Discipline solutions?

[ErinN2001]

I have a seven year old son who I suspect has ADHD.  It has come up before with teachers but they and I felt it was just to early to get into diagnosing him or medicating him.  This summer, however, I'm at my wits end.

He has a tendency to act out toward his siblings that I am very concerned about.  It's not a problem at school as much but if he's frustrated or his feelings are hurt he's not unlikely to lash out and I've become aware that I'm just waiting for the day when someone is seriously hurt.  I'm worried about his self-esteem too.  His brothers and sisters frequently blurt out things like "You ruin everything!" and "That's why no one likes you!"  And finally, he pushes me to my limit almost every day.  I try to give him opportunities to talk about his feelings but he never seems to engage.  He avoids making eye contact when the subject is unpleasant, he doesn't want to answer questions, he goes off in odd directions and he doesn't seem to be listening.  I give him time-outs to prevent him from hurting anyone and he sneaks away.  If I keep him where I can see him it works better but he tends to lash out at me and anyone who comes near.  It frequently ends with my blowing up because he's pushed and pushed and pushed and I'm out of resources and patience.

Ultimately my question is this.  Before the pediatrician calls back and before I can get things going with a behavioral therapist and the school, what can I do to start making life easier for him and everyone else?  It breaks my heart to see that he wants to fit in nicely and he wants parental approval but because he can't do what he needs to or doesn't know how he spends the great majority of his time unhappy.

[Marebears]

I have no advice 4u but i am in the same boat with my 6 year old! And i mean at the end of my ropes with him and school is not very happy, or the teachers 4 that fact! The doctors continued telling me wait till he is 6 yrs old before they put him on meds and now he is 6 and they want to start him in counseling. why they didnt start that a year ago when i 1st brought this up to them; i have no idea. PLEASE if you come across anything very helpful could you let me know and i will do the same for you!   Thanks, going crazy w/kids!

[margypops]

Therapy is a good thing but perhaps you should stop before he is labelled and given any very powerful drugs ,if you read a lot of the posts you will see the behavior actually sometiimes gets worse, try other means first, check out his life at hime are there feelings of being left out, does he get enough attention,On reading your post he is trying to join in and his siblings wont let him maybe out of Jealousy of the attention he is seeking, more often than not you can sort out these issues,without resorting  to drugs,definatly a counsilor wont hurt but then let it go and try to look at the home front,

[Shonna1234]

I would try giving him fish oil, I give my son Coromega.  I give it to my 5 year old, and it has helped a great deal.  He has been taking it now for almost three weeks and I see so many improvments.  The true test will come when he goes to school.  I pray for my son continuously, and I believe he will be fine.  I urge you to do the same.