aspergers/ADHD

Lori - posted on 04/06/2011

sounds more like a form of mild autism.. the block stacking and non verbal stuff got my attention.



To calm him down try using a baby hair brush on his arms and legs..Softly brushing his arms and legs... Sounds crazy but I learned about this in pre-k.. used this on my oldest son.. Wish I could remember where they got this from.. I can ask his old teacher she is still there. But this worked great calming him down at nap time and when he got out of control.



It had something to do with sensory stuff.. Sorry I'm brain dead and this was about 7 years ago.

Kristi - posted on 04/06/2011

In re-reading your post...since the language is late it is NOT Asperger's. One major characteristic of a person with Asperger's is ADVANCED speech/talking. I would lean more on the Austism side.

Just remember, these kids are just trying to survive in a world that they don't understand and that certainly doesn't understand or show patience and compassion for them. The more love and patience we show them, along with consistent discipline, the better they do.

Look up floortime. This is an amazing technique that seems to really work with these kids. It is not THE answer, but part of a solution to some of the behaviors.

Good luck!

Nazari - posted on 11/17/2010

u have look for resources that are there, if he doesnt speak he going to turn aggresive,behavior therapy, speech therapy, work, and they probrably should try some medication, it probrably get worst, when he continue growing.

Cheynee - posted on 09/08/2010

Hi Mel,
I live in brisbane and have a nearly 5yo son with autism. He sounds ALOT like ur little man. He is non-verbal though. Let me know if u wanna chat :)

Mika - posted on 09/03/2010

My best advice is to get as much information as you can because that is key to everything. Also, you need to pray because there are more trying times ahead. Don't let them tell you that your child is fine when you know something isn't quite right. Stay vigilant, and stay strong. My son has asperger's, and tourettes, and ocd (which has kinda fallen to the backburner to the other issues), and adhd. They say that he needs lots of medication, but the only thing I allow him to be on that helps with just about everything as long as we keep up with his neurology appointments is TENEX, generic GUANFACINE. He surprises all his doctors because as soon as he started the medicine it began to help with EVERYTHING; he quit climbing the walls, he quit break dancing out of nowhere, he started actually staying in his seat, etc. The list goes on, lol. And now he is pretty well maintained. I think that one thing that helped me to cope until we got a diagnosis and treatment was to not treat him like he was sick because I don't believe he is sick - I believe he just deals with everything in a different way than most people.

Nae - posted on 09/02/2010

My son goes to a neurologist. He seems to understand his behaviors a little more than a paediatrician. Maybe that would help.

Jacqueline - posted on 09/02/2010

This link was so helpful to me. It also has printable checklists for each characteristic. Check all that apply no matter how slight or severe and talk to your pediatirican!! I did!!!

http://school.familyeducation.com/learni...

Candy - posted on 08/31/2010

It is sounding like something on the Autism spectrum,possible Asperger's.It can also be ADHD but being his speech is late,their is definately a problem there.

Susan - posted on 08/27/2010

You might want to see a developmental pediatrician. If your regular pediatrician will not refer you I would find one on my own!

Beth - posted on 08/27/2010

you need to have a psychiatric evaluation done so that you can get him and IEP for school, a TSS if needed for school, medication if needed as well as therapy. Your pediatrician will not treat a child that age with medication because most medication for this type of behavior is only approved for children over the age of 6. But, if you get the right psychiatrist, you will be able to get medication that will work for your son. Don't give up, keep searching for that correct link that will help your son and make your life so much easier. My son was doing similar things at that age. He will be 7 in October and we are still working on monitoring his medication because as he grows things change but things are 100% better than they were 3 years ago.

Mel - posted on 08/23/2010

maretta i know what you mean by that my son has his preference to his father than to me but he is not quite at the stage where he asks adult questions for he cannot speak that well yet but im sure in time, i completely understand i love it when conor goes to kindy, i can clean the house and enjoy it for that day until he comes home, i swear things can get so bad sometimes with conor i want to give him away to soomeone professional because, i never expected to be given this child that i can't handle sometimes BUT he must be kept in routine or it gives him excuse to play up big time, timeouts CAN work, in the corner does not because they have not got the capacity to sit still, my paed keeps telling tme to get reading material, i have got all the info right in front of me living with me like thats not enough, 5 mins in his office does not show him what conor is capable of, this whole situation is so damn frustrating, i can't even get help with our government benefits apparently he is not severe enough, thats ashame because that means we can't even get respite for the child, that is all i ask here i don't want the governments stupid money, just a break from my over-energised son with learning difficulties and repetetive behavior, and those words are what describe aspergers/ADHD

Maretta - posted on 08/23/2010

right, things go okay as long as she knows they are going the way she thinks they should but when she realizes that she is NOT in control that is when she goes off the deep end. We tried the putting in the corner and she would scream, yell, and we even tried letting her sit in a chair in the corner just for the short time we had her in the corner and she would take the chair and slam it down pick it up again and slam it down again and again, she has even took and hit and kicked me in my chest when she would get mad. No I haven't tried the 1,2,3 magic book what is it? Is it a book for her to read or for me to read to help me deal with her? That is what I am needing, it has gotten so bad that when she wants to play she asks her daddy to play with her when he does they play for like 3 or 4 hrs. or more and then he tries to do something or watch something on the TV and when she realizes this she comes and says "daddy will you play with me" if he says No I am watching or doing something she has a fit and says "YOU never play with me" and she will keep asking him every 2 or 3 mins. she can't take the word NO very well, I can't even do what I want to do. I am a DJ on an Internet Radio and when she hears me or sees that I am trying to do my show she says "Momma can I be on the radio too?" or she will yell at her daddy making him yell back at her and then my listeners hear all this makes it hard for me to compete with all the yelling. but if she isn't the center of attention then no one or nothing gets to enjoy theirselves. We have taken her Vsmile, DS, Movies, TV and some toys away from her for her behavior which has done NO good she has no remorse or expression for anything she does wrong, shoot she don't even care that I work as hard as I do to keep the house looking nice she just messes it up as soon as I get it done.

Anita - posted on 08/23/2010

i have two boys the youngest has adhd,odd,ocd and asperges my oldest has add,learning problems and anxiety.there are times when things go smoothly and other times it falls around my knees at the moment we are having anger issues with my youngest and it is hard on everyone.sometimes homework is easy and other times i have a battle.have you tried the 1,2,3 magic book.it helps to get them under control it didn"t totally work for us cause putting him in the corner just set him off and made him go out of control for hours throwing things and trying to hurt us.but we took his favourite things off him like the computer ,ds,sonyand x-box but not the things he sleeps with.

Maretta - posted on 08/22/2010

Also I might add that this little girl does not try to remember anything we tell her, nor does she try to do for herself as another 6 yr. old would. She acts one way with me along and then when her dad is home she acts another way, I have even witnessed her asking her father questions like I would(as his wife) and he don't see the wrong in that she has as much told me that it is my JOB to do what I do around the home and to pick up and clean up after her. she is very good at Manipulation learned by her biological mom.

Maretta - posted on 08/22/2010

Hi Shellie,
My Step daughter has the same thing ADHD, ODD & OCD. She is okay for about the 1st hr. after getting up in the morning but then watch out all **** breaks loose. She is taking 37 mg. of Concerta right now but that wears off around 4 when she gets home from school and even then the teachers have a hard time dealing with her she does what she wants and throws a fit if she can't. I have tried several methods as to getting a handle(so to speak) on her behavior this yr. she is in the 1st grade and the teachers have warned us if it keeps up they will send to the principal, we have tried the corner thing with time out, sending her to her room and taking things away from her which nothing seems to help. She shows NO kind of remorse for any wrong she does we have talked to her dr. about it and all he says is she needs to get to a physicists. I have done my homework on the ODD and the OCD and the ADHD I myself and her father have the Adult ADD I have had for 52 yrs. they just diagnosed me about 8 mos. ago, my step daughter is 6 yrs old and the age thing is always thrown up at me but this little girl has been tested and her IQ is off the charts, and she knows it for when they let us know this they told us with her standing right there next to us to hear. Her mother has always treated her like she is grown to the point that her mother has let this little girl tell her how to do what to do and even what bills have to be paid, not to mention that her mother has dropped her off for what was suppose to be 2 or 3 days and it lasted like 2 or 3 weeks with a family friend(this was before I married the father). Now she talks to me like I am stupid or something and is very rude sometimes, we can't even play any games without her being Vindictive towards me but her father says NO she isn't she is just being a little girl and having fun. How would you deal with this plus me being the Step Mom? And that is what she calls me(her the little girl's idea) Mom

Mel - posted on 08/22/2010

we have a little room, in our house where we can put him out there and close the door if he gets to the point he can't control himself the other day he was like that he put himself out there lol, i was shocked but he was ok after about 10 mins, yea he acts like a ADHD to most thats what you would see if you met him without the catapres in his system, if he has had a catapres the more autistic side comes out because the catapres has slowed him down enough so the autistic side shows through, he has half in the morning when he fisihes his brekkie then another half just before his nap at midday, he then becomes fine until bedtime when he does get tired now and asks to go to bed so the ADHD side does not completely dominate, thanks for talking to me

Christina - posted on 08/22/2010

I have a son that has ADHD, opositional defiance (which means he will do exactly the oposite of what I tell him, just to defy me, and other adults) and he has a touch of autism... It is very difficult, and I have tried, and am still trying anything and everything I see, hear, read... the best thing I can say is, keep at it, what ever you think is right, to teach him things... have you asked if he is autistic or defiant... my kids go to therapy, and it seems to help, they also go to Anger Management to help them learn ways to control their own anger issues.. a BIG stuffed toy helps.. whenever he feels mad, hurt, upset, let him go to town hitting the toy, its a sort of release on things that dont get hurt, and it helped my sons.. wish I could help you more ...

Laura - posted on 08/22/2010

sounds like autism... have you gone to a neourologist?... they can diagnosis these behaviors.

Maria - posted on 08/22/2010

HI

I know how you are feeling Mel Moore we live in the UK and my almost 7 year old has alot of the problems your son has I have been told he has ADHD and ASD traits but can't get know help coz he falls smack bang in the middle of both conditions we have to wait till he is older when he starts leaning towards more 1 than the other. My son also makes Random loud noises, had to have speech therapy and his education is effected. Like you I try not to take him to public places e.g. shopping coz he runs off, makes his noises and tries to rearrange the shop etc. not only that I get sick of people giving him dirty looks as they see him a naughty child when he is not and he can't help the thinks he does. He rearranges my ornaments and things at home and won't eat his dinner unless he has matching cutlury that has to placed a certain way and the cups are placed in a certain spot on the table and if you sit in a different seat and the dinner table he gets really upset and confused. School holidays are a nightmare especially the ones that go on for 2 weeks or more as he gets hard to manage because he is out of routine and the slightest little thing he gets into a tearfull angry state (Our summer school hol's are 6 weeks long and we are just over half way now and he is not coping well at all) You need to keep going back to the doc and medical professionals to get the help and support you need and you need to make an nusiance of your self to get the help you need or they will just leave you to it that is what I have to do. Having said that I would not change any of my kids for the world inc my son as they are my little miracals as I was told I would not be able to have kids.

Mel - posted on 08/22/2010

i am also looking to make friends with mums that have kids with aspergers/autism, i live in logan central/brisbane area would really like to learn from your experiences and see how conor goes around kids like him :)

Mel - posted on 08/22/2010

oh god thankyou for responding to me, i've had some pretty negative responses from AEIOU members

he will be starting prep in 2 years but the kindy has told me he definitely needs some help i even have a government lady that goes in and specially asists conor so i have some ammo,
and yes shellie he has the obsession with thomas he has a thomas bed and a thomas train set its his toot toot he calls it, loves chugington and cars very specific with what he likes too, and he only has his dad do everything for him, very routine goes to bed at 7 has to be carried turns toilet light on, night terrors have eased since the light, then goes to bed must be kissed and cuddled then only daddy can close the door, we ahve to lock his door at night otherwise he will wake unbeknown to us and just have a field day in the house, we have removed his bedroom light for he used to wake at 1 and 2 in the morning and just start playing, thankyou for listening because my paediatrician hasn't been hopefully he will this time round

Anastasia - posted on 08/21/2010

My son is 4 and sounds very similar to your son, we are in the process of getting him diagnosed, I know he has ADHD, because he does not sit at all, he is on the go all day long, he also has speech problem... My son is in a specialized preschool where he gets spech therapy, OT (including therapy for sensory integration) he also gets overwhelmed and doesnt know how to calm himself down, he runs away from me too, I do not leave the house without a harness and I always have his jogging stroller in the car, yes he is a bit old for the stroller but there are times that i need to have him restrained because he is too fast for me, he is my youngest, Im 49. Next week we see the neurologist and hopefully we will get a diagnosis for him , although the neurologist has suggested he has tendencies on the spectrum... I also have a 20 yr old with Tourettes Syndrome and ADHD, he will be starting his junior year at college in 10 days, and my 16 yrold has ADHD, and had developmental issues as a small child, and now has multiple medical issues as a teenager including migraines, ulcers, and fibromyalgia.... It is not easy mothering children with special needs but I wouldnt trade them for anything, you will find that they will be brillant in their own way, My oldest is a talented artist, my middle son, has a photographic memory, is quite funny, and can debate any issue hands down, its hard winning an argument with him, and the little one we'll see he can be quite charming, and is showing a real knack with computers... yes it is mentally exhausting, but no one is going to fight and support your child like you will. Get a diagnosis, if you havent seen a neurologist... do so, pediatricians arent the experts in this area, once you have a diagnosis if you neurologist doesnt specialize in the diagnosis you got find one that does (my oldest doesnt see a neuro he sees a psychiatrist that specializes in Tourettes and ADHD, she actually does research, and gives lectures) Then do your own research and become an expert, you need to know more than the schools so they cant bully and push you around.... and last dont forget to just love them,,,, good luck...

Alicia - posted on 08/21/2010

Wow, sounds like you have your hands full. You need to take some solace in that you are trying your best right now. My son is 5 1/2 now and was diagnosed with ADHD and sensory issues. Education is most important, but it also takes time so please be patient. A couple of good ideas that the therapist really supported were: videotaping and refering to the DSM. Before my son went for his testing, we videotaped him during preschool and home so the doctor could havea really good understanding of what we are dealing with at home. Also look through the DSM and write down notes and examples for the criteria. Also, have you looked into his diet and supplements? I have seen a lot of changes in my son when I removed dairy, wheat and introduced some key vitamins: Calcium/magnesium and Omegas. They help to regulate his energy and behavior. It is not the end all solution, but it sure helps.
Stay strong and know that your son loves you more than anyone.

Kristi - posted on 08/21/2010

Please remember that it is not his fault. He is only reacting to the world in the only way he knows. The reason he most likely loses control in the morning is because he is overwhelmed. He sounds like he may have sensory processing issues also, which is very common in asperger's.

You definately need to get the school on this! Is it a public school system? If so, they HAVE to evaluate him and get help for him. FIND AN ADVOCATE who can help you with the school, because you may have a fight on your hands to get them to do what he needs for help.
There are so many resources out there. Do not be discouraged. Your son is so very special and needs love and understanding more than anything in the world, especially from you!! It is difficult, I know. But look at the positives of every day, look at his strengths and use those to help him.

Shellie - posted on 08/21/2010

Sounds familiar.. i have one of those... which also has OCD & ODD... it's all moderate.. we have our moments.. homework is a challenge. we have an TA for school that follows him. Yes, do you research because i did. there are tons of info out there. is he obsessed with thomas the train yet? he may get that way. my son is 16 & still loves thomas. Just wait till puberty.. it's not an easy thing. He is on Adderall xr for his adhd. we have tried strettera, ritalin, focalin & concerta... Good luck.. keep up updated!

Allyson - posted on 08/20/2010

poor baby.
My youngest I think has aspergers. My niece who is now 19 has been diagnosed with it.
What I would do is get educated. Get some books on aspergers. That way you can go to the pediatrician armed with examples of situations of why you think this, and maybe that will get the ball moving faster.
The sooner the better since he will be starting school soon.