Should I take my 7 year old son to see a therapist?

Question

My 7 year old son is having some behavioral issues at school ie. hitting, biting, knocking things over, throwing things at the teacher. He is sent to the pricipals office almost every day and therefore I get a phone call to come pick him up because of his horrible behavior almost every day. He has been suspended, had multiple in school suspensions, he's been grounded from tv and video games at home, I don't know what to do. His behavior at home is nothing like what the teacher, principal and school counselor tell me is going on at school, so could it be something going on at his school that is causing his bad behavior? I have asked him several times what happens at school to cause these "meltdowns" he's having at school but he just says he doesn't know. Other than his behavior at school, he has no other learning difficulties, he's a straight A student and reads at a 5th grade level. The school wants me to take him to a therapist and possibly put him on meds, should I?

Answer 1

I won't hurt for you to take him to a therapist. He might not tell you because you're mom. I would not put him on meds though.

Answer 2

im sorry n i dont know if ur a christian but the bible says spare the rode spoil the child n i think that u hav spared him a lil to much  he  needs a good spanking n dont apologive after it bcuz he will then not take u serious i do this for my nieces and i hav no problems out of them at all

Answer 3

i would PERSONALLY try to stay away from the meds. if you start on thoes then you have to slowly ween yourself off of them. I bet anything he is being bullied in some sort of way and is just acting out. He has to have a reason better than "i dont know" cause he does. No child just does these sort of things for no reason. Maybe just try to have a real serious sit down talk at home. Maybe consider a school counselor or someone else that he can trust. he may not feel comfortable telling you whats happening. definatley stay ontop of it.

im sure he will be fine and im almost sure all kids hit a punk stage once in their life. your doing a fine job.

Answer 4

spanking is not not going to help your son.. you need to take him to a professional.. he needs counseling and possibly meds.. he might need some inpatient care also.. if he does ... do not hesitate.. do it for  him and your family.. he will get better.. which will make things better for you and your family... just some thoughts from a mom who has lived it... good luck...

Answer 5

Judging by his age, I'm guessing this is not his first year in school.  In the years past has he had problems?  If not, I would try again to speak to the child calmly and let him know your concerned about his behavior and would like to help him solve whatever the problem is. (It's possible something could have happened and he was told some type of threat should he tell anyone.) If you can't get a straight answer from him, I would get him to a psycologist...see what they have to say about the meds.  I really would tend to say it has to be something with the school seeing as he seems fine at home.  Good luck, I hope all turns out well for you both.

Answer 6

By his age he should know better. I think you should just spank his *** have him grounded for at least 2 weeks. And then go see a therapist. IF that doesn't work expell him.

Answer 7

Sounds exactly like my son. He sees a therapist, and he's also on meds. I don't even know if it's helped, cause he keeps having these meltdowns. Exhausting? Yes, Frustrating? Yes. Do I have an answer as to why it happens? No. I've seen so many people, and tried so many things, I still don't have an answer. But it doesn't mean that therapy may not work for your son. You should at least give it a try and see what happens. GL.

Answer 8

He is only doing this at school then there is something wrong at school and he is crying out for attention for someone to find out what it is and fix it. Ask the school if you can sit in the back of the class for a couple days and observe what is setting him off. If you are lucky then you will find the source of the trouble. If the school will not comply than start thinking about other options for his education. Right now no matter how smart he is, his education is being hindered by these constant trips to the office and suspensions.

I take my 7 year old daughter to a therapist because she seemed fearful of everything and wouldn't let me out of her sight. I am learning that it is her personality that makes her this way. She isn't fearful of anything and when confronted directly will say she isn't afraid of anything. She just doesn't want me to do anything with out her. She has learned to manipulate my emotions and control any situation. Therapy has not helped one bit, because the therapist is just as blinded by her sweetnes as she wants her to be. The point is if your son won't talk to you he probably won't talk to them. Only you can figure out what the real problem is and deal with it in a way that works best for your family

And before anyone judges me harshly for the things I say about my daughter, please understand, that I love her more than life. I have delved deep into her mind and spent countless hours trying to really understand her and her way of thinking. Her need to control and manipulate situations and her trust issues, come by her naturally as it runs in the family. And the power struggles we face with her are never viewed in a harsh way, they are a good indicator of the cautious, fully informed, go getter attitude that she will need in adult life to do exactly what she wants, when she wants and get far ahead of anyone she sees weaker than herself.

Answer 9

I think counseling at a parenting clinic could be beneficial for all of you.

Answer 10

therapy is always good. just please dont allow them to put your child on meds. that would only be masking the problem, not solving it.

there obviously is some issue that needs to be dealt with and therapy can help. having an 'outsider' talk with your child can help more so than you or someone he knows personally. i mean, it's their job..they know what theyre doing . ;)

if he is doing well in his studies, high reading level etc. yet still has 'behavioral issues' he could possibly be gifted and just bored in school. this is usually misdiagnosed by teachers as a child being ADHD.

Answer 11

in the old days kids like this didn't do it for long because there were direct and physical consquences to their behaviour. However, if you want to take him to a therapist instead os giving him a good hiding I suppost it would be a good second option.

Answer 12

It sounds a lot like the problems we had with my son....extremely smart but having trouble with interactions & behavior.  It wasn't that we didn't discipline, etc.  We are finally getting a handle on things in the 3rd grade because we have a teacher that has worked with Special Ed before.  He believes my son may have a mild form of Asberger's Syndrome.  I have chosen not to get him diagnosed at this point because I finally feel like we are getting somewhere.  Whether it is this for your son or something else,  if I were you I would start with the pediatrician rather than start him in therapy.  Good luck to you...and hang in there!

Answer 13

Yes, take him to a child therapist. He is obviously acting out for some reason. Make sure that the therapist you take him to has access to speak with the school, so that the treatment plan can be consistent with everyone. Consistency is an absolute necessity to deal with problem behavior. Meds are not always the answer, and if used, need to be used in conjunction with therapy. It is very important that you get the right therapist. The therapist must relate well with the child in order for the plan to be effective. Do not be afraid of being criticized for getting him help. Now is the time.

Answer 14

The key here is that his behavior is different at home.  That is the number one key indicator that something IS going on at school.

Kids tend to under report school issues.  Sometimes they are frightened, sometimes they like to keep school and home separate.

Spend some time at the school, observing interactions, both with teachers and other students.  Observe for at least 20 hours.  My guess is that something fairly serious - bullying, teacher abuse or the like, is happening.

Answer 15

Dont take anyone advice on a matter about your son. I had the same problem belive it or not but my son was three and four. It was DayCare he was getting kicked dout of,  the doc sent him to a theripst and everything was fine and know he is 7 and he is fine. but everyone expreince is different so get a doctors advice just for a peice of mind. sounds like your a good mother and you did your part. God job on that part. Get a doctors advice i am not being rude

Answer 16

If he is an A student and reads at a 5th grade level and he does this, it is because he is not being challenged. HE IS SMART!! my sister went through the same thing and she just needed harder classes. Get him tested and maybe advanced a grade or two.

Answer 17

Yes, I think you should. I had to go through the same thing with my son. I got tried of everyone telling me it's a faze and beat him and other nonsense. Sometimes I think kids just need someone to hear them out. And to be sometimes we as parents we have so much going on that our kids just need us to listen. We went as a family to see a therapist and it help the whole family. Good luck

Answer 18

All they ever say is "put him on medication", I was completely against it. My kid was not gonna be zombified because his teacher couldn't handle a normal 7 year olds behavior. From what I seen, 9 out of 10 7 year old boys act the same way. It just might be a conflict with the teacher, try switching him to a different teacher.

Answer 19

A therapist, are you kidding? Pls don't take your son to a shrink and medicate him in place of trying some good ol fashioned discipline. Take a belt to his bottom and I bet you he'll shape up quick!!