Son Has ODD and ADHD Does Anyone Else Have a Child like This?

Hi H.! I would recommend taking a little from every post! Just to share a little story of my own, my daughter was diagnosed with the same thing at a young age. We took her to a neurologist and was told that she needed this and that medication ... as a matter of fact, they even put her on medication (half the dose) that I was taking!!! I think at the time, she was on about 4 medications. Nothing was working for her, and she would rage all the time, busted out all her bedroom windows, scream at us, tried to push her brother down the stairs ... it wasn't even her on a bad day so I ended up taking her to a psychiatrist who took her off the medication and put her on a mood stabilizer, which is for bipolar. I HATE the fact that there is medication in her life, but its what helps her, and its what helps her be a "normal" kid. But who knows what we would have had to deal with if we would've just went with what the neuro told us. Same neuro diagnosed my son with the same thing ... but I was a little leary at that time with him, because he was just an awkard little guy. A very serious guy ... that the neuro said had ADD!!!!!! Turned out, second opinion .. he has Asperger's. I only share, because I believe that a psychiatrist will let you know IF there's anything going on in that little body of his ... or if there's not, and then, at least our doctor, doesnt like to treat the patients unless they do talk therapy as well. They go hand in hand. Just to sleep better at night, its something to look into.

Hi H.,

I have a very informational video for you to watch about the issues you are talking about. Another great website to check out is www.generationrescue.com, if I have not already given this one to you. Hope you have taken a few minutes to check out www.internalbalance.com as well.

Best Wishes with your quest to help your child.
L.

Hello H.. My son was having a lot of problems with school work. In 5th grade we had him tested for a learning disability through the school. We were told he did not have a learning disability and there was nothing they could do for us unless we had him diagnosed with ADD/ADHD and put him on medicine. I fought the diagnosis as I do not like the idea of the medicine. The peditrician told me he wasn't even going to discuss with me that my son was the picture of ADHD and though he had never had problems with behavior I was to believe he was ODD as well. Then I was guilted into the medicine. AFter a few days of watching my son slip into a depression and reading horror stories on line about the number of suicides of teens on ADD medication we pulled him off the drugs. Three years later and a lot of stubborness on my part and we found out that our son had sensory integration relating to his vestibular system and he also had a vision problem (not sight problem as his sight was 20/20)...he is now in occupational therapy and vision therapy and I was told the reason he displayed with ADD is because he couldn't process the information he was getting in school. THe older he got the further behind he was getting and of course at his age if he didn't understand something he would give up after a while and start fiddling or doing things that seemed like ADD ~ the ODD was really just a frustration of not feeling normal like his peers. I was told my son only had an IQ of 89, but now he excels in school. The school has fought us and it has been an unpleasant experience, but we are happy things are getting better for our son. What I am saying is I can relate to the frustrations you must be feeling. It is a long hard battle and sometimes it is nice just to talk to someone who doesn't judge and has some idea and compassion for what you are going through. If you have any questions or would like to talk my email is ____@____.com By the way, I am not trying to say your son's diagnosis of ADHD/ODD is incorrect; I was just sharing our story. Good luck to you and your son.

First I am going to say that I am not a doctor so please check with your son's doctor. I normally don't do medicine recommendations, but I remember how frustrated we were with our son from about age 7 to 9 when I finally broke down and took him to a psychiatrist. He would have violent outbursts where he'd throw chairs against the wall, fling filled cups across the room, trash his room, try to attack us, etc. His psychiatrist finally put him on Concerta for his ADHD and Risperdal for his violent outbursts. I never knew there was a medicine that could help with his violence. For the most part he was a very sensitive compassionate kid which is why his outbursts confused us. The smallest thing would set him off. I don't know if Risperdal would be appropriate for your child since he's so young, but it's doesn't hurt to ask. My son, who will be ten in May, is now off both medicines and is completely fine.

HI H. MY SON HAS ADHD,AGRESSIVENESS,ODD & IS HIGH END AUTISTIC. HE IS ON 3 DIFF MEDS NOW AT AGE 6. AND I JUST WANT TO SCREAM MOST DAYS. LOL. IM A STAY HOME MOM OF 2 BOYS MY OLDEST 6 AND MY YOUNGEST BEING 2. SO I KNOW WHAT U MEAN. FILL FREE TO EMAIL ANYTIME U NEED TO CHAT OR JUST VENT WE ALL HAVE THOSE DAYS ____@____.com if i can be of any help i will. Good luck on what ever u chose to do.

Hi H.,

I too have a son with ADHD and ODD and there are days I think I can't parent this child. My husband and I have adopted four children from the same birth mother and my oldest son was 5 when he came to us. When we adopted we knew he was ADHD. About 3 years ago we found out he also had ODD. We have had a very rough road with him over the years. I am now seeing the same "signs" in my 6 year old son. If you would like to talk please email me at ____@____.com your head up!
L.