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Suggest Treatment For Disruptive Behavior In A Child With ADHD
Question: I had a foster child. I gave her up after one and a half years. She is ADHD and has been sexual abused. She is on various medications. I know not visiting with her is had to answer questions,. However, she has blew one home in 4 weeks after leaving our home and is another home. She has changed for the worst ever. but one problem she had when she was here. She did not want to go to school. She could read in kindergarden but not in 1st grade. She had meltdowns in school for the 2 school yrs. I had her. She had been expelled 2 times so far this school term. What can be done to get her to go to school and try to learn. She has been on clonidine, guaficine,vivance. Do you have any suggestions. She has had all kinds of work ups and nothing shows.
Brief Answer:
She needs proper psychiatrist care and counselling
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome to the HCM
I understand your concerns. It's sad to hear about the trauma your child is going through along with the stress it's causing for you as well. Don't worry. Many a times we recommend multiple proper counselling sessions by a psychiatrist to get down to the root cause for all these behavioural changes, so that the most definitive management can be started.
As per your question, it seems that your kid has undergone lot many ups and downs in her tender age which has made her psychologically vulnerable to even mild environmental changes. She is most likely suffering from post traumatic stress disorder along with ADHD, or panic attacks for school which need proper psychiatric evaluation.
The initial goals of treatment for children with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or panic attacks are to provide a safe environment and to attend to urgent medical needs. Immediately after a traumatic event, children are likely to be frightened and distressed. A sense of security can be achieved by adopting an approach of respect, compassion, containment; helping the child experience consistency in her daily routines; and providing opportunities for relaxation and positive experiences.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) by a psychiatrist is first-line treatment which I would recommend. If symptoms persist or additional control is needed, pharmacologic therapy may be warranted. No restrictions on diet or activity are necessary, unless they are clinically indicated for other reasons.
Avoid pushing her for school unless she is comfortable with it. Also, if she is fond of you, then visit her more often to make her feel more secure.
Hopefully this will help you.
Take care
She needs proper psychiatrist care and counselling
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome to the HCM
I understand your concerns. It's sad to hear about the trauma your child is going through along with the stress it's causing for you as well. Don't worry. Many a times we recommend multiple proper counselling sessions by a psychiatrist to get down to the root cause for all these behavioural changes, so that the most definitive management can be started.
As per your question, it seems that your kid has undergone lot many ups and downs in her tender age which has made her psychologically vulnerable to even mild environmental changes. She is most likely suffering from post traumatic stress disorder along with ADHD, or panic attacks for school which need proper psychiatric evaluation.
The initial goals of treatment for children with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or panic attacks are to provide a safe environment and to attend to urgent medical needs. Immediately after a traumatic event, children are likely to be frightened and distressed. A sense of security can be achieved by adopting an approach of respect, compassion, containment; helping the child experience consistency in her daily routines; and providing opportunities for relaxation and positive experiences.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) by a psychiatrist is first-line treatment which I would recommend. If symptoms persist or additional control is needed, pharmacologic therapy may be warranted. No restrictions on diet or activity are necessary, unless they are clinically indicated for other reasons.
Avoid pushing her for school unless she is comfortable with it. Also, if she is fond of you, then visit her more often to make her feel more secure.
Hopefully this will help you.
Take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
She is 8 in the first grade. She is already horribly behind. She can learn because I taught her some Bible things when we did not go to church one Sunday and she remember it telling another adult about what she learned. She just refuses. the lady that has her now thinks I was not strict enough with her, She and the therapist think she should forget me. She called me Mama and my husband Dad or Papa and she told us that our home will always be her home. They are not letting her come to see me because she has to earn it. and also has had all her toys removed and she has to earn them back. She has no concept of time. WHen she was with us She would be late to school every day, I told her is she was good 3 days I would take her to park. She never made the 3 days. My heart is really hurting for this child. I am almost 70yrs old and not in good health or I would still have her.
Brief Answer:
She needs a proper primary care taker along with child paychiatrist
Detailed Answer:
Hi
I understand the pain you are going through. But don't worry. Your child's problem is very deep rooted and being strict to her and holding all her wishes as punishment may worsen them.
Some psychiatric disorders can deteriorate the cognitive skills attained in early life. Instead of punishing the child, we need to understand the reason for her behaviour and handle it in a more mature manner. Child psychotherapist counselling and cognitive behavioural therapy will be useful as I said earlier.
Also, I think that if the child is fond of you then visiting her more often should not be taken negatively. Making her happy should not worsen her condition. She needs utmost care at this juncture and if your age doesn't allow you than let other people try. Don't worry she will be fine.
Hopefully this will help you.
Take care
She needs a proper primary care taker along with child paychiatrist
Detailed Answer:
Hi
I understand the pain you are going through. But don't worry. Your child's problem is very deep rooted and being strict to her and holding all her wishes as punishment may worsen them.
Some psychiatric disorders can deteriorate the cognitive skills attained in early life. Instead of punishing the child, we need to understand the reason for her behaviour and handle it in a more mature manner. Child psychotherapist counselling and cognitive behavioural therapy will be useful as I said earlier.
Also, I think that if the child is fond of you then visiting her more often should not be taken negatively. Making her happy should not worsen her condition. She needs utmost care at this juncture and if your age doesn't allow you than let other people try. Don't worry she will be fine.
Hopefully this will help you.
Take care
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
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