Inappropriate times for touching himself, ADHD, please help!

[FrankenMummy]

This is a very sensitive subject, and i havent found any ideas on how to help him, so i figured I'd put it out there to see if anyone else has experienced this problem. My 6 year old has a problem with touching himself frequently, at home on the couch, and at school. We talked about how there's nothing wrong with it, but that he needs to be in his room or the bathroom and it still continues no matter the location.

He is diagnosed with adhd and anxiety and I've got the suspicion that this occurs at school due to anxiety and at home due to his impulsivity. He's on intuniv 2 mg, and his psychiatrist's only suggestion has been to talk to him about it being a private activity. I've tried to talk to him to see if any sexual abuse has occured but it doesn't seem so, but maybe some emotional abuse in his previous school (they saw him as a "bad kid" and sent him home constantly, eventually kicking him out of kindergarten for the year in February '22).

I'm just looking for someone with a similar experience and what might have helped. I'm greatly embarrassed for him, he has such trouble making friends as is and this behavior isn't helping, and makes me worried that they'll kick him out of school again. Please please if you have had this happen. Share with me what has helped.

Thank you for listening.

[Jorge51]

ADHD

[CommunityParenting]

hi! It sounds like maybe a nervous habit? Or just an unconscious habit, like hair twirling, nail biting, humming. The difference is this habit draws more attention. Did you try redirecting the habit to something like a fidget? Every time you see him touching himself hand him the fidget? Also, my daughters psychiatrist gave us some good advice when redirecting an undesired behavior: tell them what they can do. So in this case “Johnny you can play with the fidget or stuffed animal while out here” or give him the alternative to going to the private location if he needs private time. *but just a disclaimer, my child that has adhd had to be reminded constantly for a loooooong time until the new habit set in. 😀