Hello!

My 8 year old son’s behaviour troubles us. He is extremely destructive (he’s started to pull his bed, sisters doll house, swing set apart) never listens to what he’s asked to do no matter the reward/punishment. He’s eaten raw chicken twice even though he knows it can make him extremely ill. When it comes to anything that’s not his (at home) he takes it- be it a lolly, a toy even tools. He’s been assessed by a school psychologist and speech therapist he has a “slight learning delay” but is fine behaviorally at school. I’m wondering do we now seek further help from doctor/paediatrician or hope he grows out of it. It’s putting a strain on me and how I interact with him.


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  • Yes, definitely reason to find professional help !


  • The slight learning delay might be causing these issues. They seem like attention seeking behaviours, you just need to find why he’s demanding attention. Maybe he is being bullied at school for his developmental delay, kids can be cruel. Yes, I would definitely seek further help if it’s troubling you


  • You may find other members of family, especially kids are suffering too, so best get help. I speak from experience. Just because one dr says something, if your gut says mmmm, get a second or third opinion – this was advice from my Mum, as I really felt like a failure as a parent. Kids that are like this are hard to love lots of the time… Seek help, from as many sources as you can. There are heaps of assessment tools out there, good luck


  • I remembered when I had my second child , a nurse told me if a mother is concerned then I am concerned . Another words , your instincts are correct, take him to another GP for a proper assessment , explain to him clearly all his behaviours and write it down if you have to . Eating raw meat at that age doesn’t seem right . Hope you solve this soon .


  • Wow that must be tough on you and him.
    I would suggest seeing a naturopath and having his minerals tested. It may sound weird but major chemical imbalances can affect their little brains in the way you are describing.


  • Get all the help you can ask the school, your GP, anyone and everyone you can think of for help and support.

    It may resolve itself, however you don’t want to deal with an out of control teenager if it doesn’t.

    Also, look into counselling in case there is something he is hiding that you should know. Not every child, but some children who act out have been hurt and don’t know how to cope.

    Best wishes mumma.


  • Your question was asked six months ago, I hope you were able to get some answers by now.


  • I hope you’ve been able to get some help. I have similar issues with my 8 year old.


  • I like the diary idea and then you can explain to the doctor in detail and go from there


  • I would seek some further help, this doesn’t sound a normal part of growing up and he could have other problems that need to be addressed


  • The diary sounds like a good idea, so you know what is happening and when and for how long


  • I’d try keeping a detailed diary of what he does, when he does it, how long it lasts, anything that may have set him off, and what you did to try & limit his behaviour. And then I’d get a referral to a paediatrician, and take the diary with you. It can be hard remembering all the details of what happened when, and why it happened, but a diary will help you and the doctor enormously.


  • I would take him to a specialist, it may be something more than a learning delay being 8 he should really not be acting this way. Maybe he is seeking attention because he is having trouble. Kids with Autism can some times have this happen as well. The specialist will be able to help.


  • Sounds like ADHD.. I would take him to the Dr I don’t think it would get better by itself. Best to get a professional opinion and a diagnosis if necessary.


  • I know where you are, not only do I have a 7 year old that is ADHD, but I also have an 8 year old nephew that is the same. My nephew has more of the taking things that do not belong to him (mainly from others not at home) but the temper and destruction are my son.. I tried every angle I could possibly think of, his teachers insisted that i get him professional help but nothing was working until he caught my mothers bed on fire and this was after he stabbed a little boy in the hand with a No. 2 Pencil at school. I did not want to resort to medication, all I kept telling myself is he is only 6, he needs to run more energy off, more challenging activities.. Everything I could possibly think of.. Yet I finally broke no punishment/reward was good enough to stop the rage, destruction, disrespect, and attitude. Triston has been on Focalin for a little over a year now and things are fantastic. My nephew is on Focalin and he still has his moments as Triston dose, but they are also little boys and no one is perfect!


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