Child with Down syndrome and behavior issues

[kathy1963]

My 7 year old son has Down syndrome.  He is a joy to be with.  He does have impulsive behavior.  His behavior isn't always impulsive, but when he is, he is uncontrollable.  Has anyone had any success in diet or natural medicines to help with impulsive behavior?  An MD prescribed risperdal for him, but we don't feel comfortable giving an antipsychotic med to a 7 yr. old.

[dmr5]

I have 5 sons, the four of them potty trained before they were 3years old. My son with ds learned to potty train when he was 6 1/2 years old. It was very hard, but it did finally happen. Just try to be very patient with him. Reward him when he does go, and when he doesn't try to be positive.  Keep a schedule of the times he does go, so you can bring him to the bathroom at those times. I used to bring him about 15 min. after he eats every meal, and before leaving the house, and before entering a store or doc appointment etc. Whatever you do, do not use diapers or pullups, they just delay the potty training longer. My son did not like to feel wet or dirty.  As soon as I switched to underwear, a  week later he was trained. I did have to throw out a few.  Hope this helps! You are blessed!!!=)  

[EvansMama82]

Bradley, it doesn't show the email.  I'd love to hear your suggestions.  I have a little boy with DS that will be 3 in June.  Very hyper and aggressive at times as well as impulsive.  Wanting to start potty training asap and be able to go out in public w/out a melt down!  

[EvansMama82]

I wonder the same thing about my son.  He will be 3 in June and has Down's as well.  He is also extremely hyper active and very impulsive.  His tantrums are out of control.  I even have a behavioral therapist coming every week to help us get a handle on his "issues".  Obviously he is too young for medication but I don't know what to do.  It's put a huge strain on my marriage as well.  We are both so tense when we go out in public.  Don't get me wrong, I love my son very much, but am concerned about what else is going on.  He isn't talking yet but trying to.  Maybe his frustration comes from lack of communication?  I don't know.  Need advice.  Anyone else dealing w/ this or something similiar?

Also, we were told by our genetic's counselor that if he had ADHD (bc that too runs in our family) it would probably be masked by the Down's however his behavioral therapist definitely said he appears to have it.    

[ExtraChromieDaddy]

Hey EvansMama82.  I know your post is pretty old now, but I stumbled upon it as I was researching.  We have a 5 year old (almost 6) who is exactly as you described your son in your original post.  Extremely hyperactive, impulsive, tantrums, yelling obnoxiously, aggressive, throws things all the time, we have to follow him every.single.second in our own house, and cant even take him to the store.  I am curious how your son is doing now and what might be working for him.  We have been on this journey for the past 2+ years, trying all sorts of things from supplements to hardcore biomed approaches, to special diets like GAPS, REID, etc., we have 20+ hours of ABA therapy each week for him, Ionic detox foot baths, the list goes on.  Nothing seems to be having any effect on his behavior at all.  We are also desperate to find what will help him calm down and actually function at home and elsewhere.  We do not know if it is diet, supplements, detoxing hard metals from his body, a combination of those things, whether pharmaceuticals is what he needs (what we have tried has made him crazy or a zombie), or whether nothing will help him.  Just wanted to ask what your experience has been like since  your post in 2012 since it sounds like we are in the same boat.  Thank you so much for anything you can share :)

[shells329]

Try a gluten free diet, my cousin with twins with downs were found that that helps.

[dshelp36]

I have a 7 year old ds boy.and I have discovered how to make him mind,pottie trained in 1 month and his attitude at school has changed 99% I stopped the treatment and he went back to his disruptive behavior so if anybody out there is on the verge of throwing in the towel I would gladly offer my recommendations and a step by step guide that's available for purchase and believe me results are noticeable within the first week I'm not a writer but I have managed to find methods that work ! My name is Bradley and if anybody is interested shoot me an email at ***@**** thanks

[veganbarb]

I came to this site looking for information about medicating my 20 year old son who has Down Syndrome.  He stopped attending his school about a year ago.  He says that he 'graduated', which is not true.  He stays up until 4 or 5 a.m. every night.  He has pulled about 3 all-nighters in the last 1 1/2 years, usually, when he is over-excited about something.  He has invisible friends, and has carried a spoon and a pen around for about 15 years.  He is usually good-natured, but very, very stubborn.  He does not like to leave the house for much of anything.  He doesn't want to go bowling, swimming, to the movies, stores, or even to visit relatives.
  We stopped the dairy completely (along with all animal products) about 3 1/2 years ago, and he has not been sick with a sinus infection in all that time.  They were a chronic problem before that, and he was on antibiotics most of the time.  I recommend avoiding all dairy for any child that suffers from chronic sinus, ear problems and/or excema.  We saw so many different doctors through his life, and not even one of them suggested cutting out the dairy.  I just stumbled onto it on my own.  My son is very resistant to eating healthy foods, and has a very limited diet.  I give him a daily vitamin, but he is a healthy guy in every way.  He has gained about 20 pounds in the last year, since quitting school.  He was always a skinny little guy, and I don't know what to do to get him to be more active.  He does a little bit of dancing, but mostly enjoys watching his (same) movies over and over, and spending time on his computer looking at his millions of photographs of pretty much, the SAME things (the cat's litter box, the cat, his spoon and pen, the floor, etc).  He just got a Wii for Christmas, so maybe that will help some.  I took him to a doctor a few months ago, and he was given a low dose of Prozac for depression and anxiety.  I don't see those problems in him. (The doctor also wanted to medicate me!)  The next month they added Depakote, which is for mood disorders, and sleeping pills, which did not work AT ALL.  I do not want him to be a guinea pig, and turned into a zombie.  I weaned him off of all medications slowly, and do not wish to go that route ever again.  I am very troubled by all of the comments that I get from friends and relatives in regards to my son's behaviors.  So many people tell me that I should just 'make him' go to school, or get a job, or go to bed earlier.  I have really struggled with this issue, but after reading all of the comments on here, I think that we don't really have it so bad.  My son does a lot (really, really a lot) of talking.  Car trips are very difficult, and when company is over, it is very hard to have a conversation.  I get overwhelmed, and feel somewhat isolated at times. There is never any violent behavior.  He does have a callous on his fingers, where he rocks his spoon back and forth.  It's nice to be able to sound off here.  I haven't found a doctor yet, that knew very much about people with Down Syndrome!