My stepson is ADHD and sometimes his behavior is unbearable does anyone have any ideas on how to deal with?

Question

He is very repetitive, always asking for food but then not eating it. He doesn't want to ride his bike or play video games, but he will walk around and around the coffee table shaking a toy that makes noise or wallow on the floor or the sofa. What are somethings that will keep these kind of children entertained. I want to be able to spend time with him, but with him always asking questions and being underfoot I can't get things done to spend time with him and I am having trouble making him understand this.

Answer 1

I look after a 6 year old little boy who is just like this, as sweet as he is sometimes he is enough to make a vicar swear!
The best thing we have found with him is make sure he eats a lot of fresh foods not ready meals and stuff with additives and have him outside doing active things as much as possible. Another thing we find works with him, are things like screwball scrabble and things like that where he has to work things out but are still kind of entertaining. trust me i know how you feel, they are hard work! Also loads of praise and cuddles work a treat with him

Answer 2

This sounds more mildly autistic than ADHD. Where was he diagnosed? Does he live with you all the time or just come on weekends? How old is he? He just sounds bored. If he is not withyou all the time, make an extra effort to get most of the stuff done before he gets there and when he is there and there are things like dishes or whatever to do get him to help if he can. I can a give better answer with this info, so I will check back, but here is what my ADHD son and the other boys we know who are ADD like...

Legos and Imaginext they like building and are usually really good at it.

Video games are usually a big draw for these kids, is it maybe he needs something new? These kids get bored easy.

Art and drawing. Painting, coloring, play doh, etc

Board games and puzzles. My son and his ADHD friends love this. We will set out a puzzle and work on it over a week. People wander by and stop a minute. It gets addicitve. There are a lot of really fun games, stay away from any that have writing as this is usually a weakness, but my son likes the Trivial Pursuits that are geared toward his interests (we have disney and star wars but it would depend on your son) and Scene it (again for us it is disney, but there is a Nickolodean version and others), battleship, yatzee, card games, stuff that has the family together.

Go to the park or playground.

Get things that require imaginitive play if he is younger. Soft swords, dress up, tools.

Hope some of this helped. Good Luck

Answer 3

People with ADHD need a lot of stimulation. You do not have time for him you will need activities all ready for when he comes home from school or when he wakes up.
This is not a live threatening condition therefor the kid does not need to be sedated on drugs. Just needs stimulation.
Find out what the kid likes. Then give him chores to earn the money to buy him things within that realm he likes.
I am ADHD, two of the three boys is diagnosed. We have set up the house to have many activities we are all interested in so we do not get board.
It is work and it costs money but if a child like this is not stimulated some down right nasty things can happen.

One does not have enough time in the day to answer all the questions a child like this has. If this kid knows how to read for heavens sakes get him a library card. This gives our kids hours of entertainment. Or start buying him books to read. Several books at one time is what I used to do when I was little. Writing stories or drawing pictures. My kids have been on the computer since 3-4 they love the computer. They collect all sorts of things. Lego's are something we can not live without here. Track for cars are also something that can be taken apart and built differently in different places.

Just go get him plenty of activities.

NOTE; youngest child has a form of autism, ADHD is what is doctor says is a sub symptom he has.

Answer 4

I think we hear all the time now days about kids who are "problem" kids. My mom says because we have such poor diets now and because of all the chemicals we injest we are having serious problems with autism and ADHD and the like. I am kinda old fashioned though and I think that most (not all,some really do have medical problems) kids today are just undiciplined. When you look back at previous generations when parents weren't afraid to discpline thier kids and actually spent time with them actively raising them, you didn't see nearly so much bad and unacceptable behavior. My kids are very well behaved and when they were little they would often observe other children misbehaving and say to me "Mommy, that kid is being naughty!" And I would say yes "He/she is." My kids knew that such behavior was NOT acceptable because I set clear and firm guidelines and consequences for not doing the correct things. We remove toys, confine to rooms, deny special priveleges, and as a last resort we do spank. But we don't ever lash out in anger. This is really hard too. Because it is hard to not be upset when your child is acting up. You have to establish rules and consequences and when you say,"If you do that, this will happen." You have to enforce it. Kids know who will follow thru and who will not. Kids need to know their boundries and also that even when they cross the line and you make them pay the price, you still love them and it is because you love them that you are helping them to become good people who make the right choices and decisions.

Answer 5

depending on his age you might want to see if he can help you with some of the things going on around the house.
my boys are 5 and 9, this morning i had them help take down their laundry and put it in the basement. since i am pregnant so bending is hard, i had the boys go around the house with me picking up things on the floor so i can vacuum in a little while. today it was like a game and no complaints, other days they complain.
my oldest has adhd and my youngest is being tested for bipolar, both of which run in my family.

you might think about taking your son to see a dr about getting him reevaluate. depending on his age and his needs, he may not need medication just a new way of thinking...the family may need to make some changes in how everyone thinks and behaves to make working with him easier.

remember, adhd can be more then just the one thing. you can have a number of other sub issues going on like ocd, bipolar, depression, and other disorders

also remember that just because your kid has been "labeled" with something doesn't make it a bad thing. my boys have high amounts of creativity and tend to see the world from a different way... i like that, i like who they are but not always how they react or behave

try thinking about yourself and his father, both of you might need to be evaluated... if a child has adhd more then likely a parent does too... and it is really hard to help a child if you don't know that you have a problem and need help too
i know, i've been there

things will get better, don't give in or give up

go to the government websites and see what links they have, read up as much as you can and ask questions of your dr.

Answer 6

If you say he is ADHD then I assume you've had him tested by a doctor. If so the doctor should have given you some ideas on how to handle it. If you haven't had him tested, you should. When you say he walks around the coffee table shaking a toy and this makes him happy it may be signs of a deeper situation.

Answer 7

your first answer is what i am thinking to i have worked with kids with autism and one of the things they do is shaking there hands. and repetitive is something else they do.

when your talking to him does he look into your eyes or is he always looking around or looking at one thing like your shirt or mouth.
does he rock when sitting or standing

there are many things that can point to autism use the link below and if this seems like your stepson has these signs have him checked by his doctor

good luck and i hope everything turns out fine.

Answer 8

i understand what you are talking about. Children with "problems" have a hard time understanding what you are saying. try to say it to his face and look him in his eyes and make sure that he is paying attention. My son is 6 and has a bunch of problems. We made him a craft center in his bedroom. When he has a good day we give him dollar and he gets to go to the store and pick out a craft item. It keeps him busy and gives him a goal.He is seen by an act team with counseling services. They come out to our home and spend time with him as well as with us. They give us advice and new ideas on how to entertain him. My son also goes to a special school that helps a lot. I also found that his pediatrician has a lot of good feedback. Good luck

Answer 9

These kids are a challenge. My son has very mild ADD and sometimes drives me crazy. They need constant attention. I like to go outside with him and take walks or ride bikes. He also likes just doing things one on one with me and I make him feel like this is a special treat so if he behaves we have a special day together. Try to have patience they can't help their behavior but I know it is not easy.

Answer 10

This sounds like he might have a slight case of autism also, repeating things is a sign of that (I think) does he respond to changes well or does he need a set routine? Most of all just love him, make sure he knows that you love him!