Short of a time out - to cool off, not as a punishment, I do not know. I went through that as well. At one time the kids were on ritalin, and all was well until it wore off for the day. Yikes! Have you considered Omega 3 fish oil? You can get the liquid at some health food stores now, instead of large capsules. Good Luck. elizabeth

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We often have problems with suggesting or trying to implement a time out or cool down period, as this often escalates things... Currently he is on Adderall XR, which I think has at times made his behavior worse, though at school it has helped tremendously with attention - he never had any behavior problems at school thankfully. However, because of increased aggression and emotional volatility at home, I think we are going to try another med, probably Metadate CD.

I do give him a kids multivitamin and kids gummy Omega 3 vitamins daily. I just got the only kid brand of Omega 3s that CVS carries, but I have read somewhere that the EPA content is what might be helpful with ADHD. Is anyone using a specific brand of Omega 3s that they find to be the most helpful?

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After considerable research, we decided on Omega Brite. http://www.omegabrite.com/ Unfortunately, quality always comes at a price.

My 12 yo took it until his protests became too much for me. He hated the guaranteed single fishy burp that came an hour or so after each capsule (adult version). I'm not sure if the kid version would eliminate this or not. I continue to take it and have never been bothered by the burp.

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Hi,

In answer to your question about quality brands of omega-3 supplements, the best I've found so far is Nature Made Heart & Stress Defense. The downsides are that they are large capsules and for me they've caused the notorious "fish burps". I've found these small prices to pay for the quality of the product, though. For a fish oil supplement sold by major retail chains (without having to order online), at 5:1, it's got the highest ratio of EPA to DHA I've found. It actually has seemed to be more effective for me, as an adult with ADHD, than lower priced fish oil supplements with lower EPA:DHA ratios. If the capsule size is a problem for your little boy, perhaps you could squeeze the contents into a spoonful of his favorite pudding, yogurt, or other soft treat to make it go down easier. There are other brands out there with ratios of as high as 7:1 that I've heard of, but they're difficult to find and much more expensive than the Nature Made. I buy it at Walgreens for $15 per bottle of 60 liquid gelcaps. You can buy it online a little cheaper if you're willing to wait for shipping. I know Amazon and Drugstore.com both carry it.

As for the impulsivity, I have a suggestion that may or may not be helpful for your son, so take it with a grain of salt. It works for me personally, as well as several hyperactive children I've cared for over the years. It's a breathing exercise that is actually more for focus than controlling impulse, but it does have a very calming effect. Have your son focus on your face (if possible) and tell him to take in a breath as deep as he possibly can, then hold it for a count of 5. Have him let the breath out slowly and deliberately, again to the count of 5. Another super deep breath in and hold it to the count of 7 this time. Again, out slowly to the count of 7. One more deep deep breath in, hold it to the count of 10 and let it out to the count of 10. I've found it to be more effective to make a sound while exhaling through pursed lips - kind of like blowing out a stubborn candle that doesn't want to go out. Like I said, this has helped a number of kids I've worked with as well as myself. I hope it helps your son, too.

Best of luck, Jennifer

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Reading your story reminds me of our own situation in many ways. I would like to share a website for www.celebratecalm.com by Kirk Martin. This is a nationally known speaker and Father of a child who was diagnosed with ADHD many years ago. He provides free seminars and information on how our kids brains are wired and why they manifest some of these behaviors. He has CDs to help parents, teachers and students see these children from a different angle. I went to his seminar and picked up some good tips. It has changed my relationship with my son for the better. It also helped understand why the behaviors happen and what we as parents can do to help alleviate some of it without medications. After hearing him, I bought his CDs and they truly put things in a different light. Very helpful for teachers, IEPS behavioral plans at school. He emphasizes on using your child's gifts to overcome their weaknesses. Hope it helps.

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The Shaklee company has been making vitamins and natural cleaners for more than 50 years. (Way before it was fashionable). First company in the world to become a 0 carbon footprint... These fish oil "chews" for kids are fabulous. My grand-daughter is 21 months old and considers them a treat. They are wrapped individually in foil like some coveted piece of candy. She loves them. My daughter-inlaw breaks or tears it in half and our toddler can easily handle it with the teeth that she has. Total Omega-3 Fatty Acids 125 mg DHA 100 mg. Fruit and veg. juice extract 50mg. The non-toxic cleaners may help your adhd child too. Sally srs4748@aol.com

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My 8 year old son began Adderall and Ritalin a year and a half ago. I had already been giving him Lil Critters Omega Fish at the normal dose until reading that Omega-3 may be helpful for his ADD. After checking with the doctor, he gets 3 fish in the morning and 2 at night. He does complain about the fish burps but not so much as to refuse to take them. Good luck.

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My son is 14 and was diagnosed with ADHD at 12. He is on Strattera. It doesn't seem to be working. He yells and argues with his father and I all the time--basically every minute. The other day he said Goodbye to his father and I at 8am and headed out to the bus like normal -or so we thought he did! He decided he was going to walk the 6 miles to school in 11 degree weather with snow and ice on the ground. The school did not call us to tell us he didn't get on the bus. It is mandatory for the school to be notified if a child will not be attending for whatever reason. I assumed our son got on the bus like normal. Around 10:30 he was 3 miles from school and one of the teachers that was running errands found him on the highway walking and drove him to the school and dropped him off. They called us to tell us what he did (he told them the deception he pulled on us by making us think he was getting on the bus like normal) . They told us he is a liability to the school and extremely impulsive. He has been kicked out of schools before. We were so worried about what he did and we confronted him and he told us "it was no big deal" and "what is our problem" for being so upset!!!!! He never takes responsibility for anything! The school has decided to give him mandatory detention-he is so mad because he had a basketball game that day. We have tried everything! Has anyone had to send their child to a Therapeutic Residential Treatment Program? And if so can anyone recommend one for us. Thank You so much

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Hi, I so know where you are coming from. We have our eldest son who is 9 on Dex and Clonidine, which has stopped the behavioural ticks (what I call them) that people tend to look at as abnormal. He has been on these meds since August but we find that in the afternoon he would go all hyper so we now give him some meds at lunch which certainly has helped. Anyhow when he wants to do something and is told other wise he will revert to that little 4year old who stamps his feet and throws a tanny to get what he wants. Yes it is embarrassing in public but I say to myself thats just him being him. What I tend to do is tell him time slots as in remind him that we only have certain times to do things and constantly tell him how long it is we have left along with having to tell him exactly where we are going and what we doing there cos if we go off course we have the same behaviour sometimes worse. Which all of you know is a hard thing to do. we also give him a little stress ball or something for his hands to do along with something to squeeze when he feels this anger/frustration appear. Breathing techniques are good for both you and him. I agree that the anger build up is worse with him but at least now he's not giving his younger bloody noses often. He is more defiant than ever now but if I stay calm and switch off all emotion he reacts better and the moment isn't as stretched out as when I show how upset it is making me. This takes its toll on you as a parent though and hurts me each time. My thing is like you where I have another son who is nearly 7 and like you said my eldest sets the tone in the house but as he is getting older my youngest is standing back and saying 'hang on a minute this isn't right' and he may copy alot of the behaviours his older brother does but he is now socially and emotionally more mature than him which is a conflict with both of them at the moment.

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It sounds like you need an IEP or a 504 plan, schools cannot simply throw your child out when he has a medical condition! There are laws to protect this. These plans also help develop a "plan" to deal with ongoing problems. My son has had an IEP since he was 3 (our school had a preschool), it has really helped him stay on track. The school should not be so willing to give up on him. Good luck!

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Our 12year old son just came out of behvavioral hospital for his out of control impulsivity. He has been spriraling big time out of control for the last three months. He hyperfocus in addition to his ADHD/ODD, OCD, and more. What we have been doing that seems to help is time management. Set a timer that has a loud ding and immediately follow through on what ever it was going to be the reward for accomplishing the task. Playing without crying, hitting, or yelling with siblings for ten minutes, start out small in time increments. The reward would be something like going to bed ten minutes after his siblings or he and I would take a ten minute run/walk together. So, far it is working. I see where we will have to change the ding maybe another timer with a different sound. It is hard. Everyday is a new day it seems like. As if you have to reinvent the wheel again. You are not alone. Hang in there and keep asking for help. Stay close as a couple too. Do not turn on each other as your kids will make you think differently. Peace be with you.

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We are so frustrated we have had our 6 year old son on Wellbutrin for 9 months and he was doing well and our home was finally starting to feel normal and all of a sudden Wellbutrin is not working. Our son is hitting again in school, shutting down when things do not go his way and can get completely violent when you try to follow though and put him in time out bc he is being non compliant. He is VERY bright and has it ALL figured out which gets worse when he is not stable. We have tried EVERYTHING, therapy, doctors, more doctors and more therapy. We have tried so many medications and the Wellbutrin (DAW) was finally the one that was our saving grace and now it is over and we are back to square one. It is so hard for people to understand how hard this is on a family. It takes a toll on everyone. I feel like sometimes I am hiding a deep dark secret and when our son acts up and others are around they will not want to spend time with us. Looking for support and those that truly understand where we are coming from.

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Our son is finishing up at a great therapeutic boarding school, Cherokee Creek Boy School, in Westminster, S.C. It has completely turned our son around. It was the hardest decision we've ever made, but also the best one. The school serves younger boys 5th - 9th grade with a low profile, i.e., no trouble with the law, violence, etc. Many of the boys have ADHD, mild Asperger's, adoption issues, or are dealing with divorce or death of a parent. Our son was one of the older boys, which has served him well in taking on leadership roles without having all the negative influences of being with older, troubled boys. The staff hits just the right balance of firm, but warm. Consistency, natural consequences, and logical consequences are their main tools. Everything they do is intentional. I can't praise them enough. I wish you the best.

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My almost 9 yr old daughter has a lot of the same behaviors. What we find kind of works is modeling and coaching. BEFORE we go to a museum or store or party, etc., we sit down and list what is expected of her. For example: "We are going to Target. We will not go to the toy aisle. We will not be buying candy. If you have a tantrum or scream at any point in the store, we will leave immediately. If you choose good behavior, then on our way out, we can get a slush & popcorn." Or for a party: "Here is what is expected out of you. You will not have a tantrum if the birthday girl sits with someone else. You will not have a tantrum if your gift is not opened first. You will be remember to smile and not pout when you don't get your way. You will wait your turn. If you feel like you're getting upset, you will walk away and do yoga breaths." Another thing we do is "yoga breaths" - or whatever name you want to call them. Eyes closed, deep belly breaths to calm down. When my daughter is frustrated/disappointed she goes into a growl-scream. We work on recognizing the first signs and use our "code word" - yoga breaths - to bring it back down. Lots of role playing at home - presenting difficult situations and how to get through them without meltdowns. She periodically sees a child psychologist who has wonderful, on level ways of helping kids help themselves get out of meltdowns. My daughter was also on Metadate CD & we loved it. She can now swallow pills, so we just switched to Concentra which lasts about 12 hours and is amazing! From a parenting standpoint, the negatives of adhd are enough to make you crazy! My mantra when these pop up is "it's just the adhd, it's just the adhd." Remembering that the negative behavior mostly stems from a misfire in the brain, and not purposefully from the child really helps in controlling that parental anger that can crop up. Best of luck to your family!

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I feel for all of you. My is 8 years old and we have been struggling with his ADHD for 2 years now. I can relate to all the replys. My son takes ritalin 3 times a day, I've seen a dietician to eliminate the foods that trigger ADHD, we see a psychologist every other week (for my son and for us), he takes omega 3 with zinc, having a routine really helps, having a great teacher helps...Positive reinforcement is the key. It's easy to say but very hard at times for me too. I wish there were some easy solutions and answers but unfortunately WE all have to live with it.

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Lori AS. said: We are so frustrated we have had our 6 year old son on Wellbutrin for 9 months and he was doing well and our home was finally starting to feel normal and all of a sudden Wellbutrin is not working. Our son is hitting again in school, shutting down when things do not go his way and can get completely violent when you try to follow though and put him in time out bc he is being non compliant. He is VERY bright and has it ALL figured out which gets worse when he is not stable. We have tried EVERYTHING, therapy, doctors, more doctors and more therapy. We have tried so many medications and the Wellbutrin (DAW) was finally the one that was our saving grace and now it is over and we are back to square one. It is so hard for people to understand how hard this is on a family. It takes a toll on everyone. I feel like sometimes I am hiding a deep dark secret and when our son acts up and others are around they will not want to spend time with us. Looking for support and those that truly understand where we are coming from.

We feel the same way. Our son has not taken any meds. His problems are anger, low frustration tolerance, aggression, impulsivity, lack of responsibility, everything is someone elses fault, oppositional, lacks self control he hits his sister and yells and argues with such anger when things don't go his way. Our son is 11 years old. I'm looking for someone to talk to on a regular basis, a friend who understands what we are going through as a family. It is difficult to find friends who understand. He has been to 2 therapists in the last 4 years. Nothing helps. It is so frustrating. We are afraid of what the teen years will be like and what his future will be like. He too is brilliant. He has a fantastic imagination and is great with younger children. He plays with his younger cousins all the time (ages 4, 5, 6) He tells them to share, calm done, don't yell etc, but can't seem to take his own advise. If you'd like to talk via e-mail I assume we could arrange to exchange e-mail addresses. Please respond on this forum and we can figure out how to exchange e-mail addresses.

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I have found 2 great ones. They r both at the Whole Food Store and in the kids vitamin section. Ask for help One comes in little packets like catchup. I cannot remeber the name but it comes in lemon lime and chocolate orange. My son was not crazy about it but I know alot of kids love it. The 2nd is I think Nordic Natural. It is a kids omega in a starwberry capsule. They r nice and small. Neither of these Omegas cause the awful burp. My husband does not complain about the adult version either.

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I have found 2 great ones. They r both at the Whole Food Store and in the kids vitamin section. Ask for help One comes in little packets like catchup. I cannot remeber the name but it comes in lemon lime and chocolate orange. My son was not crazy about it but I know alot of kids love it. The 2nd is I think Nordic Natural. It is a kids omega in a starwberry capsule. They r nice and small. Neither of these Omegas cause the awful burp. My husband does not complain about the adult version either.

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I have found 2 great ones. They r both at the Whole Food Store and in the kids vitamin section. Ask for help One comes in little packets like catchup. I cannot remeber the name but it comes in lemon lime and chocolate orange. My son was not crazy about it but I know alot of kids love it. The 2nd is I think Nordic Natural. It is a kids omega in a starwberry capsule. They r nice and small. Neither of these Omegas cause the awful burp. My husband does not complain about the adult version either.

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Reading your post, Marie, I felt like you were writing about MY son! He's 13, and you stated his personality and behaviors exactly! It makes me wonder how many others can be so closely described in this way, and if they have had any treatment successes.

I would be willing to share with you. I added you to my buddy list on this forum, and I'll send you a private message through that venue. Lyn

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Marie NY said:

We feel the same way. Our son has not taken any meds. His problems are anger, low frustration tolerance, aggression, impulsivity, lack of responsibility, everything is someone elses fault, oppositional, lacks self control he hits his sister and yells and argues with such anger when things don't go his way. Our son is 11 years old. I'm looking for someone to talk to on a regular basis, a friend who understands what we are going through as a family. It is difficult to find friends who understand. He has been to 2 therapists in the last 4 years. Nothing helps. It is so frustrating. We are afraid of what the teen years will be like and what his future will be like. He too is brilliant. He has a fantastic imagination and is great with younger children. He plays with his younger cousins all the time (ages 4, 5, 6) He tells them to share, calm done, don't yell etc, but can't seem to take his own advise. If you'd like to talk via e-mail I assume we could arrange to exchange e-mail addresses. Please respond on this forum and we can figure out how to exchange e-mail addresses.

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I felt like I was reading about my OWN son, Marie! He's 13 years old and has the same exact personality and behavioral patterns. I wonder how many others fit this symptomology and if any of them have found successful treatments or strategies.

I put you on my buddy list on this forum, and I will try sending you a private message with my e-mail address in case you're willing to talk some more about this. Lyn

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Marie NY said:

We feel the same way. Our son has not taken any meds. His problems are anger, low frustration tolerance, aggression, impulsivity, lack of responsibility, everything is someone elses fault, oppositional, lacks self control he hits his sister and yells and argues with such anger when things don't go his way. Our son is 11 years old. I'm looking for someone to talk to on a regular basis, a friend who understands what we are going through as a family. It is difficult to find friends who understand. He has been to 2 therapists in the last 4 years. Nothing helps. It is so frustrating. We are afraid of what the teen years will be like and what his future will be like. He too is brilliant. He has a fantastic imagination and is great with younger children. He plays with his younger cousins all the time (ages 4, 5, 6) He tells them to share, calm done, don't yell etc, but can't seem to take his own advise. If you'd like to talk via e-mail I assume we could arrange to exchange e-mail addresses. Please respond on this forum and we can figure out how to exchange e-mail addresses.

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Try the useful techniques found at How To Calm ADHD Children: http://www.add-treatment.com/calm-hyperactive-children.html

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I support you in finding residential treatment for your son, I know it can be a very hard choice to make but it could help him. When I was a senior in high school my parents chose to send me into [url="http://www.residentialtreatment411.com/residential-treatment/residential-treatment-for-adhd-and-odd.html"]residential treatment for ADHD[/url]. I was totally out of control whether I was in or out of the center and in home. but after a few months I did very well there with the structure and the discipline. The residential center I went to was part of a overlake hospital in Washington.

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Hi, I came upon this thread because I wanted to know about ADHD more. I've only learned about it just recently because my 9 year old son seems to have signs showing that he has this disorder. If worst comes to worst and he gets diagnosed with it, I might consider taking him to a residential treatment. It would be hard but I just want him to be feel good about himself again.

By the way Devilmaycry, I came upon that article you placed (although I wonder why the page is an error). I tried http://www.residentialtreatment411.com/residential-treatment/residential-treatment-for-adhd-and-odd.html and it worked, did you mean that page? I've read some good stuff there but I hope someone can still give me other resources that are as informative too. Thanks in advance!

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