Sleepless nights

[creginaz]

My 14 year old was diagnosed with ADHD in 3rd grade. He is taking metadate daily. However, he is becoming more challenging with behaviors and defiance in the evenings. He is up all hours of the night and leaves things a total mess. Last night he played with matches. He stopped individual therapy because he refused to speak and his therapy recommendation was to discontinue a year ago. He just started group therapy at school. What do you all think?

[seller]

I think he's become a teenager....which is always a challenge anyway, as kids start to push back against the house rules, etc. When you add ADHD to the mix, it can really be a problem. I would start by making your house "teen proof". Put a lock on one of the rooms in your house and lock up matches, guns, liquor, money, etc. Teens rarely do well in therapy - they have no insight into their own behavior and are often only focused on what they want and how to get it. And they never think they're wrong! I would lock up the computers, video games, phones, etc at night - make sure you warn your son in advance - so there is no distraction with sleep. Institute a few rules and stick to them. Try and ignore the rude behavior as much as possible - don't engage - just walk away. Don't take the mean remarks personally. You have to pick your battles and don't waste your time bemoaning the fact that your son is rude - this will probably continue for some time.