Please help! My son is 11. I have taken him to professionals since the age of 3. He is in a special ED classes and has been since 1st grade. He retook Kindergarten twice. Over the years he has developed better in school and socially, but I still have many concerns. Treatment has included different medications that all had unbearable side effects. I decided about 2 years ago that I would try do alternative treatments that have help, but not enough. He has low self-esteem issues, concentration problems, gets mad (hits pillow) and cries constantly, socially awkward, overeager to make friends, picks on and bullies sibling repeatedly, short-term memory, knows he is different, eager to please, lazy speech, at my heels all the time, addicted to video games and TV (not interested in toys or crafts), very competitive, and so on. His frustration level has increased recently and I'm not sure how to handle it all. I've taken him to councilors many times in the past, but seemed like a huge waste of time. His reaction to them is "I don't know" to everything they say and sits there smiling and still like he doesn't get what's going on. He forgets most of what was said by the time we get to the car. He had gene testing with nothing coming up positive. I don't even know if he is diagnosed right. I
I believe he is smarter than realized (reported 68 IQ at age of 6) and his teacher even wants to challenge him with on grade level work, but the ADD and low self-esteem issues are getting in the way. I would love to keep him off meds and introduce heavy vitamin regulated diet therapy, but worried about what such heavy vitamins could do to his internal organs over the years. Not to mention my insurance doesn't cover alternative therapy. How would you handle this situation if it were your child? I'm considering more therapy, but don't know what kind is the best or if it is even worth going to due to his attitude. He is a very sweet child with a lot of potential. I want the best for him and not sure if I'm hindering him in any way. Please help. Ty