Lists.

Jamieh

New Member
I am one of those crazy list makers. Sometimes making a list just helps me. So this is mostly just for me to do to help me with- all of this. I don't want to bombard you all with- posts. But I am kind of in a posting mood and have lots on my mind tonight. So I will make a list of all of the things E does that is either concerning to me or has been brought up by teachers/therapists.

Explosive meltdowns
Does not relate to kids his own age (this was first brought up by daycare when he was almost 4)
Would rather talk to adults (also brought up by daycare)
Does Not focus on tasks unless very interested.
Cannot sit for very long at all
fidgets constantly
twists clothing and blankets while trying to fall asleep
Does not make eye contact when talking. He can make eye contact but you have to tell him constantly to LOOK AT ME
Obsessed over the color Green ----freaks out if he gets any other color in anything. wears green every day
Has a hard time taking turns or waiting his turn in line
Has a hard time socially. Any social setting he struggles in. He always wants to have playdates at our house but ends up in his room playing a video game instead of playing with- his friend.
He wants to play but does not seem to know exactly how to play appropriately. He either freaks out because no one follows his rules or he gets overly excited and is hard to control.
Moves hand in front of face while talking. Says that he is writing while talking?
Says some pretty hurtful things when upset always regrets or actually does not remember saying it a lot of times.
Gross motor skills are pretty bad as are a lot of fine motor skills.
He is very very smart. All of his teachers have told me that he is one of the brightest kids but lacks the social skills and maturity for his age.
Does not participate in group activities at all
Has a hard time transitioning or stopping something before completely finished if he is super focused on doing it.
Changes bother him. ---like re arranging furniture

I feel like I am forgetting something...but this is just what came to mind right off.
 
Last edited:

InsaneCdn

Well-Known Member
In site resources, there's a format for what we call a parent report (it's not called exactly that).
It's a way of pulling together all the details you currently know about your difficult child, and then you keep building it.

If you can't find it, look for a recent post by suziestar - I think she keeps the link in her signature.
 

buddy

New Member
Your list sounds like a check list for Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) in any text book. I think your psychiatric is right, but it's ok to feel sad about it. I didn't want that label because it seems so permanent. Now I'm grateful for it. The single place we have consistently great sessions, classes, etc is at the autism treatment center he attends.
 

BusynMember

Well-Known Member
Sounds like autistic spectrum disorder. Many times those kids like to talk to adults because adults are forgiving, but they can't for the life of them relate to their same age peers. All the other stuff fits too. I'd get him to a neuropsychologist. Early help guarantees the best outcome! :) Many Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) kids do quite well!

The only part that sounds odd is that he doesn't remember saying things. My son never had that and it doesn't sound like a spectrum problem. Epilepsy? I don't know.

With interventions my son turned into the sweetest young adult on earth and he is doing very well as far as progressing in the work field too! He has also learned to relate to other people, although he is selective about it, and he does have friends now and participate in sports and has a life, which we never thought was possible when he was just your son's age. But he got a lot of help very early on. It matters!!!!
 

Jamieh

New Member
I talked with his Occupational Therapist (OT) today and asked her if she thought he showed signs of asperger's. She said yes. But she said a lot of his issues were also from his ADHD. She told me to def keep him on the waiting list to see the dr for an evaluation but until then she would work with him on some of the issues that she has noticed. She is amazing with him. And has been a great support for me and keeps me encouraged even when I feel like breaking down. But she said Asperger's would explain a lot of his behaviors.
 

InsaneCdn

Well-Known Member
I'm assuming the Occupational Therapist (OT) did an assessment for sensory challenges? how about on the motor skills?
Because... whenever you get in to that comprehensive evaluation, the Occupational Therapist (OT) report is going to be "another piece of the puzzle".
 

Jamieh

New Member
yeah she done the sensory evaluation. I need to get a copy of her report. She said his gross and fine motors were pretty delayed. but she works a lot with- him on both as does his vision therapist.
 

InsaneCdn

Well-Known Member
Did she TEST motor skills?
If not... see if you can't get that done, too.
The REPORTS are worth more than "comments", even coming from another health professional like an Occupational Therapist (OT).
 

BusynMember

Well-Known Member
I talked with his Occupational Therapist (OT) today and asked her if she thought he showed signs of asperger's. She said yes. But she said a lot of his issues were also from his ADHD. She told me to def keep him on the waiting list to see the dr for an evaluation but until then she would work with him on some of the issues that she has noticed. She is amazing with him. And has been a great support for me and keeps me encouraged even when I feel like breaking down. But she said Asperger's would explain a lot of his behaviors.

Occupational Therapist (OT)'s don't diagnose aspergers. You need a long evaluation process for that and I recommend a neuropsychologist. My son had ten hours of testing and the neuro didn't miss a trick. An Occupational Therapist (OT) is only an expert in one thing. You need a comprehensive evaluation.
 

Jamieh

New Member
I just asked for her opinion. she works with- a lot of kids on the spectrum. She is one of the best Occupational Therapist (OT)'s in this area. But he is on a waiting list to see a specialist. July is when we are expected to get in. I have not asked any of his therapists to diagnose him. I just asked her opinion because his counselor told me that she believed he exhibited a lot of signs of it and that it would be in his best interest to have him evaluated for it. But I already had him on the waiting list for this specialist.
 

HaoZi

CD Hall of Fame
If you haven't already started reading books on Asperger's I'd do now - he certainly sounds Aspie. Tony Attwood writes a lot of helpful ones.
 

buddy

New Member
I would do the same. A good Occupational Therapist (OT) has been around many kids witb Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and I'd be curious what she thought too

There are several parents here whose kids are Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) -like and for whatever reason aren't diagnosed or don't meet criteria.

Still, Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) teaching and therapy methods are chosen because they match their child's learning style. It really can't hurt and.could give you lots of ideas.

Be open to Asperger's ideas and general or high functioning Autism or Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Many of the ideas work , it depends on the needs of your child.

You're doing the right stuff, it's all just slow going and hard.
 

BusynMember

Well-Known Member
There are teachers who have been around a lot of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) kids too. The fact is, all Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) kids are different and in my opinion you really need a special kind of testing to know if this is what you are dealing with. I am in a parent group for Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) kids. Some are very into themselves and sit alone and mumble. Some yell inappropriate things at the life guards (we usually meet at an indoor pool). Some act appropriately and are just quiet with all the people they don't know that well around. Some go up to other kids and scream in their faces then laugh. Some are jumping off the rafters. None of them are good at socializing...that's the common thread.
 
Top