my 8year old son hits himself, hits me, hits other children

i have had on going issues like this since my son was a baby. i know that probably sounds silly but i knew this behaviour was not"normal". nursery would always call me in and say hes done this and done that. like hit or bit other children. so when he started school and they was always sending him home for simular behaviour i went to the doctors who referred us to a peadiatrician. because my sons father does not live with us they are putting his behaviour down to this. i feel this is so un fair as my son has a relationship with his father and sees him on a regular basis. my son wont think before he acts. he is a poor eater and a poor sleeper. he also as issues with putting cards in a particular order and becomes angry and upset if he was to drop the cards and they come out their place. please help me as all this is affecting his education as he constantly in trouble at school. he finds it very hard to interact with friends or to keep the friendship aswel. theres just so much and all the peaditrician does is take his height and weight all the time and dismisses any medical issue.

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

He should be evaluated by a pediatric mental health professional, not by a pediatrician. Contact the insurance company responsible for his health care and you will learn how to gain access to mental health services.