what to do with a 7 yr old boy with adhd?

Question

ok i have a 7 yr. old son who likes to play with fire and be a bully at school, he also likes to lie to people about little stuff...i dont know what to do anymore i have tried punishing him and i have tried the reward system which neither one works, what should i do now?

Answer 1

take him to a shrink

Answer 2

Get the school involved. They have to do testing if you request it. Also, have you talked to his pediatrician? I have a 9 year old who has some similar problems. He needs to learn how to deal with the way his brain works. Rewards and punishment will only go so far. I also agree with the suggestion to look at his diet. I've read that adhd symptoms can be the first sign of a gluten allergy and find that when I limit the carbs my son eats, he does much better. Good Luck!

Answer 3

Honestly, you may not like my answer, but I think your son needs to get his rear end kicked in a little. I'm not telling you to beat your kid, but I am telling you that you may benefit from getting him involved in activities where his antics will not be tolerated. Some sports are great source of tough love. Football, Wrestling, and even Martial Arts.

A football coach will have the kid do extra conditioning (extra excercise helps the child more than hurts him)

A Wrestling coach, like a football coach also punishes the child with extra conditioning. (Again the punishment benefits the child).

A Martial Arts instructer can be the most strict of all. Especially if he's being a bully. They usually always stay focused on the childs grades in school, and their self conrol. These guys also build a relationship of trust with the child that the child does not want to dissappoint their master. With AdHd, if you are looking for an activity, I think this is the way to go.

Each sport teaches respect, and that's what it sounds like he needs. They will also provide him with positive ways to vent his fustration and aggression.

Answer 4

I can so sympathize with you. My Daughter was diagnosed with ADHD at 6years of age and let me tell you, she was a little devil. She was not violent with children at school but she was violent and verbally abusive to me at home, as well as with her sister and father figure.

We took her to see a dr, and they put her on some medications...though the medications made her more attentive in a classroom situation, she lost alot of weight, her skin colour changed and she became lathargic at different times of day, didn't want to eat, didn't want to play... sooo tired of all the reward systems and such, I bought the book 1,2,3 magic. I know, I know its just a book.... but it teaches you how to be in charge.

The thing with Children who have ADHD is that they are doing it to control you and others around them. They need to see how far they can push you and get a reaction.. when in fact, though it is the hardest thing to do, the best thing to do is to pay no mind at all. Ignore his outbursts, don't use any negativity at all and ALWAYS demand an appology for ill behaviour.

Once you have accomplished that and established some form of control over him (without medication) you will find life alot easier.

Something else I found really helped was a routine, a very strict one at that, specific times for homework, play, time to clean, time to read.. and NO TV.... I rewarded my child with what she liked to do best which really helped me gain control over her.

Remember to speak to him like he is 7 years old not like you would to another adult. So many parents make that mistake.

Remain calm when you speak to him and give NO REACTION to poor behaviour...

Good luck... if you have any other questions or just need to talk about it... [e-mail]

Answer 5

My sister son was said to have adhd. When he was 6yrs old. He is 12 Now. He was seen by a doctor and put on med's. Pesonally i think it was that he was not getting enough attention.My sister and her husband always fightning. The med that he was given made him act like he was all drugged up and slow. Didnt change the fact that he was breaking the school windows and trying to catch the house siding on fire.He hated school and was in a special aid class. Nothing seemed to help. Two years ago my sister and her husband split up, he lives with his dad and she see's him on the weekends. They took him off the medication and he seems to be doing much better. Maybe it was an affect of what was going on in their household. Back in the 50's you didnt see parents putting there kids on med's cause they didnt listen. But back then when my dad even gave us that look we settled down. Let me tell you we cted like Indians. But i cn remember i never heard my parents argue. I asked them later and they did, just not around us. Most parent s today spoil ther children to much, or work to much with hardly anytime or no time for the kids. We are in a working mode, cause we wat the fancy cars, tvs, Ipods etc. Back then they didnt have that. ( Oh ya my mom use to walk a mile to school ) hehe Just be patient with him, and give him lots of attention.

Answer 6

Get the book Cures That They Don't Want You To Know About. I have a feeling it is something in his diet, a preservitive. MSG is known to cause a lot of problems like this. Try putting your child on some fish oil pills if you want a more natural salution. You could alway to a homapathic doctor.

Answer 7

get him in counseling asap, sounds like my son ,he use to have me in tears( really my grandson) I raise him because his mom refuse to ,but he went from calling the police on me ,saying he did not belong there ,before he left ,to running away, I made him a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and told him to be careful, that it going to get dark and cold, he was gone 10 minutes) I also told him to pack only what he brought with him,he had so much,all the video games and PlayStation
this was when he was between 3 and 6 ,counseling helps, just give him all the love and keep him busy, my boy is 21 and can't believe the things he use to do , he is a beautiful young man spoiled but beautiful

Answer 8

talk to your school guidance counselor (or other trusted person). they can recommend options for support either in school or through related agencies. if you already have a diagnosis, try a resource like "ADDitude Magazine"
if you are just "guessing" please talk to your son's school. they can complete a "conner's behavioral assessment" that you can take to your pediatrician and address the issue.
not all kids need meds, but they often make a difference... make sure you have a trusted ped. working w/ you

Answer 9

I stongly suggest reading "Unraveling the ADD/ADHD Fiasco." I great book with lots of helpful tips.

Answer 10

Don't phsically punish him, take away things that are important to him like tv, video games, anything that he values. It will get worse before it gets better, good luck.

Answer 11

First of all, physical punishment in NEVER ok. You need to take him to a pediatric physcologist.