6 Year old boy with self control problems. HELP!

[llmhh]

I have a son that just turned 6 years old last week. I am at the end of my rope with him and don't know what to do. He has major behavioral issues and cannot seem to keep his hands/feets to himself, pay attention, show respect, and have an overall understanding of self control. He has been diagnosed as having a tactile sensory disorder and we just started working with an OT to get him help for that, but it doesn't seem to be helping. He was just suspended from his summer program for his aggressive behavior towards the other kids, as he has become a safety issue. They are setting him up on a behavior contract and he is in danger of being kicked out. This is not new behavior, as he had trouble all year last year in Kindergarten and was repeatedly sent to the principals office. As a parent, I feel like a failure and no longer know what to do. I have tried everything from removing all priveleges and only giving him the necessities of life, time-outs, rewards for good behavior, etc., but nothing seems to phase this child. He seems to have no remorse and no consideration for others and their feelings. At home, he is fine other than minor acting out and normal 6 year old behavior. He is also an only child, so there are not issues with other children like there are when he is at school/summer camp. At home there are me and his step-father, who has been in his life since he was 2. His father travels a lot, so he does not get a lot of time with him. We all have to work full-time, so he has to be in care for the majority of the day. I am to the point where my job is in jeapordy due to the number of times I have to leave work to pick up my son for being suspended. Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

Any sensory integration problem he has does not explain the difficult behavior and OT will not help to improve the behavioral domain. You would be wise to seek a second opinion.

[llmhh]

He has already been evaluated by a psychologist on several occassions and she is the one that sent us for a sensory eval. She feels he is a normal 6 year old as well and does not feel the need to continue psychiatric/psychological treatment since he will be working with an OT for his sensory disorder. She believes this is the only thing wrong with him and he will get better with time, but I do not have time at this point to just wait for him to get better.

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

Your son's persistent behavioral problems invite evaluation by a pediatric mental health clinician (e.g., child psychiatrist, clinical psychologist, clinical social worker). You would help him by arranging this.