esclating aggressive behavior

[thall]

My daughter was diagnosed with CP, sensory intetgration, ADHD, and had suffer from seizures, but has been seizure free for about 3 years (so we think, nothing witnessed).  She was first on trileptal, then added keppra, then d/c'd the trileptal.  About 1 1/2 years ago they d/c'd her keppra, due to being seizure free for a couple of years and her dose was so low that on her last labs it did not even register.  She got very ill in February of this year with the flu, then strep throat....after that she was not the same.  Her behavior is getting worse.  She is in kindergarten in a special needs program and she had been suspended from school 3 times from March to May, for her aggressive behavior.  Hitting, kicking, biting, scratching, choking (other children and trying to choke teachers, and has tried to choke me as well).  We went to the neurologist, physcologist and physciatrist.  They then started her back on meds, this time they tried depokote, which did not really help, then the pediatrician added adderall to try to help with the impulsiveness (which has helped some).  the neurologist the took her off the depokote and tried lamictal, which she had a rash with so they had to d/c that too.  right now she is not on anything except the adderall which does seem to help very little, but it does.  she has these melt downs, and I try to remain calm, but I really feel like falling apart.  I just want to know what is wrong with my daughter and why she is acting this way.  She does not sleep well, she is very active in her sleep.  I feel like I am at such a loss, I don't know what else to do for her.  Has anyone else delt with the same issues and have any advise or suggestions???


This discussion is related to Rage - behavior problem or seizure?.

[concernedparent808]

Could she have P.A.N.D.A.S?  Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated Strep. Need to find a neurologist that acknowledges this condition.

[888mom]

I have a 2 1/2 year old who was recently diagnosed with PDD (pervasive developmental disorder, part of the autistic spectrum).  She has a lot of sensory issues which will cause her to have meltdowns.  We started distinguishing between her tantrums from not getting what she wants and tantrums from either sensory issues or needing to have sameness or keeping to a ritual/routine.  The tantrums with the not getting what she wants, we discipline her and don't tolerate anything.  Her fits on those issues have almost completely gone away (also it helps she is ending the terrible two age).

With sensory issues in children, you have to figure out what sets them off.  I have over-sensitive senses myself, so I know what going through life is like with that.  Figuring out what senses she is over or under sensitive to helps.  Sometimes people will crave one sense and avoid another.  Sometimes they will crave something that will overstimulate them.  Anyways, figuring out what is called a "sensory diet" if you haven't already should help you.  My daughter has also been goign through sensory integration therapy and that has also helped her immensely.

Sensory integration disorder/dysfunction can occur without autism or with other disorders such as ADHD.   Not sleeping properly can also cause it's own problems.  Is the medicine keeping her awake?  Sometimes a side effect of medication is not sleeping.  I know one parent who gives her 2 year old melatonin to help him sleep.  This helps with some people but can have the reverse effect on others, so you'd want to check with your child's pediatrician before dosing it out.  How much she would take would probably depend on her age and weight.  Or possibly the doctor might say it's a big no no.

How old is she?  Is she a preteen/teen going through hormonal changes?  I know with PDD/autism, kids can get aggressive during this time period and have more difficulties.

[margypops]

How old is she?Could be Med related but ask your Doc about that,what happens just before a meltdown,write it down, does she have a confrontataion with you or anyone else ,has she older siblings or younger ones.Ask her how she feels talk to her Observe what is happening to cause the" Meltdowns"You may find an answer.