3 1/2 year old boy with behavior problems, Help!

[SRL]

I'm sorry, I know I felt a thud in my stomach the first time Autism was suggested. Again, please recognize that we're just parents and not in the business of diagnosing. But if there is something there we want to make sure that you have the knowledge and the appropriate assessment to get accurate answers.

Can you look online and tell us what the qualifications of the developmental therapist that he's seeing are. No names, or clinics, please. What degree or letters are behind her name? I'm thinking you may want to have a more thorough developmental assessment done.

Also, you may want to look around at this Asperger's site and see if it rings a bell either for your child or other family members.

http://www.aspergersyndrome.org/

One more question: Does Ayden flap or wave his hands or arms around when he's anxious or excited?

 

[BusynMember]

I had to sit on my fingers not to suggest you look into autistic spectrum disorder. Here is an online test you can take to sort of see if he fits the criteria. My son is on the high functioning end of the spectrum and was a very bad behavior problem until he learned how to communicate. He also has sensory issues and poor social skills, but he's fourteen now and has had early intervention since before he even had the diagnosis (almost from birth). His improvement is DRAMATIC to say the very least. The people who I "chat" with on an autism site feel this test is quite accurate if you answer honestly. I don't know if it is or not, but you may want to take a look at it. I personally think NeuroPsychs are the best, most thorough professionals, but not sure they evaluate kids as young as yours.

http://www.childbrain.com/pddassess.html

 

[@ydensm@mm@]

ok, I took the test that midwest mom suggested, and he scored 47, says no Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD).
I was a little freaked out this weekend, I called the Occupational Therapist (OT) and the DT, the Occupational Therapist (OT) says that she doesnt really see Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) on him, he never flapped his hands or waves his arms around. He doenst have tantrums taht last for more than 3 minutes or something like that, he repeats the movies lines and he lines up his cars, but he also plays with his cars in the way that you "supposed to do it", he makes eye contact all the time and seeks the company of his friends or adults. His biggest issue is that he doesnt seem to know how to calm himself down, doesnt regulate his activity level and doesnt know how to stop himself, at times impulsive...
anyway, we are seeing the Occupational Therapist (OT) in a week again, I got something on the mail today from her about Therapeutic Listening and some information on sensory processing disorder. The Occupational Therapist (OT) is an OTR/L and I can't find the DT's card, she is the children developmental specialist in the county health dep, but also, she is the person that more than one has recommended to see. the Occupational Therapist (OT) is not from the county or school system, it took us 2 months to get her to see us, she is supposed to be the best one in our area.
And Ayden, has been just great this weekend, not one problem...
Thank you guys, it is just s overwhelming and so much information to digest at once!

 

[SRL]

All of us freak out when we're contemplating there might be something neurologically different about our children--that's the typical mommy response!

You may find one specialist saying one thing and a test showing something, but what we're encouraging is that you make sure this base is covered as you do your homework and through the assessment process. Many diagnosticians do miss it, especially if the child is borderline and don't exhibit all the symptoms. Keep in mind that behaviors can change--ie mine didn't show eye contact problems at age 2 but started midway through his third year. One may flap hands while another might not line up toys while a third may be social at age 3 but not socially appropriate at age 6. Just familiarize yourself with the symptoms so you're aware of these traits.

 

[@ydensm@mm@]

yeah... I am ready to get him check out for everything.
sooo overwhelmed...
but, it's ok, I love him so much.