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.

[Thea71]

My DS brother is the best brother I've ever had.  He has gone through stages but now we are experiencing one of his worst stages.  My brother is 27 and two years ago his moods started to change to the extreme.  He became withdrawn and wasn't communicating with family as much as he used it.  He was over weight and stopped eating and lost over a hundred pounds and then he started having seizures.  These past 2- years have been tough on my mom who is his primary caregiver.  He has begun eating again and is starting to put back on some weight and is beginning to interact again... But now he has started to have, unprovoked, violent attacks towards my mom.  He will slap her, hit her, and throw things at her.  This past week his violent attacks have been daily.  Today, they went for a walk.  My mom was in front of him and they were just laughing and enjoying the day, suddenly he attacked my mom from behind and he had her in a choke hold, lifted her up, and threw her onto the the pavement.  10-seconds later he stood there saying nothing.  My dad walked them home (just a few houses away) and my mom cried and doesn't understand the attacks.  I'm scared of my brother now, who normally is so loving and fun to be around with but know I don't trust him with mom who is an active 65 years old.  The doctors keep changing his medications, for moods, etc. but his seizure medications are constant.  We have put away all knives, glass, or heavy objects he can get a hold of to throw at my mom.  He can now only use plastic cups and spoons and he can't be alone w/ my mom anymore and I'd adviced to my parents to lock their door at night since my dad was awakened early in the morning last week to my brother hitting him with a clothes hanger.  Surprisingly! My brother is very lovable and kind and has touched all our lives... But now I can't trust him and I'm scared for my moms safety.  I don't want to think about putting my brother in a "special home" and quite frankly, my mom would not allow it.  But I don't know what to do, I don't know who to turn to and the doctors don't either.  I found this site as I was Googling "D/S violent attacks" hoping to find some sort of answer.  Any advice, suggestions, or referrals is desperately needed.   Thank you for giving me this opportunity to talk to a community of families who have a loved one w D/S.  At the very least, now I know we're not alone.

[victressinHim]

I just found this website and saw your post. Has anyone responded It's been 10 years - how is your brother doing now? I have read many similar circumstances with DS being loving and happy when young then as they get older, they begin to have aggression problems - especially with their main caregivers. This is the reason why I have begun searching - my 30 yr DS son has been depressed and has he's aged it has become worse and today he punched me! If you see this and have had any success with your brother or comments, please post. Thank you!

[CamronsMom]

Mother of a 14 year old son with Downs. His first 4 years we lived in NJ, he went to public school but was in a self contained class with about 4 kids and 2 teachers. While in school he was friendly, was learning and succeeding in all aspects. Things between my ex and I weren't working out so we seperated and I relocated to Georgia. Now in Georgia he is having a lot of behaviorial problems and though I am seeing some of it at home, the majority of it is going on in school.....or so the teachers say. He's had tube put in his ears 3 times so far so he does not speak too well and his vocabulary is very limited so it's frustrating to me as a parent because he can't explain to me what's wrong and I know it's frustrating to him as well because no one understands him. My problem now is that his teacher is suggesting meds for him because she thinks he has ADHD. I took him to the Dr. and she said she doesn't see him as being that hyperactive child in any of his visits and I told her at home he is just a child (he has his good days and he has his bad) but it's not to the extent as they are making it seem in school. To me, I feel like the school is just trying to make their job easier because since being here he fell behind as far as education but they don't have the programs and stuff like they did back home in NJ because they say the town is "poor" I do all I can for my son....I work with him everyday because I know he has the potential and I know he can do the work, but I am also a single mother that works and he needs to be in school. So am I wrong for not wanting to medicate my child because they think he has ADHD? Also he really doesn't have a defined and consistent schedule in school like he does at home, and I know for a fact that is an important thing when it comes to children with Downs......consistency

[proudmum2004]

leaha how old are you ?? i think you should get you self a dictionary and look up the word disease you wont find downs under that catagory i have 4 kids my son has downs he,s the most funniest little man he takes a little more time to learn things but when he gets the hang of stuff im the proudest mother ever i also couldnt keep count on how many times a day he hugs and kisses me and says he loves me he adores his 3 sisters and yes some times they argue and he hits out but so does his sisters and cousins i use time out for all my kids and he,s no differernt so id just like to say to you leaha  i would hate to have a friend like you asking a question like that on this forum seems to me that your just mad some one hit your chid sure that can happen anytime in life regardless of down sydrome or not !!!!!!

[gran101]

I have been reading all the posts on this sight and I am glad to hear my family is not alone with the behavioral problems regarding Down Syndrome children. I have a 5 year old grandson with Downs. The love of my life. Mostly for me he behaves pretty good. However, his behavior for his mother, my daughter, is some times overwhelming. He does the throwing himself on the floor when he doesn't want to go some where. He has thrown toys just to throw something, not out of anger. He is still not potty trainined. Don't get me wrong, he can be the most adorable and good little boy, but some days he is like a totally different child. My daughter is 8 months pregnant with her second child and is besides her self most days.

[MarieaGrace]

Wow Robby he might just be right because the child I do work with can get very violent to his mother and has been to me also. We need to take something away from him and he really got very hurtful with everyone in the room I mean he is very strong and takes fits of rage out on others. Yes every case can be different,this child cannot be redirected when he excels,he will go after you and hurt you, other then that he is a beautiful child of 11 and we all love him he can be and is very pleasant most of the time but the temper is dangerous as he is extremely strong it took two of us to get him to let go of us.

[KimberlyB1971]

My daughter is 6 yrs and has been doing the same thing.  Our behavior specialist at the therapy school got one of the blue squishy toys from Dollar Tree to redirect her from 'self-exploration' to dangling or throwing this toy.  It has worked wonders!  It has little plastic nubby strings on it that she likes to dangle it from.  Yes, this is considered 'stemming' and usually not an encouraged behavior most of the time, but it draws the attention of the child to something else besides what's under their britches. It also helps with her aggressive behavior since I give her a 'target' to throw it at.  She has such a good throwing arm that I make sure it's a pretty good distance away from any breakables, but it makes her focus, which helps with her coordination and motor skills.  Hope this helps. :)