ADHD + ODD in the classroom

[Tamell4k]

Hello everyone, I am so happy to have found this group which seems like a great community of understanding people. Well my question for you guys of ODD children is have you found any particular behavioural strategies to be effective in the classroom for your child(ren)? My son just started 6th grade and has already been suspended and gotten detention for various issues. We had to have a meeting with his teachers which didnt' go well at all. We were able to finally get him a 504 plan, but it seems as if the stuff we tried to put in it either isn't working or the teachers aren't doing it. My son is very argumentative and has no respect for authority. He really displays all of the trademark symptoms of ODD, and he takes medication for his ADHD, but after the meeting the teachers told him he needs to come up with a list of 5 things they can do to help him behave better in class, so i'm trying to help him out with that...any help is greatly appreciate.

[anirush]

What medications is he on? We had to change everything for both boys in middle school.

Doe he need to be able to get up and leave the classroom if he feels he is losing control? Is there a classroom aide who can help him stay focused? Do they have a social skills class at the school? These are all some of the things my grandson has in his IEP.

He also goes to a behavior counselor. Medication has helped the most with his anger although he has been on medication that has made the anger much worse in the past.

[Onthemove1971]

Welcome to the group. We are here to support you and help by sharing our experiences. A few things to think about. It is very important to have a person at any meeting that understands children with unique needs. I am not sure who wrote the 504 plan, but they really should be giving you suggestions about how best to help your child in class. Did you have a Special Education teacher help you with the 504 plan? Has your son had a full assessment ( especially from a behavior specialist and psychologist). When children are suspended there is a need for assistance to help them determine why this behavior is happening.

Also, is your son seeing a Child Psychiatrist? They are the best person to help resolve some of these issues. I can not judge if the medication is working, but if he is having so many issues it is time to see a Specialist about it. Sometimes it take 2 different medications to really be effective.

If the 504 plan is not helping then back to adding more supports to help.

Please ask for some different help from the principal.

Good luck.

[Beainthenow11]

It sounds like the school isn’t aware of your son’s NEUROLOGICAL condition. I agree with Onthemove1971, first and foremost you need to request a “full and complete evaluation” for your son. Public school’s employ a host of specialists, some specifically “behavior specialists,” who should be all over this issue but may not be bc he does not have a work up. If your son’s academics or behavior impacts his learning and ability to be in school he should be eligible for an IEP and special education services under OHI(other health impairment) for ADHD and ED (for emotional disturbance.)At this point don’t let labels scare you, the more you can get right now the more support your son can receive at school.

The thing about ODD is that it is displayed (like ADHD) in multiple settings. Is he only like this at school? Did the behaviors just start in middle school? There are so many parts moving in your scenario and in all kids that I would again agree with Onthemove, get your son to a Pediatric Psych and have them help you figure out a course of therapy. Our kids are complicated and need constant med adjustments and therapies. For ODD, parent training was helpful for us bc we learned how to manage our behavior and actions/reactions.

If you’re like me and money isn’t abundant, there are resources out there so don’t give up. Call (in my state it’s 211) and any pediatric hospital to see what your area offers. The school should have a list of resources. NAMI, CHADD, Attitude.org, Understood.org, Child Mind.org, your local Children’s services department. Go to the school district and speak to The Special Education Department and talk to the Social Workers and Licensed Therapist and counselors.

Last, I would discuss with your son what he thinks may help him and what an ideal school would look like, the middle school jump is so difficult and our kids are about three or more years behind in maturity and executive function sometimes so he may be in over his head, I know my so is going to be... he’s in fifth grade now. I’m scared for both of us and I’ve been doing this since second grade. You’re son may not have the upper level thinking, personal insight to “write down five things that will help him behave.” Our kids act out due to frustration, anxiety and lack of emotional control, not to mention any co morbid conditions. It sounds like the school isn’t understanding what is really in play here so the more you can get them in the way of information and the more you show your working to help him with his mental and emotional health, hopefully the more they will be understanding.

I’m sorry you’re going through this, you and your son are not alone. Make the school understand that these behaviors aren’t bc he wants to misbehave but bc he needs help.

Good luck.

[normanadhdadult]

I'm an adult who grew up with ADHD (which was not the name when I was a kid) and ODD. One thing helped me enormously later in life was an older med called Desipramine. I still take it and it works great for me. Things that helped me in school were : sitting in the front row ( less things to distract me). Asking questions of the teacher regarding the topic being discussed helped keep me engaged and interested. Underlining key points in the textbook. Hope these help.