Help with ADHD Child

[CruAngel927]

My son is 7 and was Diagnosed two years ago with ADHD.  We have tried several meds and found one that works.  However the problem we are having still is his behavior.  He continues to aggaravate animals, siblings and others we have even gotten it on video of him aggaravating the family dog till he snapped at him.  He is showing sighns of completly disrespecting every one it does not matter who it is.  My son has gone from my home and then spent the last two months with his grand parents to see if there was anything else we could do.  My son has pushed every ones buttons that I am having to go get home or my family will split.  I have reschduled a visit with his doctor and I am getting him in to a neoraligist on 9/25/08, however I believe that is to long to have to wait.  I as well as the rest of my family have done the positive reinforcement( when he does something right he earns money towards something he wants) he goes every where we go.  We do everything as a family.  What are we doing wrong?  We have exhausted everything and do not know what to do now.  Any suggestions?  If I do not get this under control I am afraid he will be one of those kids who shots up a school when he gets older, that or I am going to lose my family.

[Vividjen]

Hi!  I was wondering how you know if your child has ODD.  My 8 year old has ADD, learning disabilities, and some anxiety. When we put him on zoloft his unceasing opposition behavior went away, as well as his shirt chewing.  But, after a few months, it has ceased working.  The doc wants us to try risperadol, which I guess is like Abilify.  Do you know of this? Do you know about risperadol? My concern is that she is not trying another SSRI or behavior program and I do not want to over medicate.  
Thanks so much for any thoughts you can share!
Jenny

[SueNYC]

Tenex works well with emotional kids - very few side effects.  My kid has ADHD/ODD also.  

[portuguese mom]

You said that you tried various medications and found one that works. I do not think that it is working (unless I did not understand).  I suggest that the medicine is not the right medicine or it is not enough. I assume that he is taking Metadate CD (8 hour slow release) or something similar such Ritalin? If so, you need to ask the doctor that prescribed the med if you can increase it. You should increase by 5mg at a time until you see that it is enough and it is working. For example, after you talk to the doctor, you would increase the dosage by 5mg (you might have to divide the capsule) for about 4 or 5 days. If it still not working, increase again by 5 mg and so on.  If after a while you are not getting results in behavior, listening and school work, you probably do not have the right medicine. At this time, the doctor needs to try a different medicine.

[goncrazee]

Your son sounds alot like mine, he was diagnosed with ADHD/ODD oppositional defiant disorder Kids with this disorder have no fear no respect. my son was very aggressive. His doctor put him on a medicine called Abilify. it is primarily used for bi-polar but it does work well calming  aggression. Also a trick i did with my son is i took EVERYTHING away from him. TV's, videos games.radio's etc. It was hard but he had no choice  but to work for what he wanted . I made him earn things back. Even simple things like a favortie tv show. If he wanted to watch it, he had to earn it. For a while i let nothing slide every action must have a consequence.. Be firm ,fair and consistent. Another thing i did was a behavior chart..ADHD kids work well with visual goals. Finally , dont let him run your life try to stay in control. I've been there, wait.. i'm still here lol. It will get better. DONT give up!!