%yr old with ADHD not getting any better! HELP PLEASE!!!

[maky158]

My son is 5 almost 6. He was diagnosed with ADHD 4 months ago. He is now taking Dextroamhetamine 5mg twice daily. His dad has been recently deployed to Afghanistan and he's very close with him! Since that time about a month, he has acted out a lot more! He has gotten into a physical fight on the bus. Then yesterday he wasn't sitting in his seat on the bus and was arguing with two other boys. Then when I was picking him up from the bus stop the bus driver said, "He just drew a circle o the back of the seat." At home he crys about everything that doesn't go his way. He jumps up and down, hits walls, throws things, threatens to kill himself, bites himself, scratches himself. I can't do this alone! I have two other children here. An 8 yr old girl and a 1 yr old boy. My husband has ADHD and his little brother as well. So I'm positive he has been diagnosed correctly, because he has the same tendencies they both have.  I want him on medication. At first I didn't, but he was getting worse. So i tried it. I did see a change, but now it's going backwards and even worse. I'm thinking he isn't on the right medication for him.  The Dr. even said he's sure he is also bip[olar, but can't put him on medication until he is 6yr old. I can see my life and his life going down the path my husband and his mom went down. MISERABLE path! I don't want my baby to not have friends, to be isolated at school, to be kicked off the bus ect... He's an absolute sweetheart when he is calm. He says the sweetest things and is very compassionate. When he is wired, he just can't control himself and think of consequences. my heart is breaking for him!! I don't want any criticism for having him on meds. I want advice, encouragement please! Any suggestions of medications that have helped you with similar behaviors in your child?? My husbands brother is on a patch. I don't know the name of it, but it's consistently putting medication into him and he is a new boy!! He is so much calmer and happier in life! He's older though, 9yrs old. So I don't know. My son has an appt. today with his psychiatrist who has prescribed his meds, so i will bring up everything to him today, but if there any suggestions before I go, please let me know. Thanks for all who read this and take time to answer!!

[maky158]

I'm actually going to try therapy with him once a week. They have a therapist at the Dr office who does it. I will bring up the sensory integration disorder today at his appt.! I'm just trying to help him! I know it's got to be so overwhelming for a child his age coping with whatever is going on with him.  I know it's something whether it's ADHD, Sensory integration disorder, bipolar or anything else. I really appreciate your input! I will definately be bringing it up to his Dr today. Thanks a bunch!

[specialmom]

Hm.  I know you won't like me saying this, but it could be an incorrect diagnosis. I would lean that way from this description.  There are other reasons a child acts out.  I'm not a "no one has add/adhd and it is wrong to diagnosis kids" person that you will run into----------  but there is either more going on or it is a wrong diagnosis.  First, he is young.  In my area, they do not diagnose kids before the age of 6 with add/adhd as there is so much difference in kids at that age.  Most 5 year olds are impulsive and energetic.  

My son has a different nervous system problem that can look a lot like add/adhd--------  it is called sensory integration disorder.  We do occupational therapy for it and it has worked fantastically for my boy.  He is doing great.  Medication does not work for add/adhd.  

If he does have add/adhd, medication is only one piece of the puzzle.  You are going to have to work harder with him and understand all you can about add/adhd.  Scroll down to Sandman's posts as he has some books he highly recommends.  They involve parenting a child with add/adhd and school issues with a kid with add.  Read as much as you can.  We have lots of things taught to us by our occupational therapist that help with behavior.  And lots of physical activity has been a lifesaver.  But really it is up to you to learn all you can and implement it.  Don't know why our lot in life was to care for a more difficult child, but it is.  I've embraced it.  I know you are trying and are overwhelmed.  Anyone that can help you?  Someone could watch the one year old while you did something with the other two?
Anyway, good luck