Child with Down syndrome and behavior issues

[kathy1963]

My 7 year old son has Down syndrome.  He is a joy to be with.  He does have impulsive behavior.  His behavior isn't always impulsive, but when he is, he is uncontrollable.  Has anyone had any success in diet or natural medicines to help with impulsive behavior?  An MD prescribed risperdal for him, but we don't feel comfortable giving an antipsychotic med to a 7 yr. old.

[SimplyStar]

You might go read about BrightSpark   it is a product of nativeremedies.com    I know this natural  product is safe because it is being used by my now 10 year old grandson  for ADHD  he has had it for 3 years now,   they wanted to put him on ritalin,  we refused and tried this,  he really became a different chiild.  Most children with DS do not have complusive behaviors.  You might want to get him tested for Autism?  Is your son in a school program?  

[kathy1963]

Thank you for your suggestion.  He is in a school program, he's in a regular ed class with co-taught reading and pulled out for math.  He's very bright and very social.  We've had him evaluated for Autism and ADHD and neither was diagnosed or suggested.  A psychiatrist (who charged us an arm and a leg) met him for two hours and said he by no means has autism, but he has some autistic tendencies, ie the impulsive behavior.  She wrote out the prescription for risperdal and said she'd put together a behavioural plan for him, in conjuction with his teachers.  I haven't seen the results of the eval for the behaviour plan, but after two months of meds, I just felt like it wasn't right.  I want to try something natural.  I don't want to mask symptoms, I want to deal with them.  I'll check out nativeremedies.com.  Thank you so much.

[Clamity2]

Hi Kathy, I have a son who has Down Syndrome he is 10 , 11 on Nov 28. He is now in 4th grade. He had some problem behaviors last year , such as throwing himself on the floor and refusing to get up if he was going somewhere he didn't want to go. I have found several thing that may have contributed to his acting out. 1. He needs quite a bit of phsyical exercise. It helped. 2. He was pulled out for 2 years of K into a "resource room" which had some severe children that were often crying or screaming and needless to saw it about drove him crazy. I put my foot down and said he would be home schooled before he would enter that room another year. He learned about nothing there, except he did have alot of compasion for the others and prayed for them nightly and still does.He doesnt take any "drugs per say" but is on Nutrivene-D Daily supplement vitimans made especially for DS . He has taken these since 6 mos and has been ill about 7 times in his life. Very little compared to "normal"kids I care for. Does he like swimming? Playing with water really sooths my son. Loves to "help". put away dishes dust, Talk to other moms .  I have many special needs children I care for . But little "D" is mine and the best thing that has ever happened in my life.

[SimplyStar]

Sounds like you very much have all your ducks in a row.  Had to laugh at your description of the some of the behaviors presented by your son, reminded me, of one my son decided to "act out" there was a child in one of the lower grades that had seizures and my son decided he would copy that , he would fall to the floor and copy the shakeing and the whole thing, I would get called to the school to pick him up.  I finally got them convinced that  he was just copying the boys action.  My son is now 37 and is quite a help to me, works every day from 9 to 3, he is a very independent person. Any child can be a challenge in those early years, stick it out and you will find the charming person they develope into.

[Clamity2]

Yea I hear ya. He really copys the treak sound but still remembers to pray for the person every night. But It is important that we make sure our children have a environment that provides the learning needs. Such as nobody screaming or crying for long periods without the loud person having a aide to work elsewhere. I know my son in his hysterical laughing stage surly disturbed others, but would have benfited from a run around the playground  a few times. He loves to run and is calmed by hiking and running  I know he will be great. I went to the last DS convention in my  area. I didnt meet anyone with DS I wouldnt want around.

[patbag]

my friends down syndrome son (who is 23yrs) has recently begun hitting and spitting at people. usually her son is so peaceful and never violent.  are there any suggestions?????  she is at her wits end.

[SimplyStar]

There has to be a reason, try to find out what it is that is bothering him.  Something new added to his schedule?  Get those involved to keep track of when it happens and what happened just before, see if there is a pattern.  I he in a day work program, if so, get his supervisor to help. it takes time to find out behaviors that start up, but it is worth it in the long run, because these types of behaviors can be retrained and avoided.  Good Luck

[alpeh070764]

father in texas cries out for help and for answers....my son is also down syndrome....he was very sociable and would communicate with us all the time....he is 10 n for the last 5 mths...wow...what a change...he speaks to him...fights with someone he sees....throws rages.... i dont know what is happening to him....ive taken him to psychiatrists..doctors......everyone gives me diff answers....thats is just puberty....harmones r not balanced.....one doctor gave him zolof...one day he took it...he really looked bad.....no respond...he looked crazy....WHAT IS HAPPENING....HOW CAN I HELP MY SON ALEX...PLEASE I NEED ANSWERS

[alpeh070764]

father in texas....i need answers.....is my down syndrome son really going psychotic........will he ever come back to us the way he was a couple of mths ago.....what should i give him.......any natural thing to control hes speaking to invisible friends..i mean he always had them but now he gets mad or scared of them....when he gets mad he throws chairs and bangs his hands hard on the table....is this normal....he blinks his eyes very rapidly sometimes.....please email me at ***@****

[sailingpeach]

my grandson is 10y.  he has been sent home every day from school early this week.  Needless to say, this is reaking havoc on their marriage also.  My son, work for 5 years in a "State School" for mentally disabled and saw many of his clients with Down Syndrome put on medications.  He is so afraid to start Taylor on meds. but after this week, he is ready to try anything.  Is there a specialist that anyone would recommend,  some pediatrition that specializes in behavior problems with Down children?  I have read the previous posts and they sound encouraging.  Maybe this is a stage, I think that alone would give them hope.

[leaha]

I know someone with a 3 year old down syndrome child and at times she can be extremely violent with other children. I witnessed her violently attack another child and she assulted my 1 year old granddaughter. Her mom doesn't do a whole lot about it. I think that she feels like the child has been punished enough with her disease. She is also very hyper active.
I hear that down syndrome children are normally very quiet and mild mannered. Why would this child be so different?

[robby033]

"I think that she feels like the child has been punished enough with her disease"
Wow, that is a pretty bold & arrogant assumption for you to make lady. Every child is very different, down syndrome or not. The problem comes from people like you who assume and uses words like, "violently attacks" & "assaults" to justify your lack of knowledge regarding children with special needs. That really isn't helping a lot of the mothers here asking for simple advice or help. Your fueling most of the arrogant misconceptions about down syndrome children. I'm a 23 year old guy, my baby sister is 3 and has down syndrome. I absolutely LOVE her and would not want her any other way! She has her little temper but not really any different than her peers. Some days she's shy, other days she's hyper. Your granddaughter is only 1 and this child is 3? Its almost natural for an older child to be dominant over a younger one, playground or at home. All it takes is patients and understanding. Children with DS are use to routine. In my sisters case, keeping her active seems to help a lot when she acts up, we have her paint, walk with her around the block, read to her, swim with her, and most importantly pay lots of attentions to her. Another thing, they mimic very quickly. It's almost very sincere and innocent the way they do. If they see somehing done a certain way, they will register that as the proper way to execute that behavior, emotion or activity. Mothers, try your best to be patient and keep researching, keep having the childrens busy and active. I try to do my best to understand and help my parents. Leaha, maybe you should try your best to understand.

[granny330]

have a 5 yr old grandson, that is very loveable. yet when he comes over, he manages to lock himself in both bathrooms, and goes around locking all the doors with locks on them.  
It is if he is just looking to see what he can get into, Now he not only does this at my house but he does this at home as well.  My poor daughter is just exhausted at the end of each day.  He is not potty trained yet either,  If you have some advice for us.  Please let us know.
Texas Grandma

[kim0601]

Hi Granny.
I have an 8 yr old son that is very compulsive with doors as well.  He has a tendency to shut every open door.   He has even locked me outside when I was tending to the garden.   On closer evaluation  I noticed there are a few other behaviors that he has that is compulsive. For example he likes to "jiggle" blankets and stuffed animals.   Awareness is always the most important factor is modifying behavior.  Before your grandson goes to the bathroom get down on your knees to eye level (make sure he's looking you in the eye do not let him look away) remind him not to lock the door.   After you hear he toliet flush immediately tell him how proud you are that he had not locked the door.   Though he may not been offered the chance to lock the door yet, he will enjoy the praise and refraining from locking the door.  He, instead will come immediately out of the bathroom to receive the praise and hugs. '                Potty training is always difficult.  My 8 yr old is potty trained and understands the concept.  However, I still have tolieting issues as well.   If their routine or schedule changes or if their is stress in the environment then tolieting will become an issue.  Wetting is how they express stress.  Alot of the time they are not able to verbalize how they feel.   The only thing they can control is wetting.   Sometimes it is just a matter of not thinking to go or not wanting to stop playing to go to the bathroom.  Remind him every hour to go to the potty.   Watch fluid intake.  Also, try a sticker chart.   If he can stay dry all week than a reward is warranted at the end of the week.    (Trust me I am still go through this.   However, this tactics limit the frequency).   You may want to check with the urologist to make sure he does not have issues with his bladder.

[karen78]

HI all,

My nice is a 11yr old beautiful girl living inside a 3 to 4 year olds mind. I wish I could read her mind sometimes because she really has no idea how strong and big she is compared to my 3 year old, who she plays with as if they were the same age. Over the past couple of years her behavior has become outrageous. She hits, pushes, swares, grabs, and is very aware of her behaviors! When she gets angry and the younger kids(2-3yr olds) she may very well strike them as if they were her own size.  Maybe this is hormones adding fuel to the fire but if she can hurt a small child intentionally and not even stop to think before she does it there is a HUGE problem. Alot of the time her mother brushes it off like it's not a big deal, but it's only because someone has'nt gotten seriously hurt yet! I"m afraid to leave the younger kids around her while playing in the playroom without supervision.

Just the other day she had a HUGE outburst and punched her 2 year old brother in the back knocking the wind out of him. He did pinch her but what ever the reason there is no need. Shes old enough to know the difference.

I dread a visit from her most times as she comes and literally DUMPS everything in the house! If theres a teddy on the bed it gets thrown off, pillows, blankets, throws, anything Just yesterday my 3 yr old son and I built a house out of the new dryer box. It took us the whole day and he was so proud. The minute she got into the playroom she tipped it over and flattened it to the ground!!! Then began ripping it up. When asked about what she had done her only reply was sorry mom, I'm sorry no time out. And ofcourse there was no timeout.   Makes me so mad sometimes cause I love her and wish that things where different as my son has such a connection with her and loves to see her come. But play usually ends within the first hour and she has either pushed, grabbed, ect or something. My son is no angel and at the age of 3 he's just beginning to be a little man! But shes old enough to know the differnce and does know the difference! Sometimes she pretends not to hear you, or pretends that shes dosent know what your talking about to avoid something. I'm so fet up! What the heck can I do when they are here and something like this happens. Her mother makes excuses for her all the time, takes her two kids 2yr old and 11yr old with DS into peoples houses and lets them go.....food everywhere, toys everywhere, screaming all the time, yet I still love them.

I see the frustration in the families face whenever theres a get together, she always acts out in someway. What do I do when this happens?

I'm not bashing any mother who is raising a child with DS but please be aware of these types of issues as other people around you are very aware that they are present. Deal with the problem rather then pushing it under the rug, these children need the extra disicpline and perhaps the help of a doctor to see where the aggression and manic episodes are coming from.

Her grandmother and father have many issues such as bi-polar, manci depression, ect could it be signs of whats to come....

[tracey_25]

my son is 7 and has mosiac downs syndrome i am 25 with a daughter of 5, for the past 2 years i have noticed him self timulating on toys and recently he tried it on his sister. i had the school on the fone 2day and have to go see them as they say they have had to remove him from class. he goes to restbite once a month for the past year and  they have noticed him doing it, im quite afraid of wot the school will say. i just dont no wot to do i dont no if he is still too young to be maturing in that sense as wen he goes to bed his hands are straight down his pull up and he is constantly fiddling with himself. if any1 has any hints or tips or knows of any help availible i would be truely grateful. many thanks tracey

[bubbaboy]

I HAVE A 7YEAR OLD WITH DOWN SYNDROME. HE IS THE LOVE OF MY LIFE. LATELY HE WILL NOT LISTEN TO ME OR ANYONE AROUND HIM. HE YELLS AT ME. I DONT UNDERSTAND WHY HE IS GETTING SO MAD. HE KNOWS HOW TO TALK, HE IS FULLY POTTY TRAINED. IF I DONT LET HIM DO WHAT HE WANTS TO DO WHEN HE WANTS TO DO IT HE GETS REALLY MAD AND JUST YELLS AND DOESNT LISTEN AT ALL. IM NOT SURE WHAT TO DO. IM A SINGLE MOTHER AND HE GOES TO HIS DADS EVERYOTHER WEEKEND. I ALSO HAVE A 5 YEAR OLD THAT COMES OVER ON THE WEEKENDS HE IS HOME SO THEY CAN SEE EACHOTHER, AND HE SEEMS TO LOVE IT. I JUST DONT KNOW WHAT I AM DOING WRONG.

[draxx]

need help my loverly 11 old son is getting to be uncontolable at times for no reason he starts throughing things around furniture computer table and once even the t.v. there does not seem to be any reason that starts this he can be good as gold one secound the next its like a swithch has benn turned inside his head. i need help from someone who has downs experience as all i get from social services is it must be me and threats that they will take him away from me.. HELP HELP or am i going mad

[lilspix]

I have an 11-year-old son with Down Syndrome and he his typically a good child for the most part.  But, he also has some behavioral issues of his own.  He has compulsive behavior with hitting me and often scratching me on my hands usually when he finishes on the toilet and then time for bed.  He doesn't do this when his father is home; only when we are at home alone. Are there any alternatives other than medication for him, preferably natural or other tactics..   I would like your feedback on this issue, plz..

I welcome your comments.
Thanks
Frustrated DC Mom