I'm not familiar with all the abbreviations used in the forum, so please bear with a newbie!
My situation does not seem to be unique. My husband and I have been married for 4 years and we have a combined family of six children. My youngest step son has been a challenge for as long as I can remember, but about a year ago things really ramped up! He has been diagnosed with ADHD, bipolar, ODD and then some. He lives with his mother and we have visitation. Although we live 4 hours away, we regularly visit with the children. Last summer when they arrived for their extended visit (1 month) within the first 3 days the wheels fell off the wagon. We had experienced behavioral issues with him before, but never to the degree that was soon apparent. I will not go into details about specifics, however as some point he "ran away" to the back yard and hid from us, watching us "hunt for him". He regularly steals, lies, hides food throughout the house so he does not have to eat the things he does not care for. He gets up during the night and eats sweet treats. He has even gone so far as sneaking food to the back yard (which is fenced) and sneaks out at night to eat the treats. Last year he was locked out by accident when he was sneaking food outside. NOTHING we have tried works. His Mom is non-cooperative with communicating with his Dad and we feel like we are way out of our league. He takes Respirdal and a myriad of pills in order to "control his behavior". Two years ago he was treated in an inhouse behavior facility (medical facility) for six weeks. In the end they decided that he required Lithium. He stayed on Lithium for a year with NO perceivable improvements. In fact, his behavior seem to worsen and developed severe speech impairment and weight gain. As a family, we decided to ween him from the Lithium. The behavior is the same, but his speech has improved. I need help!! I'm researching like crazy in order to prepare for our extended visit this summer. His mother considers our situation here a "personality conflict" between my step son and myself. The child lies excessively about how "mean" I am to him. I have three biological children and have a very healthy relationship with them and my two other step children. I just don't know how to discipline my step with ODD. ANY suggestions would be wonderful. I'm willing to try anything. My anxiety about the upcoming visit is at fever pitch.
My situation does not seem to be unique. My husband and I have been married for 4 years and we have a combined family of six children. My youngest step son has been a challenge for as long as I can remember, but about a year ago things really ramped up! He has been diagnosed with ADHD, bipolar, ODD and then some. He lives with his mother and we have visitation. Although we live 4 hours away, we regularly visit with the children. Last summer when they arrived for their extended visit (1 month) within the first 3 days the wheels fell off the wagon. We had experienced behavioral issues with him before, but never to the degree that was soon apparent. I will not go into details about specifics, however as some point he "ran away" to the back yard and hid from us, watching us "hunt for him". He regularly steals, lies, hides food throughout the house so he does not have to eat the things he does not care for. He gets up during the night and eats sweet treats. He has even gone so far as sneaking food to the back yard (which is fenced) and sneaks out at night to eat the treats. Last year he was locked out by accident when he was sneaking food outside. NOTHING we have tried works. His Mom is non-cooperative with communicating with his Dad and we feel like we are way out of our league. He takes Respirdal and a myriad of pills in order to "control his behavior". Two years ago he was treated in an inhouse behavior facility (medical facility) for six weeks. In the end they decided that he required Lithium. He stayed on Lithium for a year with NO perceivable improvements. In fact, his behavior seem to worsen and developed severe speech impairment and weight gain. As a family, we decided to ween him from the Lithium. The behavior is the same, but his speech has improved. I need help!! I'm researching like crazy in order to prepare for our extended visit this summer. His mother considers our situation here a "personality conflict" between my step son and myself. The child lies excessively about how "mean" I am to him. I have three biological children and have a very healthy relationship with them and my two other step children. I just don't know how to discipline my step with ODD. ANY suggestions would be wonderful. I'm willing to try anything. My anxiety about the upcoming visit is at fever pitch.