My 6yr old son has severe behavioural issues

Jane - posted on 12/03/2011

Sounds like my son. Residential treatment was one of the best things for him. He is still hard to live with but he hasn't tried to kill me or himself in several years. He's is fairly okay as long as he takes his meds.

Talea - posted on 11/07/2011

He has proved though that he can behave himself. My second son was very much like this. The biggest thing is to keep your wits don't let them get to you. You are the adult in the situation. If he hits his 4 year old sister spank his butt good. Do NOT do it in anger. As for his bedroom door, take it down, and take away his toys. Begin making him earn things. My son actually locked himself in the car, and began kicking the glass as hard as he could all the while screaming so loudly the neighbors came out to see what was wrong. He has also put holes in the wall and broken his window. I made him work the window off. He was not allowed ANY free time until it was paid off. The fact though that he behaved for the peditrician tells me he is capable of being good. Listen to him, talk to him when he's having quieter moments and listen to those things he's not saying. Watch him when he's not looking and see if you can pick up on what's causing your little man to feel so lost and out of control. Give him choices like he can choose to clean his room and then be able to do a specific fun activity or he can choose not to and stay in his room until it's done. If he pitches a fit - do not give in! Stand firm - let him scream, yell, pitch his fit as long as he's not hurting himself. Do not run in to "make it ok". Be firm and be consistant. Spanking my son was a last resort and only when he was doing something that could hurt someone else. However, there were times when he took his anger out in ways that caused him pain to himself and I let him (unless it was something drastic). I have refused to get onto other kids who have defended themselves against him. I also grounded him and took the time to talk to him about what was going on. (((hugs))) You aren't alone.

Holly - posted on 05/14/2011

HI I have a 6 yr old son who behaves in the same manner, getting progressively worse since he was 18 months. He has a whole list of diagnosis. ADHD,Anxiety, OCD, Sensory integration disorder, Oppositional defiant disorder, Aspergers ( autism) , pragmatic language impairment, sleep disorders and Intermittent explosive disorder. It has taken me YEARS of fighting to get this much help an acknowledgemen for my son. He has times when we are in front of professionals where he will not display any different behaviors.I pressed the issue until I found a doctor who understood this and the first meeting we had with them they pushed Bradens buttons untill they found a trigger and set him off so they could observe his behavior. He has been hospitalized 4 times since the end of January for his behavior and aggression. He beats me up and his 8 yr old sister up as well. He will destroy everything in sight and harm anyone who is near. He has threatened to kill myself and many other people. I was hesitant at first to send him to the inpatient treatment hospitals but I had no other choice. I could not physically handle him any more and i was/am exhausted. I was scared for himself and myself and my daughter. He is also impulsive and runs away every chance he gets and runs in the street in front of cars. When he is angry he hits himself. Braden has gotten so bad, and his body does not respond to medications that they are going to put him into a residential treatment facility. The normal inpatient stays are 7-10 days, he exceeds that when he gets admitted, usually 3-4 weeks. The residential places has no time limits. They will work with him for as long as need be. My son is currently in the inpatient here locally untill a spot opens in the residental hospital over 8 hours away from home. Dont give up. Its frustrating. You are not alone. I know it seems harsh to ut your child in the hospital but we only want whats best for them. If we let this go on with out treatment, thy only get worse and they will get bigger and stronger! I miss my son, but I know when he gets to come home I will get to ENJOY him!!!! Good luck!!!