jump to article
TYPE SIZE  Smaller Type Larger Type CHANGE COLORS SUPPORT US en español  
Connect with other parents like you. Sign up now Login

Blind 15 yr old teenager with ODD and ADHD-Anyone else??

Posted by lovemom on 11/4/2010 10:40:33 AM.

I have a 15 year old blind son (since birth) with ODD and ADHD.  His behavior is terrible.  It's been 2 years now, since puberty started kicking in.  He has this over powering need to have control of EVERY situation. He's disrespectful to everyone especially his Dad and I.  It's like he's trying to punish us.  The local school for the blind won't take him because of his behaviors, and the Behavior schools won't take him because he's blind.  He won't take medication anymore and won't go to a therapist.  I've tried everything and everywhere for help with this and I'm getting no where.  In the meantime he's destroying our once happy household.  Anyone out there have the same experience or maybe any ideas on how we can fix this problem?

There are currently 4 replies.

      

  • 1 . Re: Blind 15 yr old teenager with ODD and ADHD-Anyone else??
    Posted by MaribelNAPVIparent on 11/04/2010

    Dear love mom,

    Teens go through many changes even without having additional challenges such as ODD and/or ADHD.

    It appears that you have seeked advice and have not found the remedies you search to assist your family. I truly am sorry for that, as you may be feeling alone and distressed.
    I assume that he not taking his medication has increased his irritability towards all. Have you discussed this measure he has taken with your family doctor? What are his suggestions if any? What would he have you do as a family? What are the therapists doing as professionals in charge of your son?

    While I do not know what you are experiencing, I can only offer some remedies that I find can assist a family maintain balance in the home. I too have a teenager as well as a visually impaired six year old at home and sometimes we must learn to pick our battles. May I suggest developing a daily routine and asking him to offer ideas on ways of doing things differently or better? What about making family time if schedules allow. That sense of togetherness is good feeling for both the parents as well as the child.

    I hope that other parents are able to offer responses as well if they deal with a situation such as yours on a daily basis. As hard as your situation is a house divided cannot stand!
    Find time for yourself to collect your thoughts when he is testing you as a parent, and hopefully your perspective at that moment may change for the better and you will not have given up hope.

    Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to Connect.




  • 2 . Re: Blind 15 yr old teenager with ODD and ADHD-Anyone else??
    Posted by dawnmarie17 on 04/21/2012

    My son is 13 and has ADHD and a psychiatrist even said he had ODD as well. He was/is never defiant at school, but when he'd come home, he took all of his frustrations out on us. He has retinitis pigmentosa and goes to jr. high. He is supposed to use adaptive equipment at school, but he is too embarrassed. He never wants to do homework and we spent so many nights just fighting. We take him to a therapist and have even thought of taking him to mental health, but things improved. I would suggest some type of intervention through a mental health facility, then work on getting him back to school. I am sorry your school choices are limited. Isn't that discriminatory of the behavior school not to accept him?



  • 3 . Re: Blind 15 yr old teenager with ODD and ADHD-Anyone else??
    Posted by Thrill Monster2012 on 06/03/2012

    Maybe he should take some calming medication. That's what I have to do because I am so negative at times nobody wants me around. I have Ocd and I think Asperger's or Autism.



  • 4 . Re: Blind 15 yr old teenager with ODD and ADHD-Anyone else??
    Posted by Adel34 on 03/30/2013

    I'm so sorry for your situation. These professionals really put people who are blind and have mental health issues in a very difficult, almost impossible place.
    When searching for a mental health day program for myself since my recent move to IL, I came across a couple places that were reluctant to take me due to the fact that I'm blind. They would have rather me go to a place for the blind, but all the counseling they had there just dealt with people losing their vission and I've been blind all my life.
    I do think it's discriminatory though for the behavior schools not to take him, especially if he fits the criteria. He does need to get himself stabilized before he can focus on school or really anything else. And your family needs support too.
    I'd try at least callinga therapist or two and running the situation by them, even if he won't go in maybe these people could have some ideas. Ideally, i'd hope he could get into some sort of intensive residential program to work on the ODD and get that under control, and if you can find one open minded enough to accomidate his blindness as theyall should really, maybe you can just send him there and as he's under 18 he can't refuse. Please keep us updated.


Post a new response | Track this topic by e-mail | Return to top of the comments