Posted by mlp on April 19, 202 at 04:12:36:
In Reply to: Re: 11 yr old son, problems on the increase! posted by Beth K. on April 18, 202 at 10:55:15:
:I’ve heard from many other parents of NLD kids that talk therapy got them nowhere. I guess it’s because these kids lack the self-awareness and ability to delve into their issues. We’re constantly trying to turn events into learning experiences for our son and it seems he just tunes us out and changes the subject. I think he did the same thing with his therapist. Also, their ability to apply what they learn to their own lives is a factor. He did a boy’s group for a while, and seems to know what to do in the room; it’s just a matter of not remembering what to do in a real-life situation. He has been working with a therapeutic tutor (who is more hands-on, doing role-playing, games with the rules changed to help make him more flexible, and eventually, will work with more academic issues). They’ve made a little progress. I’ve been thinking that cognitive behavior therapy would help, but hear mixed reports on that. Does anyone have any experience with this? In school, he has an aide who can react to a situation one-on-one immediately after it occurs. I think this is the best way for these kids to learn what they could have done differently.
: Our 11-year-old son began having similar problems at around 10. I think it’s a combination of pre-adolescence (his peers have reached a social level where they notice differences more) and the frustration he feels in school now that the demands are more abstract. Our school has tried very hard to meet his needs, but frankly I’m not sure anyone knows how to reach some of these kids academically. This brings on symptoms of depression, anxiety, mood issues, anger, etc. Many NLD kids at this age are on medication, but we have yet to find any combination that has any lasting good effect. We found that one-on-one talk therapy didn’t help (and I’ve heard many parents echo this). Our son works with a therapeutic tutor (also called educational therapists–they do role-playing, learning to negotiate, some games to strengthen his weak areas, etc.) and he’s making a little progress. I’m looking into cognitive behavior therapy, and would love to hear if anyone else has had success with this.I guess this is a long way of saying that this is a very difficult time. Mostly they need to be surrounded with people who understand and support them. Unfortunately, they push our patience to the limit, making it hard to stay positive!
: : : I have an 11 yr. old son who was diagnosed with NLD in second grade. He has had good to excellent support from staff at our small town school and is struggling but progressing pretty well in most areas. I am more than a bit frustrated this year as he is struggling with the social aspects of NLD. He is becoming somewhat explosive and angry (not physically) and prone to depression and negative self-talk. This is not the same kid that I was around a couple years ago! Does anyone have advise on what is just typical 5th-6th grade social struggles and what of this is more likely NLD related? I tend to give him quite a bit of slack thinking it is the NLD thing and my husband more often thinks of it as a pre-adolecent attitude.
: : : I am planning on meeting with a psychologist in the next couple weeks, but can’t find one with a background working with NLD – or even LD for that matter. I’d like to go into that meeting with some good information as to how this is different from attitude problems and rage in other kids of the same age. Also, if anyone has sought counseling, how do you explain it to the child before the first visit?
: I’d like to know a little more about talk therapy not working well. Do you have any idea why not? Or is there other therapy that might make more sense for an NLD kid?