Ever since Spring Break, Chris has been getting worse, and worse. Typically, when his meds stop working, it's not hugely drastic. It's noticeable, but the symptoms creep up before becoming uncontrollable. Over the last week, it feels like all we're doing is telling him to stop doing this, or stop doing that, or taking things away, or getting upset with him.
It has been a very drastic decline in his medications, and he's exhibiting signs of rage that he's never had before. He has an appointment tomorrow, and we'll take him off this med, and revisit an older one for now, while I wait for a psych eval.
Yesterday morning was so rough, I told Nick that I was almost expecting a call home. I didn't get one. Today, though, I did.
Chris apparently traded pens with a kid in his class yesterday. They were the same pen- short, chunky, and kind of fitted for a childs hand. Chris had a blue one, the other kid had green, which is Chris's favorite color. Anyway, last night Chris was all about the pen.
This morning, he had it with him when we left, but at some point, he lost the pen, then he just lost it in class. He'd already was being disruptive in class before he lost it- burping, making sounds, and being annoying, which of course, disrupts the whole class.
I know exactly what they are talking about, too, because he's been doing it at home. If he DOES have Tourettes, it's classic signs of the tics becoming more out of control, which is a side effect of being on stimulation medications for ADHD- basically, a constant need to make noise.
So, he loses the pen and gets upset- then basically throws his desk, tipping it over in the process, and dumping all his stuff out of it.
He's in the office and being quiet right now. The principal asked me for a recommendation on what to do (I explained what he's been like at home, and told him we have the appointment tomorrow). We finally settled on having him return to class with the stipulation that if anything happens again- any more disruptive or aggressive behavior, and I would pick him up immediatly.
If he winds up staying at the school, I think I'll sign him out at lunch, and eat with him in the car to talk with him a bit, and find out what is going on, and how he's feeling.
This is going to be a long week yet.
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Comments: 22
I hope everything is cleared up soon.
Have they brought up behavioral ed for him? They work on the things they are having trouble with- the anger, anxiety, the noises. They even work on social skills that Zachary is having trouble developing naturally on his own. I'm still not sure I like the whole idea but I know it is helping him in some ways.
While in his regular school they did things like give him a seat cushion to move on, chewing bracelets and necklaces, weights to carry around in the hallways. They would work to start but when they stopped working (hands started flailing around while carrying the weights, the seat cushion became a ride) they moved on to a new tactic. Each attempt kept certain things under control for a few days or weeks.
I don't know the answers and I wish I could help you more.
I'll be thinking of you I know what you are going through and it's NOT easy.
My son has told me sometimes he does these things and they are already done before he realizes he has done them.
I wish there was just some answer as to how to help these kids, because it's not a good situation for them or us.
Did you ever consider getting a genetic test? There are certain genetic issues that can actually cause a predisposition for certain behavioral issues. I don't know, it is just a thought, but I can imagine that as a parent it would be nice to know if there is a reason, why he actually develop these problems.
I've never thought about Genetic testing, just psych, but that's something I'll keep in mind. So far, no more phone calls, so I'm guessing he chilled out in class. I'm planning to have him eat lunch with me outside, away from the other kids, just so we can talk a bit, and see what's going on. Maybe that'll help. He's had a sub in the afternoon class the past 2 days, so I'm hoping his regular teacher is back- she handles him so much better than his morning teacher does.
I don't know much about Tourettes, but I hope that you get some help tomorrow:)