I dont know if my stepson has a behavorial problem?

[dsas]

I dont know whether we should have my 6 year old stepson checked for bipolar? His mother is severly bipolar, and it runs in her family. When he was younger he would scream and throw fits for 45 minutes at time, for no reason! We seemed to get that under control becuase he doesnt really act out at home anymore, except the fact that he always seems to boss his little sister around, and when he goes to his grandfathers, he tells him "You betteer get me a drink now" or anything like that.
Now he is in Kindergarden, and he gets notes sent home all the time! Ever since the beginning of the year, we thought he would straighten up, but he just keeps getting more notes. For example, he SPITS on other kids in his class (which he never does at home, nor does he see us doing it!) his teacher said he nitpicks the other kids while they try to do their work, he hits boys and girls and is just mean to them. We were giving him money for lunch also, and a few weeks into school, I got a letter from the cafeteria (sent in the mail) saying we owe them almost $40, they said they'd been sending notes home.. BUt we never recieved ANY of them. SO I went through my stepsons bookbag, and found them, PLUS other notes from his teacher, hidden in another compartment. So we started writing checks for his lunch, because we dont know what hes doing with the cash?
Just yesterday the teacher emailed me and told me that my stepson stabbed another student with a pencil. And hes been caught trying to steal from school? Hes only in kindergarden, and we just dont know what to do with him? He doesnt behave like that at home.

[CG24]

Hello. My son was diagnosed correctly as bi polar at age 6. He is 20 now.  Some of what you mentions sounds the same. Behaviors can be very different from home versus school. My son was "perfect" for sitters.  Classic phrases : "I want someone to cut my head open" or something to that effect.  My son knew his brain felt different and he wanted it to change.  Childhood bi-polar is extremely difficult to live with -for the child and the parents and siblings.  Violence can occur unexpected and unprovoked. Spitting was a behavior with my son. Cussing is common - even if not spoken in the home !  My son told one of his nurses "My sister is a stripper and has HIV"  He did not even have a sister - we had no idea he knew the term "HIV" !!  Nick ws hospitalized twice and we tried meds but had to stop - he was suffering severe physical problems with any meds. I worked with behaviorial specialists for years. My best advice is see a good child psychiatrist - get a second opinion also - try meds and hope that one works.  I do beleive the best long term hope is the right meds.  My son did not take meds and then as he got older he refused to consider any. He is 20 and is severely bi-polar - will not seek help and will not consider meds.  His prognosis is not good but not all cases are like this.  Connecting with a great dr or two is my best advice.  (and finding other moms and dads with bipolar kids - it can get lonely since the behaviors are hard for others to grasp if they are not experiencing it.
All the best.

[Natta1980]

Bipolar disorder defenitely runs in families. But usually, you will see "behaviors" across all settings. Sounds like you got his behavior under control ast home. Look into behavior management plan - this way school and you are consistent, and you are on the same page of what will happen. You will pick target behaviors you want to deal with, set goals and develope methods to deal with behaviors. It is very systematic, and in case if somethings pops up at home again - you will be able to deal with it in the same manner as school does. It is very important to figure out what triggeres this behavior and what is he trying to accomplish with it. Does he get sent to the office? He maybe misbehaving in order to get out of some type of activity. Thorough analysis of behaviors of my son at preschool revealed that whenever a room would get too noisy/stimulating, he would act out to be sent to the office, which was quiet and calmed him down. They set up a "reading hut" in their room - and now when it is too much for him, he goes there and "reads". He joins back when he is ready