gcvmom
Here we go again!
Took difficult child 2 back to the university hospital where we thought we were meeting with a psychologist who specializes in kids with severe ADHD and mood disorders to discuss any possible behavior managment tips I could use to help smooth things between difficult child 2 and the rest of the family while he's getting his medications sorted out. He also needs help with his self esteem because he's constantly annoying everyone so he's the target of a lot of hostility right now.
Apparently, this therapist says she could advise us on medications to try, but is just starting her training on behaviorial interventions as of TODAY! So she excused herself to go talk to her supervisor about what to tell us! Sheesh!
In a nutshell, I'm not doing anything wrong with how I'm managing difficult child 2 (that was probably the best thing I've heard anyone say to me in a very, very long time, especially after mother in law was out here and decided that difficult child 2's problem was inconsistent and incorrect discipline -- since he's always just fine with her and only acts up when I'm around)... but the bad news is that there's nothing more I can really do that will change things for him until the medications are right, and that will just take pretty much the rest of the summer.
She did talk to difficult child 2 for a bit, and gave him some good things to think about for himself -- like the fact that he'll probably always be better than most kids at seeing the "big picture" when he's on the field for soccer (although he'll probably also always frustrate his coaches because it will be hard for him to listen to them). He really listened intently to her on that.
So I'm on to my list of other therapist possiblities after this second strike-out... left a message for another hopeful this afternoon.
I took the advice some of you gave about scheduling more activities for difficult child 2 and signed him up for swim lessons which started today, and a sports/fitness camp that will be a good outlet for his energy -- he goes to that with easy child in two weeks when difficult child 1 is away for his Crohn's camp. I've also been trying to get everyone outside daily for a few hours of vigorous activities -- yesterday was biking in the regional park, today we hit the beach for body surfing in the late afternoon. I think it's helping a bit for all of us :smile:
He's up to 750mg Depakote now and we'll probably do labs again at the end of next week and I'm pretty sure he'll need to go higher on his dosing. He is still soooo out of control with his impulses, still gets very angry sometimes, but that seems to be getting a little better. Even husband, who normally is fairly clueless about stuff like this, thinks he's seeing some improvements in him. I sure hope we're on the right path. Life is just too hard right now.
Apparently, this therapist says she could advise us on medications to try, but is just starting her training on behaviorial interventions as of TODAY! So she excused herself to go talk to her supervisor about what to tell us! Sheesh!
In a nutshell, I'm not doing anything wrong with how I'm managing difficult child 2 (that was probably the best thing I've heard anyone say to me in a very, very long time, especially after mother in law was out here and decided that difficult child 2's problem was inconsistent and incorrect discipline -- since he's always just fine with her and only acts up when I'm around)... but the bad news is that there's nothing more I can really do that will change things for him until the medications are right, and that will just take pretty much the rest of the summer.
She did talk to difficult child 2 for a bit, and gave him some good things to think about for himself -- like the fact that he'll probably always be better than most kids at seeing the "big picture" when he's on the field for soccer (although he'll probably also always frustrate his coaches because it will be hard for him to listen to them). He really listened intently to her on that.
So I'm on to my list of other therapist possiblities after this second strike-out... left a message for another hopeful this afternoon.
I took the advice some of you gave about scheduling more activities for difficult child 2 and signed him up for swim lessons which started today, and a sports/fitness camp that will be a good outlet for his energy -- he goes to that with easy child in two weeks when difficult child 1 is away for his Crohn's camp. I've also been trying to get everyone outside daily for a few hours of vigorous activities -- yesterday was biking in the regional park, today we hit the beach for body surfing in the late afternoon. I think it's helping a bit for all of us :smile:
He's up to 750mg Depakote now and we'll probably do labs again at the end of next week and I'm pretty sure he'll need to go higher on his dosing. He is still soooo out of control with his impulses, still gets very angry sometimes, but that seems to be getting a little better. Even husband, who normally is fairly clueless about stuff like this, thinks he's seeing some improvements in him. I sure hope we're on the right path. Life is just too hard right now.