[jojelly]

My son spanky has been on numerous meds, works with a doc and no solutions. He was expelled from school and numerous day cares. He is very sweet and nice and loving, and then out of no where he is angry he hates everyone he tried to kill himself jumping out of second floor window running in traffic pulling his hair out ripping his skin off screaming kicking bitting throwing himself against a wall. this will go on for hours if at school or daycare. If at home I have to restrain and try soothing him and getting him to calm down. Most times he falls asleep after for a while. People looking at him funny bothers him, kids laughing, brother not sharing, dinner isnt ready on time, blanket is to small, shoes untied, bus is late, different teacher, can't button pants.. etc etc. he thinks every one is out to get him. He always says he just wants to die and every one hates him... When in a good mood he is very lovy dovy always real hyper, gets up at 5:30 am and cant sleep without trazadone. He has been in impatient and outpatient also in special education. Says he is too young for a diagnosis, im about to loose my job because I have to keep leaving work due to his behavior in sped class, I need answers.... this is my last resort, I have to more boys and a husband we live paycheck to paycheck. Anyone have any idea what I can do to help my son and family??

[Yoda]

My son got kicked out of kindergarten when he overturned a table and terrorized the teacher and aide. We had him assessed and his adhd was better with ritalin but he still had problems and attracted unwanted attention in school. When he was young we gave him clonidine to help him sleep which worked until he was 12 y/o. My son was diagnosed with bipolar in his early teens.

Is your child in a public school? If so ask to have him evaluated by the school psychologist. Then depending on the assessment you may be able to have the school write an IEP (individualized education plan) for your son. My son had a learning disability that we were not aware of until his assessment. Also if your child is in a public school the school will not be allowed to kick him out if his behavior is a result of his disability. Here is a link that defines what is a disability http://www.nichcy.org/Disabilities/C...s/Default.aspx

Which drugs has your son trialled so far?

[mgran]

Is it possible that your son is high functioning autistic, or suffers from asperger's syndrome, rather than a mood disorder? I ask because my son has asperger's, and when he was young he would react with great distress if a bus was late, his jumper was acryllic rather than cotton, he had a supply rather than regular teacher, was made to sit at the "wrong" desk. The over reacting to environmental divergence from the "norm" is very typical of aspie (asperger's) syndrome.

It was a radically emancipating move for my son to get his diagnoses finally... it coud be for your son too. Keep us posted.

[venusss]

I am just worried about this young child being on meds. Are you sure his behavior is symptom of illness and not of being on stuff that may be toxic for his young organism?

I would seriously look at his diet too. Apparently, food allergies and mimic mental health symptoms.

[LJMG]

Hi JoJelly,

After reading your story I had to respond. I am a special education teacher in a public school and your story is like many other parents. You are not alone.

It sounds like you are trying to do the best for your son and will do anything to get him stable and safe. I can't imagine having to restrain him yourself. Your experiences are heartbreaking.

Without knowing anything about you, I know that you will do and have probably done everything humanly possible for your son, while trying to maintain a stable environment for your family.

As a special education teacher, my professional opinion is this..
Your son is not stable enough to be in a school setting. As hard as it is to say, especially because he is so young, he needs professional help that a special education teacher or aide cannot give him. He is suicidal and at risk at all times. Given that, he needs to be under constant supervision that unfortunately, only a hospital setting can provide. Yes, he is so so young and putting him in a hospital is the last thing you want to do. But, the alternative is much worse.

This is much more then a toxic reaction. He does need meds or intense psychiatric intervention. At some point there is a possibility that he may no longer need them. But as time goes on, he will only get bigger and stronger and his drastic moods will only become more intense.

An IEP will be necessary, and it will protect him to a point. This is not something that you should be concerned about now. Right now the main priority is getting him stable.

In the best interest of our son, seek immediate intervention from a health care professional.

I wish you, your son, and your family the best.