Impulsive behavior vs self control?

[Onthemove1971]

We often encounter situations where our son has no self control. He will go to get a drink and consume 2-3 large cups of juice before we catch him and then have to say no more. Same when he makes chocolate milk, he squeezes way to much chocolate into the milk.

So my question is which comes first and if it is self control, how do we teach this? To me I am wondering if maturity helps, he is way better at 13 years old than he way younger.

Just curious...

[librarianmom]

This is a great question and I see the same in my son. We’re new to the diagnosis and still finding the right meds. I’m assuming for my kiddo that until we know we’ve got the right meds that I’ll focus on helping the impulsivity, and then move in to the rest.

[RichSeitzOceanNJ]

There are things you can do to train the brain in self-control that have been proven to work in clinical studies. The Pax Good Behavior Game for elementary schools has been shown to improve self-control and to reduce every negative behavior that has been measured. Research Pax GBG to see some of the studies. Here's one: NIDA Notes. “Behavior Game Played in Primary Grades Reduces Later Drug-Related Problems.” Volume 23, Number 1, April 2010. National Institute on Drug Abuse.

drugabuse.gov/news-events/n...

However, with schools being closed, one silver lining is that the pieces of Pax that can be done by parents are being shown on YouTube. I will include some links here but please, please, view them all. Understand that they take time to work and consistency on your part is vital to changing the kids' responses.

Pax Tools intro

youtube.com/watch?v=t952q7_...(Not working as expected?)

Pax Breaks

youtu.be/0KgkB8LOgAg(Not working as expected?)

Working from home

youtube.com/watch?v=DYsx5FB...(Not working as expected?)

Good luck

[Onthemove1971 in reply to RichSeitzOceanNJ]

Thanks.. Now that I have had time to think about it, I think that not having self control leads to impulsive behavior.

Yes, I understand the hyperfocus, but when you don't control yourself you are impulsive.

I will look over all the videos.

[Hidden]

My son is soon to be 17 and self control has been one of the biggest issue for him, and after struggling with it for 11 years and counting, we are still no closer to reducing it. I have signed my son up for therapy, and hopefully an unbiased person can help him with this insight. Just curious, as long as my son is being watched, he is able to do expectedly, is this the same case with your son.

[Onthemove1971 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for responding.

Yes.. most of the time it is when we are not watching him.

We are very thankful for medication, which helps him so much, but when it wears off is when we have most of the issues. The medication doesn't change his personality, it just reduces his symptoms.

Take care,