I'm at my Wit's End! HELP!

Okay, so DS is 6 years old. And ever since Pre-k (4 years old), he's been having major behavioral issues at school. He hits, kicks, pushes, throws stuff at people, pinches, throws himself on the floor and kicks and screams, etc. There is no one thing that triggers these outbursts. You could ask him to play one day and he be fine and ask him to play the next and have him kick you in the shin. No rhyme or reason to his behavior at all. Always different people targeted, different times of the day, different activities going on. I do not spank. We've been working tirelessly with the school to work on re-directing, giving him something to hold up when he's mad so the teacher knows he needs to go cool off, they've ignored his behavior and continued class without him, they've sent him to the office to fill out refocus forms (Draw a pic of what you did and one of what you should have done). He's been suspended from school for 1-2 days. And just when he starts to improve his behavior, he has a major setback and we're back to square one. He has a treasure box at home that he gets to pick from when he's good. He has an XBox that he gets to play when he's good. I've done timeouts when he gets home if it was a bad day. I've had multiple talks with him about why it's bad to do these things and how would he like it if somebody did them to him. He's had treats canceled because of his behavior. He's also picked up lying about what color his clip is on the behavior chart at school, so he lost his current taekwondo belt for that. The teacher told him when he gets my trust back, he can have the belt back. But none of this is working for us. I spoke with his pedi and the guy dismissed my concerns saying that boys will be boys and it's his age and he'll grow out of it. But he's the ONLY kid doing this. Also, I've tried taking his toys away and he doesn't seem to care.

I'm at my wits' end and I'm ready for ANY suggestions, so lay 'em on me.

I have no idea if this will help you. But we are working on eliminating red dye out of my DS diet. When he has it he acts like youre describing.

I believe in spanking. But I know you stated you don't. Soo maybe going to school with him? My step dad does that to his son when he acts up. And I'd take away any privacy he has, and everything he has to play with, and when behavior improves slowly give him one item back at a time. I'd be on him like white on rice! That boy has to learn what's ok and what is not, it's not his world to run. Hope you get some good results and are able to figure out the best method for him!

Quoting Amberchik78:" I have no idea if this will help you. But we are working on eliminating red dye out of my DS diet. When he has it he acts like youre describing."

I've heard this also, and to be perfectly honest, he doesn't eat or drink anything that I can think of that has red dye in it. I've checked all of his normal stuff. He drinks milk, water, and sprite. He doesn't like fruit snacks of any sort. He eats tons of cheese in all shapes and forms. He eats chicken and beef and fish and lots of veggies. The only red food I can think of that he eats is ketchup and he actually eats that very sparingly because he's not overly fond of it. He has to be in the right mood for it. He doesn't drink juice except for things like Capri Sun and those don't have any color to them. So I don't know.  

First of all find a different doctor! That is what I had to do with my oldest.

Second get allergy tested for lactose (milk, dairy, etc) and wheat. And any other common allergens. Then if nothing shows up with that check for artificial colors in foods. Yes they can cause behavior issues as a reaction to them. My grandpa's colleague when he was a teacher had a student that couldn't have red dye or blue dye (not sure which numbers) in food.

If it is none of those then it may be an actual behavioral issue and needs to get a recommendation from the school to get checked out and a SEP( I think that is what it is) created.

Quoting Rydicule91:" I believe in spanking. But I know you stated you don't. Soo maybe going to school with him? My step dad ... [snip!] ... and what is not, it's not his world to run. Hope you get some good results and are able to figure out the best method for him!"

I might have to start going to his school. I just hope he maintains the same attitude so I can catch it for myself rather than, "Well he behaves when you're here."   I can't accompany my kid through high school. Lol.

Quoting Love = Moco and Bubba:" First of all find a different doctor! That is what I had to do with my oldest. Second get allergy tested ... [snip!] ... issue and needs to get a recommendation from the school to get checked out and a SEP( I think that is what it is) created. "

He has an IEP. He's too smart for the special ed classes. Waaay too smart. It's an issue with focusing and behavior.

But maybe an allergy test.

Quoting Blair Waldorf (SuperKink):" I might have to start going to his school. I just hope he maintains the same attitude so I can catch ... [snip!] ... catch it for myself rather than, "Well he behaves when you're here."   I can't accompany my kid through high school. Lol."

I know right, that would be no bueno! And I agree with change doctors, they should be concerned about it not saying, boys will be boys. I was very respectful of my teachers, and so was my brother. So it's definitely something going on that needs attention.

Can you home school him? Maybe he just needs more one on one time and doesnt like school. A lot of really bright kids act out at public school because they dont find it challenging.

Quoting Sheri an aspiring hippie:" Can you home school him? Maybe he just needs more one on one time and doesnt like school. A lot of really bright kids act out at public school because they dont find it challenging."

I'm a single mom, so I need to work. I can't home school him. And I could have him tested to see if maybe not challenging enough is the issue. If it is and he can get into a smaller class setting with the advanced students, maybe that might solve the issue. I do think he has an issue being one of 23 students.

what school is he at?
i'm in your area, so that's why i'm asking. if you don't want to put it out there, i understand.
dd gets speech therapy at summit hill - they're amazing if you need to go that route

Quoting Vyvyan Basterd:" what school is he at? i'm in your area, so that's why i'm asking. if you don't want to put it out there, ... [snip!] ... want to put it out there, i understand. dd gets speech therapy at summit hill - they're amazing if you need to go that route"

He's at Abbotts Hill. He actually graduated speech therapy. He was in it from the age of 2.5 years.

i also agree with looking into a new doc.
northpoint pediatrics are great. we've been with them since dd was born. i'm not sure what their stance is on meds, but they've been super helpful with dd's speech issues, referrals, etc. they're at least helpful and willing to offer advice, support, options

Quoting Vyvyan Basterd:" i also agree with looking into a new doc. northpoint pediatrics are great. we've been with them since ... [snip!] ... super helpful with dd's speech issues, referrals, etc. they're at least helpful and willing to offer advice, support, options"

Do they take Medicaid? DS had a pedi over here in Johns Creek when he was born because I was on private insurance and the bitch doesn't take Medicaid.   I say bitch because she was a bitch about it when I told her I had to switch.

Anyway, she referred me to the guy we see now, Dr. Bergman because he takes Medicaid. And he's been very open and supportive in writing scripts for speech therapy and writing scripts for DD to get the formula she needs for WIC, but when it comes to the behavioral stuff, he just waves it off.

Quoting Blair Waldorf (SuperKink):" Do they take Medicaid? DS had a pedi over here in Johns Creek when he was born because I was on private ... [snip!] ... writing scripts for DD to get the formula she needs for WIC, but when it comes to the behavioral stuff, he just waves it off."

http://www.northpointpediatrics.biz/
i'm not sure about the medicaid. i know that can be a hurdle. my sis is having a helluva time finding a doc, and she's in savannah - where it should be easier than it is.