Behavior problems with 8 year old son

Are behavior disorders hereditery? My husband suffered bouts with bi-polar disorder, mild panic attacks, & could not be in crouded places. He is off all meds now and is doing very well since getting a job he enjoys without much stress.
My sister's 15 year old son has been in a lot of trouble in school and misdomeaner crimes. He is now in home schooling but still disrespects authority.
Last year my son was diagnosed with ADD and prescribed Adderall (adderrall) 7 1/2 miligrams once a day before school. He is still having trouble following directions, practicing self control, & listening attentively. His teacher has phoned me twice because he is refusing to obey simple requests. One time he threw his pencil on the floor and crossed his arms when asked to get ready for the spelling test.I am at a loss for a solution. He is this way at home also. It may take 3 requests for him to finally pick up his clothes or take a bath. If I list 3 or more things for him to do he says that confuses him and he gets frustrated. I ask him to do one thing at a time now and he does better. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I don't want to add or increase his medicine.
Thanks, Laura

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

Dear Laura,

We know that particular types of emotional disorder have a strong genetic link. Examples are schizophrenia, mood disorders and anxiety disorders. There is also evidence that certain of the Disruptive Behavior Disorders (e.g., Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) are genetically linked. At this time, there is not such strong evidence, but it may be very likely, that other Disruptive Behavior Disorders (e.g., Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Conduct Disorder) have a genetic component as well.

Oppositionality, while not in itself a criterion of ADHD, is often associated with ADHD. It may well be that your son is showing signds of Oppositional Defiant Disorder, a condition which is often associated with ADHD.

Relative to intervention, you'll have to develop a systematic plan to address your son's oppositional behavior. Your note indicates that you are in the habit of telling him repeatedly to do things. You need to break this habit, otherwise he won't take you seriously. Two directions is plenty. If compliance is not forthcoming, implemement time out for a period of ten-fifteen minutes, using a timer to track the time and only starting the timer when your son is quiet and in the designated time out space). If you employ the SEARCH function in this Forum, you'll see replies to other people's questions about this sort of behavior (representing probably the most widespraed complaint of parents across the country).

Relative to medication, the rule of thumb is to employ the lowest possible dose that brings about a good clinical result. If you are going to use medication, you may as well have it achieve its optimal effect. This may or may not be occurring. While your son may not require additional medication, he very well might. So, I think you should consider having an open mind on that issue and discuss it with the prescribing physisican.