IEP suggestions for 8 year old

[Mtof]

My 8 year old boy has adhd combine. He is very impulsive and loves attention. He will do the opposite of what is asked of him. He is punished at school for somethings I feel he can’t control. Example is he will sometimes go to the restroom and “howl” or take his left shoe off. (at home he will take his sock off one foot also) His teacher has told me in writing that he is not impulsive. I feel with her in denial it is hopeless. He has been diagnosed by Watson institute and his pcp. He does receive theropy. I have his IEP meeting coming up any suggestions that you have that might help me? Thanks in advance!!

[5Flyingeagle]

You are not alone. My daughter is diagnosed with ADHD Combined as well as OCD, ODD, Anxiety-Nos, and Sensory Issues. My daughter hasn't got punished as far as I know. But I have had other issues. Sorry I don't have anything to help. I have an annual IEP next week. They want to change to 504. I am going to fight it because no-one will be monitoring my child except the teacher. My daughter won't always tell me what is going on or what happens at school. She also won't express anything to anyone at school most of the time. I don't want her to loose what little progress we have made this year. It is only going to get harder for our kids we have to fight for them. Hope someone has some information that can help. Good Luck.

[Onthemove1971]

Mtof- welcome.to the group, we hope you can learn and discuss your experience on the blog. Our journey is.. not unique to most families of children who struggle with a child with ADHD. From your question I can assume your son does not already have an IEP or the team would have made suggestions already for you to consider.

There are many suggestions, it to be honest, every IEP is very individualize (

(that's why it's called an individual Educational Plan)

It sounds like behavior is your main concern. Some school district have behavior specialist that can help.

I am curious if your son is taking any medications to help him with impulsive behavior and or a anything to help him focus? Unfortunately school gets harder as they get up in years.

CHADD has many wonderful articles on the IEP and suggestions of what to put in one.

Best of luck with this journey.. hope we can help you.

[Mtof in reply to Onthemove1971]

No he is not on any meds. He is receiving services from family psychology and has an appointment for behavioral health coming up. I’m waiting on the school psychologist to send me a copy of her evaluation she had done.

[Onthemove1971 in reply to Mtof]

I hope you don't mind me saying this, but if you know he can not control himself, then medication is extremely helpful. You want him to both feel like he can control himself and learn to control himself. I really recommend you seeing a child psychiatrist, they can guide you on what type, timing and amount would be the most helpful.

Most kids that have these kinds of trouble see a very quick positive result on medication.

Sorry but the school psychologist "should" not advise you on medication, their job is to describe how the issues (impulsive behavior, lack of focus, issues with school work) are impacting his schooling.

A Child Psychiatrist can give you the best advice.

We tried working with our son's pediatrician and this was not enough for him. Now that he takes medication we have very few behavior issues in school.

One more thing, if you try the medication and it is not working then you can stop. They is no long term use unless you want to continue. Most of the medication is "short acting" so they do not build up in their system.

Hope this help , it is best if you deal with these issues now before he goes through other grades.

Let me know if I can help in any way,

Big hug!

[JkBauer]

Mtof,

Yes, you have quite a tough situation you are dealing with. It sounds like you are doing a great job being a mom. I work with special needs and troubled kids. I have worked with many kids like your son over the years. Your best bet is to try and think like your son. (After 8 years of raising your son, what are some common denominators that you have seen over the years with him?) You mentioned that he is impulsive, likes attention, does the opposite of what is asked of him- he will howl or take his left shoe off. The are great observations. (For example; if he does the opposite of what is asked of him, ask him a thought provoking question to the directions that were given to him and why he thinks he should do it his way. I.E." Johnny, I want you to go wash your hands up for dinner, please. he says NO! I don't want to wash my hands and comes and just sits down and wants to eat. - Johnny, why do we have to wash our hands before we eat?_________He thinks and hopefully answers. Johnny, why do you not want to wash your hands before dinner? We all have to wash our hands.Hopefully Johnny will answer ___________. Maybe it might just be how and where he washes his hands that bother him. Get creative. Who says you cannot user dish soap and the water-sprayer in the kitchen sink? Then say okay, Johnny, if this makes a watery mess, I have this rag here for you to wipe it up. Will you please help out and dry the water up? Thank you! Try to get into his mind by asking questions rather than making demands. Get him to think by giving him choices rather than telling him____. Rewards and choices of consequences that he helps pick out are important. Give him a positive goal to work towards in each problem that he is dealing with. Be creative, use friends and family that are willing to help. He might not like spelling in the contemporary setting of his classroom, maybe, there might be a honor student in high school looking for volunteer time who can come down to his school and help him with his spelling... Chin Up mom, you are doing good!

[Mtof in reply to JkBauer]

Thank you for your advice I will have to give this a try.