10 year old son behavioural problems

[Braclet01]

Just wondering what is the best way to get my son assessed. He has had behavioural problems for quite some time now at least 2 years. Issues at school too. But when I mentioned getting him assessed they don't think its necessary. Always wants to centre of attention at home and outside of home environment. Doesnt like it, not happy but this past year had a male teacher who was very supportive. Seems to get bored v easily and gets in trouble quite often. V competitive in school and outside school especially with regards to sports. Tendency in class to shout out answers without giving other children a chance. Doesnt like to be corrected or told off, wants he way all the time. V bright at Maths...not so keen on English but is in the too group in both. Always in trouble at lunch time but mostly due arguements over playing football etc he would be the best footballer in his school. ( Wants to be a professional one day)...at home in the last year behaviour getting worse. Lots of anger issues, outbursts, now becoming violent, breaking things in temper, trashing his room several times, writing all over his walls and ceilings, ripping up clothes..after these outbursts he does feel really bad and sorry but seems like he can't control himself or stop having an outburst. Now causing alot of tension at home. Older sister age 12 and younged brother age 8. Very aggressive at times towards them and verbally abusive to me. My husband is with us too. He plays me up more than his Dad. I got him referred to Behavioural Therapist who tried working with him on his anger but not much progress was made. I'd like to know the cause of all his outbursts etc. Problems with sleep too. Night times are hard to cope with as well.
Finds it v difficult to switch off. Constantly bouncing a ball in the house during the day especially when he is bored but seems to get bored very easily. GI problems too for past year...alterating bowel habits. Had him investigated for this too. Still attending Paediatrican. I think he might have ADHD or ODD or even gifted child...really lost at this stage. Just back from a 2 week holiday in Eygpt with 2 other families. His behaviour was awful for the 1st week. He eventually calmed down but its so obvious he is different than other boys his age. Also likes adult company and would prefer to engage in thier conversations...always butting into our conversations etc. About to go into last year of primary school...dreading it...help!!

Definitely push for an assessment - educational psychologist at school (put it in writing to the school and LA) and take him to the GP for a referral to CAMHS. The process is slow so get cracking now.

thanks for your reply inyourface. I was thinking of going privately because Im in Northern Ireland and it is so slow to get anything done. It took nearly a year for him to be seen by behavioral therapist who has now left so waiting to see if he will be followed up by someone else or not. Do you think Educational over a Clinical one?
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Another possibility might be an autism-spectrum condition. It’s only a possibility, but needing to be centre of attention, arguments about rules, needing to be first, anger and verbal aggression, social problems, being really bad at the start of a holiday and settling later, even the endless ball-bouncing(!) were all issues that my DS had and still has to some extent (though age has helped, he’s 16 now) and he has an Asperger’s diagnosis.

My DS was seen first by a developmental paediatritian and then by a clinical psychologist and a language therapist (his vocabulary is great but it turns out he has some surprising communication problems, especially around feelings, and turn-taking, and understanding the non-verbal bits of conversation like people's facial expressions and tones of voice) but I’m in mainland UK so not sure how things work where you are.

Also, one book that can be very helpful for temper and aggression (and it doesn’t matter what the exact cause is) and which I found especially helpful for my DS before he was diagnosed is [http://www.amazon.co.uk/Explosive-Child-Understanding-Frustrated-Chronically-ebook/dp/B00GLS4XT4/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1406971443&sr=1-1&keywords=the+explosive+child The Explosive Child].

Oops, I meant The Explosive Child

thks for your reply. Only back from holidays 5 days and has 2 episodes.. 1st one was 3 days ago he waa about to go to golf, I left his clothes out(he asked me) when he got out of the shower had a outburst cause he didnt like the clothes I put out...he tried on several things got really annoyed, started trashing his room, ripping up clothes and didnt go in the end. His form has been so so since. Finding it hard to fall asleep. Today I had planned all 3 kids to get their photos taken by professional photographer...he knew about it they all did as it was booked some time ago. Refused to get up for it. Appt was for 1pm. Had the other 2 kids ready etc and had to cancel in the end. His reason for not wanting to I go is "I don't want to be part of this family" ...when I ask him why not...he says cause I annoy him. Im not sure if I should go down tbe route of Clinical or Educational but really want him assess before he starts back to school end of Aug. Do u think Clinical Psychologist?

I would think clinical psychologist, I've been told educational psychologists don't usually diagnose these types of thing, but I'm not expert. You might also ask on "Special Needs - Kids" as there are parents of kids with ADHD/ODD/ASCs there from different parts of the UK who have a lot of experience getting assessments. We went through the NHS and it was a slow process, even though things were so bad DS was nearly chucked out of school we still sat on a waiting list for 6 months (sigh!)