Thoughts on a LMSW for one on one therapy with AuADHD kiddo?
My child is 10 now and a Level 2. Diagnosed with ASD/ADHD/ODD. We've tried to get him into ABA but since his schooling has improved, he keeps getting denied ABA. All of his school reports are great, and he has exceeded quite a bit since receiving medication therapy and an IEP. However, at home, it is somewhat of a nightmare at times. The meltdowns, the consistent begging to shower, wipe butt, wash hands, go to sleep before midnight on a school night, the importance that money doesn't grow on trees, the list goes on.
He's had one-to-one therapy with a male therapist a couple of years back, and there was an extremely mild improvement, if not worsening tantrums/defiance. I feel like the same is happening now with the new therapist; I haven't really seen any signs of improvement.
Are LMSWs capable of working with intricate children like AuADHD?
Has anyone done so and seen improvement? Has anyone been denied ABA and had success with finally getting accepted for it?
I just feel like someone who doesn't specialize in ASD/ADHD will try to teach a client about emotional regulation like they would a 'normal' person.
Also, her treatment plan was generated with AI, and she posed all of the home factors for the reasons of his emotional warfare. (divorced parents, parental relationship changes, financial stressors) --but also said in the report, " demonstrates limited emotional awareness and body sensation recognition, consistently localizing all emotions to his head rather than recognizing full-body emotional experiences" -- "these emotional regulation diffculties appear to impact his school functioning, as evidenced by episodes of feeling overwhelmed when asking multiple people questions in class" -- "despite these challenges, the client demonstrates some adaptive coping strategies including drawing with colored crayons and appropriate help-seeking behaviors such as reporting peer conflicts to teachers".
I just don't know, I'm stressed to the max, in my last semester of an intense medical program, and feel like I'm reading a report in regard to another child. The thing is, he is himself for the most part with me. When he is with his other family, he has to 'simmer' down or bluntly lie about what he likes (he prefers rap/hiphop and they make him listen to gospel only). Just for example
Posted Mar 5, 2026, 2:33 AM UTC