Aggressive behavior in school

by Nathalie
(Otterburn Park, Quebec, Canada)

First of all, I need to express what a relief it was to find this community!!! I am the mother of a 8 year old boy, diagnosed with sensory modulation disorder last year. He is over sensitive to touch and light. The diagnosis was a life saver because I was finally able to tell people (especially the school...) that my child was NOT a violent boy, he was a sick boy !!

I live in the french speaking province of Quebec, in Canada, and finding resources here has proven to be very difficult, and left me feeling very alone. When I stumbled onto your site, I was literally in tears to know that I might have a place to turn to after all. I cannot begin to tell you how much this means...

My concern is the following:
My son has a huge problem with impulsivity, which translate in him hitting and pushing children at school. This happens everyday, sometimes many times a day. The school has been tolerant with him because they know that it is not premeditated since they are aware of his diagnosis and have been providing resources. The problem is that the situation only gets worse, and, since he is very tall and strong for his age, he sometimes hurts the children pretty bad. He has even hit his best friend.

He is now rejected by all the children, his self esteem is dropping (he keeps saying he is nothing but an idiot ...) and he is miserable. The school has just informed us that they cannot be tolerant anymore, and they cannot do more than they already have to help him. So they are facing us with the following choices: we either consider medicating him to see how it might help or have him transferred to a special class (in another school) for children with behavior problems where he will get counseling.

I need to know: Has anyone experienced aggressive behavior to this extent? Has anyone tried to use medication to deal with impulsivity issues? Any comment or advice is welcome, I really do not know how to help my son through this and that leaves me feeling as miserable as him.
Thank you for your help.