example, you're entitled to appeal your case in a "due-process" hearing - a legal proceeding that often requires legal representation for the family, testimony from independent experts, and a review of meeting transcripts, test scores, and other documents. That may be an option for Kevin...

A Parent's Guide to ADHD School Accommodations: http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/749.html

The Daily Report Card: Tracking School Progress for Children with ADHD or Learning Disabilities: http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/940.html

Helping ADHD Children with Impulse Control: Smart Discipline: http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/1037.html

Does Your Child with ADHD Disrupt the Classroom?: http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/1973.html

Problems with Lying: http://www.additudemag.com/q&a/ask_the_parenting_expert/1394.html

Helping Kids Who Hit: http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/763.html

Homeschooling the AD/HD Child: http://www.additudemag.com/q&a/ask_the_learning_expert/1406.html

I hope these help!

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Hi, I too am having the same trouble with the manipulative behavior. My son is 6 and on Concerta 54 mg. He went through the testing process and scored above avarage also. I pushed for occupational therapy. He now has the option to go to the resource room to burn off some steam when he's misbehaving and the school is very helpfull with getting the school psychologist to see him weekly to continue with working on a program to benefit him, but it's still hard. I took him to the Dr. and she reccomends maybee a switch to VYVANSE. Anyone know anything about this drug. I was thinking about trying Strattera, something to cut down on the side effects. I'm not sure about his speedy behavior on the stimulants. He is paranoid, scared of loud noises, and all rounded skittery alot, besides the loss of appetite and sleeplessness. Any ideas from moms with experience?

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I encourage you to check out the resources on my site at www.phinsights.com/adhd.html

Schools are stressful environments and sensitive children can become impulsive and aggressive or shy and withdrawn in reaction to stress. Teaching children healthy ways to cope with stress and giving them optimal nutrition to help their body handle stress is helpful. Sometimes you need to just get them out of the dysfunctional environment, so homeschooling or progressive private schooling (some parochial schools, Waldorf schools, Montessori schools, etc.) may be explored.

As to the medications, they suppress symptoms but in doing so tend to compound problems... we need to stop teaching our children to use drugs to control their mind and emotions, they need to learn healthy eating and stress management skills. If you look at long-term medicine effects it's clear from what I've seen that they are leading to impairment rather than sustaining any apparent short-term benefits. I recommend finding professionals/physicians who support drug-free approaches and help you if you wish to wean your child off drug therapies. Abruptly stopping can lead to withdrawal periods of aggravated symptoms and behavior, but that's more the fault of the medications and the way they impair the normal functioning of the nervous system than the fault of the underlying condition. The system has to go OUT of balance to accommodate the medicine in the system, so once you stop the medicine the system will have to make a shift to get into a real balance. That's why I recommend avoiding medication treatment approaches in the first place. Drug companies care about keeping the population chronically ill and dependent on their products, if there was something you could take short term that "cured" a condition it would be horrible for their business. Don't accept propaganda from salespeople in medicine or any other profession - find independent data and perspectives by researching on your own.

best wishes for all, Jed Shlackman, LMHC

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Well i would say this is a serious prblem in your son's case.I heard about concerdo and i have seen loot of under age guys taking it .I think you should get a advice from a medical practitioner for further updates as on web you will find different opinions everytime. I will pray for your son.

……………………………………. Kurt Stinson <a href="http://www.addictionrecovery.net/connecticut">Addiction Recovery Connecticut</a>

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We adopted our son when he was 4, he is 7 now. He has severe ADHD. We just started back to school in 2nd grade and it has been a nightmare. He was on 50 mg of Vyvanse over the summer but we increased quickly back to the 70 mg during the first week of school. He can be either a wonderful perfect model student or he can be totally out of control. Twice this week we had major behavior issues in school. Such as disrupting class by throwing objects, yelling out that he isn't going to do his work, calling people stupid. He also will totally eat his pencils and erasers. When the teacher put him in a secluded area he started jumping from desk to desk. Then he went back to his classroom door (this is a pod of classrooms) and started turning the lights on and off. She then had to physical remove him out of the area and then it got worse. When she tried to pick him up he hit her and kicked her.

I am at a total loss. He has always had problems but never ever to this extreme. We started seeing a Psychiatrist at the end of last year. We go to see her Wednesday and I hope she can give me some kind of insight or change medication. Otherwise, I believe the teacher and principal will try to get him send him off to another school.

Anyone else have these kinds of behavior problems in school. Where he can be perfect for a couple of days and then boom he is out of control. I have finally been able for him to identify what he is feeling on the inside. He told me that his heart is beating really fast during all of this. I wonder if it is some kind of anxiety. From what I read dr. don't like to diagnosis anxiety this young.

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