[The Mama]

This is my first post ever anywhere and I'm at my wits end! My child has adhd and is on meds, focalin, paxil and clonodine. The anger part is really bad, everything I say in the a.m. getting ready for school, 4th grade and almost 11 yo, is a fight! Any answers on how to deal with this???

[Little Lulu]

You are probably already doing this but try the night before to prepare everything the two of you (you need a buy-in from your child) can for the next day - clothes picked out, lunch packed, school supplies laid out at the door, breakfast decided on, etc. Then have a brief discussion before bed about the time everyone will get up, how the morning will flow, and what the expectations are. Ask your kid for suggestions on this morning routine thing (buy-in again). Keep it positive - nothing preachy. That alone takes much of the stress out of the next morning.

At bedtime, spend a few minutes with your kid doing something uplifting such as reading something positive, or discussing something good that happened that day, or mentioning something you each are grateful for and find something good about your kid to praise.

[Fuzzybear]

[dolphindiaries]

I have a child with similar issues. It may be as small as needing a change in medication or in my case a wrong diagnosis. We were told my dd had adhd and anxiety when she was in 1st grade. Now that she is in 4th grade her behavior is out of control. I did some research about childhood bipolar disorder. Usually misdiagnosed as adhd. He might need a mood stabilizer instead of or added to his current medications. Lamictal is what my dd is on currently. Talk to your prescribing doctor and tell them the change in behavior.
If it is an early onset of bipolar, stimulants make the child's anger and aggression excessive instead of better. That is why a mood stabilizer is given.

[alicetailor]

Apart from the meds, you mean? Patience!

[BioAdoptMom3]

I may be posting way too late here, not sure if you are still on the board, but I totally agree with Dolphindiaries! Our 14 y/o DD was just diagnosed with bipolar 3 months ago and life has become so much more bearable for her and for us! Childhood bipolar is indeed VERY OFTEN misdiagnosed as ADHD in children when they are younger. I would ask his doctor about this.

Nancy

[dangthien]

You are probably already doing this but try the night before to prepare everything the two of you (you need a buy-in from your child) can for the next day - clothes picked out, lunch packed, school supplies laid out at the door, breakfast decided on, etc.