I have a 6 year old son with ADHD. His Dr. will not prescribe medication until he is 7 and wants us to try other behavioral methods ,(we are still working on that).
The main problem he is having in kindergarten at this time is that he chews on his fingers, picks his nose (I know-Gross!), and he is sticking his hands in his pants (for some reason the back not the front).
His teacher has talked to him about it and my husband and I are ALWAYS telling him to stop. He just tells us he doesn't know why he does it. He has a plastic loop that he keeps in his pocket that his therapist gave him 2 years ago to help him remember to keep his hands to himself and it seemed to be working until a few weeks ago. I am so embarrassed that he is doing this at school. We have had no major changes to our lives so I am at my wits end to help him.
Any suggestions are greatly appreciated! Thank you.
Thank you all for your advice. My son was tested for autism and they concluded he has ADHD. I have talked to him and he has come up with a few ways to stop when he is at school. At home we are trying positive feedback and lots of hugs.
Try the Feingold diet http://www.feingold.org/ I know so many people who have had luck with this program so much to the point that their children don't need the medicine so they never have to deal with the harmful side effects that the ADHD medicines have.
My daughter is ADHD also. I'm not sure how to help with the bad habits, but if he is a little more in control of himself it might help. I would take my daughter to the YMCA in Plano that has an indoor pool at night while I was working out. She would swim with her friend and the next day her behavior what incredibly better! It got to where the teacher knew the days she had been swimming the night before and the days she hadn't been swimming. Good Luck. Also, I would check with a neurologist for a second opion. I do know children that get medicine earlier.
You might not like my advice, but it would be for you and your husband to chill a bit on your son. It's hard enough being a little kid, I'm sure it's even harder having ADHD. He probably knows on some level that something is different with him and it's VERY hard for him to control himself. His habits sound like a form of self-comfort even though it doesn't make sense to us.
Maybe find him a new "something" to fidget with since his plastic loop isn't working. Maybe he can chew gum or get a stress ball or something.
Try comforting him and holding him when he's doing his habits and asking him how he's feeling. Maybe he can recognize when his "sress" starts building and learn to seek you out for comfort if you are around.
If he feels like everyone wants him to stop what he's doing - he won't understand why and it may make him feel even more alienated. This will eventually lead to even more problems. He needs you guys on his side. Good luck.
I want to second Jennifer T (the first post) about getting evaluated for possible ASD type disorders. Many of his "bad habits" could be attributed to sensory issues, ASD sprectrum issues etc. It would not hurt to have other evals to confirm that is "only"ADHD. Better to know and start therapies etc now than wait. My son was not diagnosed with his ASD until 10. (he was iniitially diagnosed with addhd) IF we had had the proper diagnosis earlier we done quite of few things different and i think would be further ahead in dealing with his ASD issues. ASD disorders therapies have much greater success the earlier you start them...
OF course he could just being a boy. Maybe he is not really ready for school. We push kids so fast! OR maybe he is bored.
Just food for thought, like Jennifer, just my opinions.
Good luck and let us know
Hi K.,
I can't imagine what you are going through. I do know that there is a company called Waiora that has a natural product that seems to be helping kids with ADHD and Autism. Not to mention their products are satisfaction guarateed. To read their testimonies go to http://www.testimonyinfo.com/ if you want to read about the products go to http://my.waiora.com/products_ncd.php
Let me know if you have any questions. ###-###-####
Have a blessed day.
K.
With a child who is very active, you need to find acceptable activities to replace bad ones. Discuss with the teacher what he could do with his hands during class that would not be disruptive to the class and help him with that activity. I gave my son plastic rings for him to twist in class. They are silent and don't disturb others, but I had to clear it with the teacher because they don't generally let them wear things like that.
I gotta say, though, those behaviors sound perfectly normal. I'm sure he's not the only little boy fascinated with his nose. The teacher sounds a little overconcerned to me. Don't be afraid to let him just "be a boy".
Good luck
D. Kimbriel
Grandma to 2 beautiful boys
Chewing problems, like nails and such that you mention, are often a non-integrated Babkin Palmomental Reflex. This is not so difficult for you to work with and integrate for him. I know you are embarrassed, but when a reflex is not working properly, then it truly is beyond your child's control to completely stop it. He may be able to suppress it sometimes, but not always.
I am glad you haven't done medication yet. There are LOTS of things you can try to do before this. Some children can be helped without the medication, and your physician is wise to ask you to consider alternatives first. The medication is not a cure and has many unpleasant side effects---some which may not appear until years down the road.
I would be happy to coach you over the phone about this reflex---it is one of the most simple---for no cost.
Feel free to email me or private message me and we can set up a phone appointment.
D.
Mom to 8 children, 5 boys 3 girls ages 9 to 24
www.parentswithpurpose.com
this is just MY opinion, so take it for what you will. just from the SMALL amount of info you posted, i'd have him evaluated by a diagnostician - it sounds like it could possibly be asperger's or some other type of ASD and the "fidgeting" is what's called "stimming". does he have other behavioral problems or is fidgeting his main/only issue?
Many Dr's are quick to label ADD/ADHD and prescribe meds. There are many proven alternatives that can help improve focus and behavior in children. Diet can play a huge role.
I highly recommend an incredible book titled Adaptogens: Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief by Winston and Maimes. From the book "There is a category of herbs called adaptogens that help the human body adapt to stress, support normal metabolic processes, and restore balance. They increase the body's resistance to physical, biological, emotional, and environmental stressors and promote normal physiologic function".
To watch a video on the history of adaptogens go to VitalHealth.TunguskaMist.com to learn more.
Many parents have had wonderful results using the Tunguska Mist Adaptogen Sprays to help restore balance in their children and improve their focus and behavior. Teachers often comment that the student's grades go from C's/D's to A's/B's.
My husband and I have been taking adaptogens for a long time, and we're passionate about helping people reduce the damaging effects of stress and restore balance NATURALLY, without medications. Good luck and God Bless:)
