My nephew is a special child that needs help.. We believe he needs to be on medication, but the doctors dont think he does. He has been kicked of day-cares schools, for bitting, choking, and just being violent to other kids. He doesn't speak well and should be reading by now. He is 6 years old and will be 7 in Jan.. Where can we find help?????
2006-09-13 16:53:05 · 12 answers · asked by LilStar_Mom_of_3 3 in Education & Reference ➔ Special Education
He has seen a psychologist, and they saw nothing wrong with him. his first year of school he was able to be placed in special-ed, but for some reason they put him in regular classes. My sister has talked to other doctors but they want an evaluation from the teachers he had last year and so faar this year. but it is to early for the new teacher and his other one can not be reached. So she is just stuck in a hard place. He can speak but not normal.. My sister is a deacon at church and his father is in the airforce. Both of them are very great with him..
2006-09-14 09:26:30 · update #1
I would honestly suggest a psychologist. Maybe that's something that you need to look into rather than masking the problem with medications, it happens way to often. There have been numerous cases where therapy actually helps the child calm down and find better ways of dealing with his anger.
Good Luck and please no drugs
2006-09-13 16:58:56 · answer #1 · answered by freaking_airhead 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
He needs a comprehensive work up that included both medical and psychological examinations. The school district can do the psych. and may be able to recommend another doctor that is more open to what you want. Colleges with psychology departments may have clinics for doctoral students that are modern, up to date, and cheaper than regular doctors. Keep in mind, though, that if more than one doctor doesn't recommend medication there may be some other cause of the behavior. What is the home life like? What are the parents like, and what is their parenting style? There are so many kids on meds these days that it's surprising there are doctors who don't want to prescribe meds. If your nephew is hurting others or himself he can also be "Baker Acted" which means he will be sent to a psychiatric facility for three days for observation, evaluation and treatment by doctors who are (or should be) familiar with these behaviors and can help.
Please keep in mind that all kids aren't reading at six years old, and that's okay. He should be in first grade right now, and with his educational history it's not surprising that he's not reading. If he knows his letters and has pre-reading skills, concentrate on his behavior and when he is able to stay in class more the academics will come. Good luck!
2006-09-14 03:29:51 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Ok..since he is school age, the school district has a responsiblity in placing him in the appropriate classroom. If he has hadno luck in tradtional classes, they should find him a class that is structured to handle kids with these issues. If he is not on an IEP, he should be. His parents should demand a full educational assesement and, if they have done so and it doesn't ring true, they should dispute the findings and demand testing by an independent source.
Second, get him to another peditrician, preferably one with a specialty in developmental issues. Reading late is not unheard of, but language problems at 7 definitely are a red flag, as is the behavior issues. I would also suggest a visit to a child psychologist for behavioral evaluations. If the cost is an issue (and for most of us it is) go to the school again. The district, if not the school, should have a psychologist on staff and they can do the evaluation. Then, you can always refuse the resluts and ask for independent testing.
FInally, medication can be a huge help, but it is never a cure all. Make sure your nephew gets the support and help he needs to succeed. Good luck to you and your family!
2006-09-14 00:06:27 · answer #3 · answered by Annie 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
He needs a comprehensive work up that included both medical and psychological examinations. The school district can do the psych. and may be able to recommend another doctor that is more open to what you want. Colleges with psychology departments may have clinics for doctoral students that are modern, up to date, and cheaper than regular doctors. Keep in mind, though, that if more than one doctor doesn't recommend medication there may be some other cause of the behavior. What is the home life like? What are the parents like, and what is their parenting style? There are so many kids on meds these days that it's surprising there are doctors who don't want to prescribe meds. If your nephew is hurting others or himself he can also be "Baker Acted" which means he will be sent to a psychiatric facility for three days for observation, evaluation and treatment by doctors who are (or should be) familiar with these behaviors and can help.
Please keep in mind that all kids aren't reading at six years old, and that's okay. He should be in first grade right now, and with his educational history it's not surprising that he's not reading. If he knows his letters and has pre-reading skills, concentrate on his behavior and when he is able to stay in class more the academics will come. Good luck!
2006-09-14 00:04:15 · answer #4 · answered by TeacherLady 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I would love to help you but i'm sure i'm far from your place. True, medicationa are not the only option. The first step would be going to a delevelopmental pedia or developmental neurologist (i guess u'v already done this), after certain test done by the doctor he may want you to go to other specialist that handle special kids like behavioral therapists, occupational therapist, sped teachers, speech pathologist, etc. it's more on what your doctors diagnosis, if he is autism, sped schools may help him coordinated with behavioral therapist (those who use ABA - applied behavior analysis, you can look it up) and speech pathologist, if he is ADHD or learning disability he may go to a behavioral therapist that coordinates with his school to make sure he would follow some rules to make him learn good behavior. This is going to be tough and a lot of work but with special kids all things can be learn through time, as long as your therapist knows what there doing and the family members and school knows there part to help this boy. Keep it up.
2006-09-14 04:24:51 · answer #5 · answered by matampooza 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not up to the drs all the time. Have the school do an assesment on him for a special education plan. Go to the spec. ed department and ask (demand nicely) for their help. By law they have to (if in the US)
Also see about having the developmental team at the childrens hospital testing him. They have a whole team that evaluates your child and can be a life savor!
2006-09-14 05:10:35 · answer #6 · answered by Mommadog 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Has he been refered to a developmental peditrician or a developmental neurologist by his peditrician? It would be the next step in the process of finding help through the medical community. In regards to the special education system, has there been a referal for special education services been done yet? Mainstreaming is one of the special education placements available with appropriate supports in place according to his needs. Was the psychologist specializing in developmental needs?
2006-09-13 23:59:34 · answer #7 · answered by dawncs 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
ANY parent can request for a school to have their child tested for learning disabilities. the school must complete their examination within 30 business days. it is free and the school district pays for it. if he is below level by two years he can be placed in special education and in an environment that is more condusive.
my sister (almost 19) was told by countless docs that she was just ADHD. after sending her out of state to a special needs school (pd by the county) it was finally discovered she was bipolar... it took 17 years for "professionals" to figure this out. don't think that anything will be changed overnight. unfortunately my sister suffered a lot of grief from never being properly diagnosed. there is hope!
2006-09-14 00:03:52 · answer #8 · answered by cb 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
have him tested for austism. theres a form called asbergers. its a communication effecting austism. my nephew has it, they caught it at 3. with intense speach therapy and one on one in school special programs through the state because he had an iep at 3 he started talking around 4 1/2, just the basics. at 6 we're still working on sentence structure and pronunciation. thing is hes way ahead in other areas.
if the dr wont do the tests find a new doctor. at 6 if hes having speach issues his primary should have been all over these delays and should have been sending him for tests and to speach therapists. this dr seems to be a quack. and honestly if tests do show something i would look into malpractice.
the anger issues may be stemming from the inability to express himself properly. work with him on sign language or other non violent ways to communicate. put a sign on everything in the house labeling it. at 5 my nephew could spell television.
good luck!
2006-09-14 00:31:33 · answer #9 · answered by autumnl78 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
2nd, 3rd, and 4th opinion. My nephew had the same problem and after years of misdiagnosis he was finally diagnosed with bipolar disorder. And with the right meds and actually therapy he is doing alot better. I think the therapy helped the most. Just talking about his anger and drawing pictures about what was going on in his head helped everyone understand what he was feeling.
2006-09-14 00:10:30 · answer #10 · answered by mander331 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋