How to deal with this behavior?

docmay25

I haven't been on here for a long time, but always found that everyone here had good advice and could understand.  A little background on my ds.  He is 7 and has a diagnosis of Sensory Integration Disorder, Anxiety disorder, Disruptive Behavioral Disorder and gross motor delays.  The reason for the Disruptive Behavior disorder diagnosis is because the doctor is not ready to give an ADHD diagnosis, but they feel that he will end up with that.

Ds has always been a very emotional child.  The littlest thing gets him upset.  He has extreme emotions.  This was really bad when he was age 4.  Then it improved for a couple years and now it has gotten bad again.  

He has strong reactions to the smallest thing.  For example, the other day his sister brought in the trash barrel that he wanted to bring in when I asked them for help.  In a matter of 5 seconds he went from a calm kid to crying and screaming things like, "I can't believe you are doing this to me", " you are so unfair", "this is just great" etc.  This is how he reacts to almost everything.  

He is a loving, sweet child.  He wants to behave and feels guilty when he doesn't.  I don't know how to deal with this behavior.  He is also very negative all the time.  My dh thinks we should set consequences for this negative attitude and out bursts.  I think we need to find a way to help him not react this way.

Any suggestions of what I can do to end these reactions and help him be a more positive child? 

docmay25

Thanks Auntie.  You could not have said it better.  You described my son so well.  he does not have Aspergers...but he has a lot of the traits.  My nephew does have Aspergers and Jack is very similar to him.  

I know that if the negative attitude is his personality, I can not change it.  I guess it just upsets me because I want him to be happier and not feel like the world is against him.   

He is very rigid.  I mean there could not be a more perfect word to describe him.  Because of this he sets himself up for failure.  He is so quick to react to things and is unable to calm himself down once he does get upset.  His reactions are so disproportionate to the situation.  

This did not start with the birth of the baby.  He is very responsible when it comes to the baby.  He adores him.  It started with Kindergarten and has progressively become worse with first grade.  This school year his behavior and attitude has been terrible.  I don't even recognize him.  But with that being said, his teacher says he is a perfect student.  he follows the rules, does his work and is a pleasure to have in class.  When he does need a warning, he improves right away and feels remorse for the bad behavior.  As soon as he steps off the bus, he falls apart.  He is often crying within 5 minutes of walking in the door. 

meiiisia

Have you read "The Challenging Child" by Stanley Greenspan? I strongly recommend it.