My 8 (almost 9) year old son bites

My main question is, what is the significance, if any of an 8 year old still biting?

My son recently just got in trouble at school for biting a boy that held up his hand to him. This was the second time in a week that he acted out. The first incidence was him throwing a rock at a boys leg during recess who isn't nice to him. My son is the oldest of 4 kids. He is very brilliant, i.e. reads a full chapter book every other day. A year ago we've moved to another country where we enrolled him in that countries school. He had a difficult time adjusting. After moving again (within a  year) closer to the city with a big yard for the kids to play in, he is now in the American School. He likes it a lot better there. And we ask him how he likes it and he says he does and seems to be doing a lot better. We went back to our old town and he didn't even want to be there at all. We also had a fire at the old house, (a laptop caught on fire) and it was pretty traumatic for all of us. Not sure if that could be related to anything.

He occasionally bites his brother (closest to him in age who's 6) at home when he felt like his space was violated. He's not using his words to communicate which we try and often reinforce for him to do. He gets in trouble for this but nothing seems to work (taking away toys, or video games which he's only allowed to play on the weekend anyways etc). This is the first time he has acted aggressively like this outside the home.

The school is recommending him see the school pshychiatrist which my husband and I are hesitant in doing. Is this something that he will grow out of, and will sending him to the school psychologist make it into a bigger deal than normal? Or is it a good idea to have him go talk to someone other than us the parents. I met with the school psychologist (we are limited in our options in another country) and she seemed nice. However, when I mentioned wanting to sit in on the first few meetings with him, the mood got really weird and she didn't like that at all and said that it won't happen. I'm protective of my son who is sensitive in the first place and want to do the best thing for him. Suggestions???


This discussion is related to My 8 yr old son has started Biting~.

[littlebit667]

this is a very good article on biting

http://ceep.crc.uiuc.edu/poptopics/biting.html

Does your son have problems with chewing, eating certain food textures, problems with clothing tags, socks, certain type of shoes or clothing??