how did you survive the preschool years?

I had some early concerns when he was about two, but at two it's difficult anyway lol.

When he turned 3 his pediatrician expressed some concerns himself as just getting him into the office was/is a battle, he referred him for an evaluation, but I held off on it because he was going to be starting preschool in a few weeks and wanted to see if they raised any concerns, within a month his teacher was reccomending an evaluation (I said nothing about my concerns until the pedi. and teacher brought the issue up)

So the school had someone come into the classroom and do an evaluation, they couldn't complete it because of his behavior, and referred him to the place the doctor had referred him to, they set up the evaluation as well as an appointment with a child psychologist. Still waiting on one final meeting for the eval., the tests from his psychologist were done, and I received his report. It said he tested quite high for ADHD & ODD.

I am at my wits end. Today he unlocked his window and jumped out while I was still sleeping. Nothing works to correct his behavior, I have to find ways of securing everything, doors, windows, rooms. He has destroyed two dressers, I can't count how many sheets, even his favorite toys. I feel like he's going to destroy my home. I hate having to keep him and my home under constant lockdown, for fear he's going to injure himself or worse.

How did you handle things when your kids were younger? It doesn't help that I am a single mom and also have an almost 2 year old daughter, their dad yells at me and talks bad about me in front of them too.

I don't know anymore what to do!!!

Going crazy in Maine,
Melissa

Hi Melissa,

I did not reply originally because I am not experienced in this area. However, I am disappointed to see that you have not yet received any reply. has the situation managed to improve, become worse, or remain the same? Getting advice is essential, but from the correct sources. You will probably meet a lot of doctors along your journey who just won't seem to care, but the odd one WILL care.

Kevin

hi i know how you feel at the moment my son is 12 and just been diagnosed with odd finally some one listened to me because i always knew that there was something but didn't know what.
the only thing that worries me is that your child is jumping out windows which you will have to get sercurity locks to stop it.
someone on another forum recommended me a book called the explosive child by ross w.greene ph.d. if you can get your hands on a copy it may help you i wish i had a copy when my son was a lot younger it may have saved me alot of heartache.
its amazing how many of us there are out there so your not alone i hope things get better for you soon.

I don't know how I survived the preschool years. I'm glad that you're getting a diagnosis now, though. Maybe that will make some resources available to him down the road. IDK.

I have read The Explosive Child, and I have to say that, even though I try to use the technique, always hoping that something will work, when my kid is freaking out, there's no reaching her, so the technique is useless.

My kid has climbed out the window, too. So much for time out.

I'm a single mom, too. We deserve a break. I worry about the effect on our other kids, too, of living with these violent children.

At least when they're in preschool, you're stronger than they are. Good luck. I'm glad that you're being proactive.