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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

Fish oils for difficult behaviour - Can anyone give me some advice?

42 replies

Greensleeves · 26/04/2007 22:43

DH and I have been talking about (among other things) trying fish oils to help ameliorate ds1's increasingly explosive behaviour. I know I've seen stuff on here about the use of them, but I have no idea what to buy or what to expect, or even whether there's any real basis to the idea. Could someone advise me? I am planning to ask for advice from his teacher'Head/senco, with whome I am going to try and arrange a meeting ASAP to discuss the problems he's having atm.

Oh, and anyone who fancies taking the piss on the grounds that I am a stuck-up 'foodie', knock yourselves out - I couldn't give two shits.

OP posts:

Beauregard · 26/04/2007 22:45

I am interested as well.
Just started a thread about my dd1's behaviour,so anything that could help is worth a try.

SmileysPeoples · 26/04/2007 22:49

Hi Greeny!!

We use fish oils. Ds will only tolerate the strawberry flavour one from Boots though.

I think there have been studies suggesting it can impact positively on behaviour and attention in particular. I think there are also ongoing studies with whole schools/LEA's measuring impact on various factors.

can't quote particualr studies though. Sorry.

We haven't noticed any changes with DS's but then there were no particualr problems initially. It just seemed a good supplement, given their less then perfect diet. See other thread for details. Or don't .

Original poster

Greensleeves · 26/04/2007 22:49

ds1 went to bed under a big thundercloud AGAIN tonight after trashing something that belonged to me on purpose, insisting for 2 hours that his brother had done it, then screaming the place adown and slapping dh repeatedly in the face while having his pyjamas put on. Life is pretty damn bleak chez Greensleeves atm, am pinning great hopes on oily fish magic...

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Original poster

Greensleeves · 26/04/2007 22:49

Thank you Smiley.

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TooTicky · 26/04/2007 22:50

GS, feel free to tell me to piss off (I think I'm getting a bit of a reputation), but have you considered homoeopathy? There is an excellent group of homoeopaths dotted about the south and they practise proper classical homoeopathy (unlike many) and it has really helped children with the sort of problems your ds is having. I'm mentioning it because I believe it would help and because I would feel bad not mentioning it if I thought there was just a chance you might try it. However, I know a lot of people just don't believe in it. But it really is worth a go. Now I am rambling.

Original poster

Greensleeves · 26/04/2007 22:52

I would consider it, TooTicky, but only if everything more conventional (and less expensive) had failed. No offence.

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Aloha · 26/04/2007 22:52

I think the Eskimo oil is good. YOu may know that my ds has Aspergers, so his behaviorral problems are impulsiveness and irrational fears really. The oils seem to help. But haliborange oils seem to drive him mad, and I'm normally extremely sceptical.
What are the problems with your ds?

gess · 26/04/2007 22:53

Make sure they're properly purified, you do not want mercury in with it all.

The research was done on Eflalex, but a different mix than is available now, woould still recomend it. Also Eskimo oil is good, or (my favourite) nordic naturals. You can get nordic naturals from nutricentre although I loathes dealing with nutricentre (!!) but for nordic naturals its worth it. However there chewable delicious capsules are neither chewable, nor delicious. I would still buy capsules, but mix them with a favourite food. Fish oils to tast/feel rank.

The made a huge difference to ds1- especially when he was having cod liver oil (nordic naturals) so getting vitamin A as well, unfortunately I just cannot get this stuff into him now, very frustrating.

TooTicky · 26/04/2007 22:54

I understand. Sort of resignedly. But I'm getting used to that
Seriously, if expense was a problem, these people do charge according to people's means.

gess · 26/04/2007 22:55

If you go for a homeopath I can recommend an excellent one in Kingsbrisge think she goes to Dartington as well. Very different effect than fish oils though.

Don't get Eye -Q if you have any concerns about hyperactivity- too much omega 6's- you need to concentrate on omega 3's.

If you can;t get ds to take them you can rub hemp or flax oil into the skin.

Original poster

Greensleeves · 26/04/2007 22:56

I'm not entirely sure what they are Aloha . At home we are experiencing it as explosive temper tantrums involving exhibitionist "showy" bad behaviour, kicking/punching/clawing/kicking screaming fits, lying, crapping himself, defiance - you get the idea. Nursery have been reporting similar stuff happening there recently, but they had already flagged up a problem a few months ago with his personal/social interaction with his peers. They drew up an IEP which is all about his interpersonal and communicational skills and were planning to use strategies like filming the other children interacting normally and then sitting with ds1 and actually going through the footage, trying to "teach" him how to interact normally, how to approach other children etc. That was before the really horrendous behaviour started. I don't know what to think. Other than that I am a crap mother and my son is unhappy, that is, obviously. I don't know what to do.

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mummytosteven · 26/04/2007 22:57

any views on food with Omega 3 Oils in? DS is awful at taking medicine so I have taken the wimps option of giving him yoghurt drinks with added omega 3 that st ivel do.

gess · 26/04/2007 22:57

Actually I know a number of homeopaths round the south hams area, so there a few I would recommend. The one I mentioned before is, I think very good. Really lovely to talk to as well.

Aloha · 26/04/2007 22:57

My ds accepts the Eskimo oils really well btw, and dh and I honestly do think they make a difference.

Original poster

Greensleeves · 26/04/2007 22:58

Thanks gess, I was hoping you would see this.

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Original poster

Greensleeves · 26/04/2007 22:58

And Aloha, thanks, I will try the Eskimo ones first I think.

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gess · 26/04/2007 22:59

GS- did you persue the AS line? If its been mentioned and you think its a possbility I'm going to be bossy and say you should persue it and get it checked out. If there are problems of that sort then its easier to begin to work out why the screaming etc (sensory? misunderstandings? problems with sequencing?- who knows but you have stuff to work with).

Aloha · 26/04/2007 22:59

Ds seems calmer when he takes them. He really does. I don't think they can do any harm. Good luck!

Aloha · 26/04/2007 23:00

And don't be afraid of a diagnosis! My lovely, lovely boy has Aspergers and I would't swap him for the whole world.

gess · 26/04/2007 23:01

God knows what's happened to my typing, subsitute their for there et where appropriate.

I have to go to bed now, but don't think you're crap, and also don't be afraid of moving along with assessments etc. I know it doesn't seem like it from where you're sitting, but if you do get a definite answer, it's much easier than being in no-mans land.

Original poster

Greensleeves · 26/04/2007 23:01

I haven't pursued it yet, I wasn't sure whether I should be pushing for anything before he started school, but tbh I have pretty much decided now (with dh) that at the very least we need a meeting with the teacher/head/senco, a copy of the IEP and a proper discussion of what they are thinking, what we are thinking, and how soon we can get an Ed Psych to look at him. I was feeling rather ginger about involving anyone from "outside", but after the last couple of weeks I have Changed My Mind!!

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gess · 26/04/2007 23:02

I think fish oils would help almost every child tbh.

gess · 26/04/2007 23:05

gah- ds2 not ds1....

Sounds a good plan, if you make the decision to involve outsiders (and you do have to really as school approaches) then you can sit back and relax for a bit as it's out of your hands for a while.

I've started a review site. Not much on there yet, (only started 2 weeks ago), but keep an eye- most of it will probably relate to severe autism, but I will be adding bits about AS etc if stuff comes up- especially local stuff.

See here

Tiggiwinkle · 26/04/2007 23:06

mummytosteven-I dont think the foods which claim to have omega 3 added have anywhere near the necessary levels to have the desired effect. If only it were that easy!

beegee · 26/04/2007 23:06

We use fish oil capsules on both our dcs. Squeeze out a bit and add it to their breakfasts.

I have to agree with TooTicky - homeopathy worked miracles on my 'complex' 3 yo. And it wasn't expensive. HAVE to try it. [well, you don't have to, but I think you'd be pleasantly surprised with the results.) Must see a qualified homeopath, though. Once you've tried it you'll be on here telling everyone else how the 'have' to try it!

(Mark my words!)

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