Forums
New posts
Search forums
What's new
New posts
New profile posts
Latest activity
Internet Search
Members
Current visitors
New profile posts
Search profile posts
Log in
Register
What's new
Search
Search
Search titles only
By:
New posts
Search forums
Menu
Log in
Register
Install the app
Install
Forums
Parent Support Forums
General Parenting
Frustrations and other things
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Reply to thread
Message
<blockquote data-quote="Marguerite" data-source="post: 169164" data-attributes="member: 1991"><p>G'day, Dena.</p><p></p><p>You said, "One more thing...has anyone ever thought that ADHD/ODD is VERY similar to autism? I have been doing alot of research at night, since I have a hard time sleeping...and have noticed more similarities than differences between autistic children and ADHD/ODD children. I wonder if the same medications would work for both? Just a thought."</p><p></p><p>Increasingly, a number of experts are thinking that ADHD is actually somewhere on the Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) scale. YOu're not the first to think of it.</p><p></p><p>Like MWM, my older son was first diagnosed as ADHD (never got the bipolar label, though). He wasn't diagnosed with Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) (Asperger's) until he was about 15, the same time (same doctor) who diagnosed difficult child 3 as autistic (also Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD)).</p><p>Both have ADHD as well.</p><p>Their sister (in the middle) was diagnosed ADD but he said she "shows some traits of Asperger's" but not enough for a diagnosis. Increasingly, we think she would now meet the criteria for Asperger's.</p><p></p><p>A suggestion - we recommend you avoid anything which identifies your child. Hence - our codes. It also leaves you freer to speak your mind and to vent, when necessary, without anybody you're venting about being able to track your posts. For example, I had a lot of complaints about the education department in our region, as well as a few teachers. And I KNOW that the teachers in our school, at least, were tracking everything I wrote where they could. By keeping anonymous I was able to prevent them reading my posts here.</p><p></p><p>Back to your issues - you are no longer alone. We're here. You probably already deal with time zone stuff, living in Hawaii. It's an even bigger issue here - other people on this site are going to bed as I'm getting up, and vice versa. So there will always be someone here on this site you can dump on! You & I are only two hours (and a day) apart, so we can be on at similar times.</p><p></p><p>The suggestion of seeing a neuropsychologist is a good one. Not an option for us in Australia, but I hear good things about it in the US.</p><p></p><p>In the meantime there are things you can do, starting NOW.</p><p></p><p>1) Get a copy of "The Explosive Child" by Ross Greene. There is also some discussion of this book in Early Childhood, if you want to see how others on this site discuss it and how to apply the methods to younger children. This book is not a cure, it's a way of managing as parents. You are having trouble at the moment which indicates that whatever you are doing, it's not working like it should. There are good reasons for this, which will become clear when you read the book. Or you can pick people's brains more specifically. For now - it's quickest just to direct you to the book first!</p><p></p><p>2) You mentioned in another thread (I DO pay attention - sometimes, anyway) that you're having trouble with schools and teachers. Check out the Special Education forum and pick THEIR brains if you need to. They're good.</p><p></p><p>3) Your daughter sounds like a sad, confused and very bright girl. She is caring, loving and wants to please you, but doesn't know how because the world is a confusing place that doesn't follow the rules. (These are the rules she has worked out to describe what she observes and has analysed). "Not wanting to learn" just doesn't seem right. There is something very wrong with this picture, and I think your comment that the teachers just don't "get" her is a big part of the problem. I suspect she DOES want to learn but things are getting in the way badly, and this is adding to her frustration and self-loathing. The anxiety - it often goes hand in hand with Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD), along with sensory issues, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), social problems etc. Not all Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) kids have these problems and not all kids with these problems have Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD). There is a fair bit of overlap, though.</p><p></p><p>There are a lot of things about your daughter that you will be able to use to turn things around. But you need to go about it differently, and it will be frustratingly tedious for you at times. But once you find yourself making progress I think you will begin to actually enjoy the process and find there are many things to delight in, with your kids.</p><p></p><p>In other words - once you get the knack (and work out what the trick is) you will find that although it's hard work, it is rewarding.</p><p></p><p>You say you've got a background in psychology - then you understand that we can't diagnose here, we can only talk about things as parents to parents. But for something to think about (certainly not diagnostic) - have a look at <a href="http://www.childbrain.com" target="_blank">www.childbrain.com</a>, look for their online Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) checklist. Run the test, see how the kids score. See how you score too, if you like. While you can't prove anything with this test, it can be helpful and you can also print it out and take it to show a doctor, if you wish. It would give a doctor some idea of the issues concerning you.</p><p></p><p>Oh, you asked about ADHD medications and whether they help with autistic kids - stims definitely help my kids. The difference in them is almost magic. But it isn't so for all Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) kids.</p><p></p><p>Very much a case of "su ck it and see".</p><p></p><p>One last bit of advice - try to not get into battles with her, because when you clash you risk losing. Instead, try to work around a problem. See her as someone really wanting to do the right thing but just not knowing how. Don't see her as a deliberately defiant kid. She has her reasons, even if they only make sense to her. Listen to her, find out what her reasons are and find out what she is interested in (or obsessed with?) and use that as your starting point with her.</p><p></p><p>Do the same with your son. If this is Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) in any form, this should help. If it's something else, it shouldn't hurt, at least not in the short term.</p><p></p><p>Keep good notes on what the problems are, what the good things are and anything else. Document everything. (I keep a diary on the computer and back it up).</p><p></p><p>There are so many things I could tell you but I would only overload you. Others here could tell you even more. But there's plenty of time yet.</p><p></p><p>I hope this helps get you started.</p><p></p><p>Marg</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Marguerite, post: 169164, member: 1991"] G'day, Dena. You said, "One more thing...has anyone ever thought that ADHD/ODD is VERY similar to autism? I have been doing alot of research at night, since I have a hard time sleeping...and have noticed more similarities than differences between autistic children and ADHD/ODD children. I wonder if the same medications would work for both? Just a thought." Increasingly, a number of experts are thinking that ADHD is actually somewhere on the Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) scale. YOu're not the first to think of it. Like MWM, my older son was first diagnosed as ADHD (never got the bipolar label, though). He wasn't diagnosed with Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) (Asperger's) until he was about 15, the same time (same doctor) who diagnosed difficult child 3 as autistic (also Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD)). Both have ADHD as well. Their sister (in the middle) was diagnosed ADD but he said she "shows some traits of Asperger's" but not enough for a diagnosis. Increasingly, we think she would now meet the criteria for Asperger's. A suggestion - we recommend you avoid anything which identifies your child. Hence - our codes. It also leaves you freer to speak your mind and to vent, when necessary, without anybody you're venting about being able to track your posts. For example, I had a lot of complaints about the education department in our region, as well as a few teachers. And I KNOW that the teachers in our school, at least, were tracking everything I wrote where they could. By keeping anonymous I was able to prevent them reading my posts here. Back to your issues - you are no longer alone. We're here. You probably already deal with time zone stuff, living in Hawaii. It's an even bigger issue here - other people on this site are going to bed as I'm getting up, and vice versa. So there will always be someone here on this site you can dump on! You & I are only two hours (and a day) apart, so we can be on at similar times. The suggestion of seeing a neuropsychologist is a good one. Not an option for us in Australia, but I hear good things about it in the US. In the meantime there are things you can do, starting NOW. 1) Get a copy of "The Explosive Child" by Ross Greene. There is also some discussion of this book in Early Childhood, if you want to see how others on this site discuss it and how to apply the methods to younger children. This book is not a cure, it's a way of managing as parents. You are having trouble at the moment which indicates that whatever you are doing, it's not working like it should. There are good reasons for this, which will become clear when you read the book. Or you can pick people's brains more specifically. For now - it's quickest just to direct you to the book first! 2) You mentioned in another thread (I DO pay attention - sometimes, anyway) that you're having trouble with schools and teachers. Check out the Special Education forum and pick THEIR brains if you need to. They're good. 3) Your daughter sounds like a sad, confused and very bright girl. She is caring, loving and wants to please you, but doesn't know how because the world is a confusing place that doesn't follow the rules. (These are the rules she has worked out to describe what she observes and has analysed). "Not wanting to learn" just doesn't seem right. There is something very wrong with this picture, and I think your comment that the teachers just don't "get" her is a big part of the problem. I suspect she DOES want to learn but things are getting in the way badly, and this is adding to her frustration and self-loathing. The anxiety - it often goes hand in hand with Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD), along with sensory issues, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), social problems etc. Not all Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) kids have these problems and not all kids with these problems have Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD). There is a fair bit of overlap, though. There are a lot of things about your daughter that you will be able to use to turn things around. But you need to go about it differently, and it will be frustratingly tedious for you at times. But once you find yourself making progress I think you will begin to actually enjoy the process and find there are many things to delight in, with your kids. In other words - once you get the knack (and work out what the trick is) you will find that although it's hard work, it is rewarding. You say you've got a background in psychology - then you understand that we can't diagnose here, we can only talk about things as parents to parents. But for something to think about (certainly not diagnostic) - have a look at [url]www.childbrain.com[/url], look for their online Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) checklist. Run the test, see how the kids score. See how you score too, if you like. While you can't prove anything with this test, it can be helpful and you can also print it out and take it to show a doctor, if you wish. It would give a doctor some idea of the issues concerning you. Oh, you asked about ADHD medications and whether they help with autistic kids - stims definitely help my kids. The difference in them is almost magic. But it isn't so for all Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) kids. Very much a case of "su ck it and see". One last bit of advice - try to not get into battles with her, because when you clash you risk losing. Instead, try to work around a problem. See her as someone really wanting to do the right thing but just not knowing how. Don't see her as a deliberately defiant kid. She has her reasons, even if they only make sense to her. Listen to her, find out what her reasons are and find out what she is interested in (or obsessed with?) and use that as your starting point with her. Do the same with your son. If this is Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) in any form, this should help. If it's something else, it shouldn't hurt, at least not in the short term. Keep good notes on what the problems are, what the good things are and anything else. Document everything. (I keep a diary on the computer and back it up). There are so many things I could tell you but I would only overload you. Others here could tell you even more. But there's plenty of time yet. I hope this helps get you started. Marg [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Forums
Parent Support Forums
General Parenting
Frustrations and other things
Top