Any Advice is always welcome!

[Guest guest]

Hi, I'm writing about my almost 11 year old son diagnosed PDD. My son is

lovable, happy, very friendly and most times he's my buddy. He's higher

functioning, he's talked since he's about 4 years old but is also academically

and socially behind in some ways. He has impulse control and behavioral issues.

Now that he is getting older and bigger those punch in the arms are getting a

little stronger. Don't get me wrong, this is not a normal behavior...the

aggressive behavior just pops up it's mean and ugly face a little more often

lately. So I blame it to uncontrollable impulsivity.

Is this a such thing? I believe it is.

So How do we control this while out in public? If it's not ignored or if my

response is not a calm collective one the behavior can escalate quickly which we

all know can result in someone getting hurt.

Could this behavior be caused by an over abundance of sugar intake? I've never

been one to follow any special diets...like gluten free.

Is this a learned behavior cause Mom is so easy going and he knows he will get

away with it in some ways? For example He knows I am not using physical

punishment and he knows that I am surely taking him home with me. I may threaten

(which is a no no with these type of kids) to call the police or take him

somewhere else to live...(like a friend, or relative usually who is very much

stricter than I). He knows I love him and he knows because I tell him he is my

responsibility and I am behind him all the way, I'm his advocate and as long as

he talks to me, uses his words, I'll fight for him forever.

Some of you out there may have a child similiar to mine, some of you may have a

child with a different disorder...maybe bi-polar?

Though this may sound like a strange question but hey, as we've all been told,

No question is bad one right? Here goes:

What is it in the brains of children with behavioral,impulsivity problems that

causes them to just snap like that? Why does the child come to you smiling and

happy and all loving and when you say No to a simple question five minutes later

(we'll go to gamestop another time) they can turn into a raging maniac?

I refuse to keep drugging my kid up. He's on risperdal and zoloft for anxiety

and to help with these negative behaviors. Some med's cause weight gain and many

other side effects as we all know and there has to be other alternatives.

Believe me, we live a life of constant changes. Not purposely making changes,

things just happen and my son needs transition...days, weeks and months...the

longer you give him the better he is. I can explain what I mean more later but

please take that into consideration and understand something as simple as buying

a new toothbrush for us may make my son feel a little " different " that morning

which can set off an unsteady feeling in him that may even last a whole day long

without him even realizing it or being able to communicate it.

By the way,Today, we are having a " mental health " day today because my son

REFUSED to get in the ride to school. I'm done fighting with him, it's been a

long Wed. afternoon into night and I can't keep this up through Thurs. By the

way, he slept about 2 1/2 hrs. to 3 hrs. after he got back into bed this

morning.

Sometimes I wonder if sleep deprivation can cause these behaviors...but

something tells me that it's a lot more than feeling sleepy.

Thanks for listening.