Hello All - I'm brand new to the discussion & appreciate reading all of your insightful posts - thank you!
My nearly 10 yr old adopted son was diagnosed w/mild ADHD both inattentive and impulsive type last year. He most likely has some type of attachment disorder from his early child days in an orphanage. He has been on different meds for about one year: most recently metadate and sertraline (yes, I hear the contradiction: a stimulant and an antianxiety drug). He is managing in school on an IEP and has never had behavior problems in school.
Like many of you, I've experienced a real roller coaster relationship w/him over the years. Most recently, he has been very inappropriate re: his private areas (pointing to his groin) and now, mine (ie, pointing to and mentioning my breasts). I've repeatedly taught him that he needs to protect and respect his private areas (& those of others) and may "explore" his private areas only in the privacy of his bedroom when the door is closed. I realize that most kids get extra silly and inappropriate when entering puberty. I'm just trying to guide him through this phase w/o either of us going crazy in the process. He has lost privileges over this but continues to do this. This has been going on for about 2 months (not every day). Have any of you faced this type of situation? I'm afraid that he will get into some serious trouble (for the very obvious reasons) if he does not change his behavior.
Any thoughts /guidance would be most welcome.
Thank you
Jean

Hi Heather - Thx for the reply. Our son was 16 mos. old at adoption. Although he has never been officially diagnosed w/RAD, he has certainly exhibited the symptoms: overly anxious and overly connected w/me, socially awkward, etc. He has had neuropsych evals x3;most recently at age 8 where the evaluator felt that he had "generalized anxiety disorder".
As I've said he's managing in school but as he gets older, school (&society) expectations go up so, his behaviors become more of a potential problem. Did you have to have a referral to get into the children's hospital program? How is your son doing in school?
I greatly appreciate your reply.
Jean