Does my son have a form of add or sensory issue?

Kathleen - posted on 09/09/2012

I ,too, have a 9 year old boy who is very bright and bites his nails,etc. He also has an anxiety disorder.I am a teacher in middle school and I see what "stress" can do to the mind and body.

My son also gets good grades and the teachers in the past have said the same- seems off task.

I can tell you as a 25 year teacher and mother , this does not sound like ADD OR ADHD -you would have seen signs much earliet.

Grade 3 and up are very difficult- especially for the child who does not have the reading skills to "read to learn".

I would talk to him. Have him share any concerns. Talk to his guidance counselor at school- maybe a counselor outside of school.

Hope this helps.

Kathie

Beth - posted on 09/08/2012

Btw, the head banging, nail biting and fist clinching do sound like sensory- seeking things. I'd suggest reading The Out of Sync Child.

Patty - posted on 09/08/2012

It is scary to put your child on meds. I did use them for both my children for a few years. One son with ADHD and one with Aspergers and the side effects that could happen from these out weighed how much they actually helped my boys. I wanted to go a more natural way so I started using products from a company called IsXperia. we use a product called OPC and I can tell when my boys don't take it on a daily basis. My son with Aspergers I also have him use a product called Mystique patch it helps enhance his mood, on him I use a full patch because he is a 6 foot 12 yr. old but average child I would use 1/2 a patch, it also help promote healthy sleep and when he is having extra difficulty sleeping I give him Serenity he says it works instantly. These are all natural,amazing products, I use them as well as my kids. The owner of this company puts a lot of pride in his products and he wants them to be safe enough for anyone to use. I know a lot of children with ADHD and Autism, Aspergers have issues with sleep and are young children, so when I asked him about the product Serenity and is it safe for children he said he would have no problem giving it to his 5 yr. old. These are links to the products I use, if you have any questions about them or ADHD, or Aspergers and want to talk more just drop me a line at pattysweet@me.com http://vitalxpression.com/pattysweet/Pro... http://vitalxpression.com/pattysweet/Pro...

Gina - posted on 09/08/2012

My daughter is 10yrs old she bites her nails when she is stressed or something is bothering her. She has problems doing her work in school and at home. She refuses to do the work. This usually happens when there is something else going on that I don't know about.

Talk to your son and see if there is something else happening at school, in the playground, on the way home, etc. He may not tell you right away. Let him know he can come to you and talk about anything. If that doesn't work take him in for a check up if it'll help your peace of mind and just in case there is something medically wrong you can find out that too.

Denice - posted on 09/07/2012

Talk to your pediatrician. My daughter was also thought to have add or adhd. I took her to the pediatrician for a regular visit and mentioned it to her. She was able to tell me at that visit that there were not any issues. She observed her during that time and said if she had an issue it would have come out by now. But I do agree there is an evaluation that you and Dr and school fill out. I'm not a fan of meds. Look into alternative options to help him cope. Blessings

Namrata - posted on 09/07/2012

Amanda,



I would suggest meeting the school counselor, mostly they are able to help. Also, try making him do things / activities he enjoys, not TV ! this will keep him busy and help his co-ordination.

!

Judy - posted on 09/07/2012

Great suggestion, Beth. For years now the therapists have had our son listen to classical music while he reads and does homework -- really helps with focus skills!

Beth - posted on 09/07/2012

After you talk with his teacher and doctor to have him evaluated, you may want to try listening therapy. We have a son with sensory issues, but it can also be used to treat ADD, autism, focus, anxiety, etc. The company we're using is REI, and I'd encourage you to check out their website and read the company history and explanations for how it works. It's described as "music that's medicine," and it's a great, legit alternative to medicating:-)

Amanda - posted on 09/07/2012

He isnt being bullied, actually the kid makes friends very easily, and he tells us everything. His hearing is normal and he wears glasses already, gets checked regularly. Thanks for all the advice!

Judy - posted on 09/07/2012

Amanda (sorry I got your name wrong earlier) my son has Asperger's , and has a lot of the symptoms described so far. But only a professional can tell you what is really going on. Good luck, and Blessings to you and your family.

Destene - posted on 09/07/2012

Some of the things your son does sounds a bit like Tourette's Disorder. These things he's doing really sound like tics. My son is now 17 but was diagnosed with ADHD when he was 3, and I didn't find out he had Tourette's till he was in 5th grade. I kept a list of the things he did at home, and asked the teachers to do the same. I did alot of research on the internet to help me understand what was going on with my son. Usually when a child is diagnosed with ADD or ADHD this disorder is accompanied by another. In my son's case it is Tourette's Disorder. Tourette's has their own website and it is extremely informative. They also include a list of tics. That list is what helped me realize that, "yes, my son has Tourette's." I too have ADHD and Tourette's, it's passed on genetically. I as well clinch my hands and run my thumb over my fingertips. I'm a pencil tapper, leg shaker, and tend to make funny sounds and the least expected times. My son's tics vary. What I observed over time was that his tics changed each year. What he'd been doing in first grade changed to something different in second grade and so on has the years went by. These children are extremely smart and very talented. They just need lots of attention, guidance and re-direction. I purchased a DVD from the Tourette's website called, "I have Tourette's, but Tourette's Doesn't Have Me." I did this to help educate myself then I used it in Middle School to advocate for my son. Other kids can be very cruel and not understanding. I was given permission to show the DVD to the students and answer questions afterwards. This helped the students better understand why my son did the things he did. So many had no idea that this was the issue. Some were humbled and very apologetic and some continued to be kids. All I know is at that time in my son's life it was very helpful to him to put it out there to educate his peers. There are alot of different ways of helping your son. I started with his Pediatrician, then he was referred to a Neurologist. He takes medication to help maintain his focus and tics, and he is a very successful student with a 4.0 GPA. Good Luck!!

Judy - posted on 09/07/2012

Lisal, you are absolutely right when you say you'll see a counselor. Nail biting and other issues can be related to stress -- is he being bullied at school, on the play ground, or elsewhere? Does he have a physical problem causing a slight learning problem (for example, has his hearing and eyesight been checked recently)? See a counselor, have your doctor give him a good physical exam, and talk to his teacher. What a great mom you are to pay attention to these issues! I'm sure that whatever it is, you'll do a good job of finding out and helping your son.

Camille - posted on 09/07/2012

We went to our Pedi. They had a questionnaire for his teacher to fill out and then one for me and one for dad. They tallied the answers to find out my son has adhd. He does all the same things as your son. Mine also bites his lips. Our Dr said that being sensitive and emotional are symptoms as well. My son got in trouble for talking since K but we didn't have him tested until 2nd grade. The teachers didn't think he had it. He has been medicated for two years now. We only give him meds on school days though. Never during the summer or on weekends.



I was also diagnosed with add during this time. Wish I would have known my problem during school.



Good luck, just talk to your Pedi.

Shannon - posted on 09/06/2012

I have 5 kids, 2 with ADHD and 1 with ADD. And both parents. Consult with both your pedi and the counselor. In the meantime, start with lists and charts on a simple reward system. My kids have cards to remind them of the daily tasks from rising to bed, weekly chore charts, and assignment books for school. Talk to his teacher, she has probably seen this and might have suggestions to what has worked. Hope this helps!

Patty - posted on 09/06/2012

Yes it can be, but my son with ADHD bites his nails. There brains are hundred miles an hour and need to keep themselves busy one way or another, if they aren't fiddling with something with there hands they are moving around. That's why I think you should have him tested it could be something totally different. And yes I would absolutely have the school counselor involved in what ever you do.

Beth - posted on 09/06/2012

Nail biting can be OCD. Counselor is a good place to start!

Patty - posted on 09/06/2012

Hi Amanda, I work in a school as a special education para, I work with children with disabilities from adhd to autism. I have 2 children, 1 with autism (aspergers) and 1 adhd the only way you will know for sure is to take him to a doctor and do a test. It's just a questioner you fill out the way he acts like at home and the school gets one to fill out on how he acts there and are sent in and compared, they have to meet a certain criteria for it to be labeled as anything. Don't be afraid to do this it will only help him, I see to many parents that don't want to admit there child may have a problem like this and that is only hurting the child. You are already showing how much you care for your son and wanting to help him by being on her for advice, you will be his best advocate, the longer parents wait to help there children the harder it is. You sound like a great mom headed in the right direction. Good luck, and when things seem hard or things you don't understand I read a lot of books on the subjects and concealing with my son that has aspergers not only helped him it helped me.

Amanda - posted on 09/06/2012

I'm going to start with the school counselor, I'd never give up on him, ever, no matter what my kids are all unique and add to our family

In their own way. I just don't want him to struggle later in life. Thanks for the advice

Lisa - posted on 09/06/2012

my parents took me to a therapyst and they told him all the things i was having a hard time with and was doing. then he put me on meds for concentration. that might help him or if they dont put him on meds it might give u insight on if theres something hes reacting to emotionally. of course if going to a therapyst doesnt help then dont go back. but usually when it has to deal with things more than a cold or physical illness it sometimes is more than a pedatrician area. im not in my mid 20,s and i dont take meds for it anymore ive grown out of it. but my husband takes meds to help him sit still and concentrate and hes 30 so it all epebds on the person. but one thing i really appreciate now is my parents neing patient with me and trying to be understanding cause being young it was out of my control. so them not giving up and trying to help me made all the difference even though it can get pricey. your kid will thank you later for it!!! lisa

Amanda - posted on 09/06/2012

I agree, I dont think its adhd, as he isnt hyper by any means and if we say "dustin" stop or whatever, he says "ok" or "sorry" or whatever. He is a very loving and sweet boy, he loves to touch things, different textures or whatever, but doesnt mind having his hands dirty, I dont know where to start I guess, do we go to our Peds or a therapist or what, not sure what our options are, guess I need to do more checking. I will keep updating

Lisa - posted on 09/06/2012

im not a doctor so of course this might or mighr not help. all growing up i could never sit still or talk without interupting some one. i was a really hyper child. acted out to get attention did good in school when i remwmbered to han d things in but had to have people explain things to me several times which would make peoplw get very frustrated with me then i would just completelyvshut down. i had to be reminded of things all the time and have my mom make a lust and sit with me to check things off. theres many difderent levels and different issues that add is and theres adhd which is more not holding still and not being able to calm down. my daughter who is 7 im pretty positice has add shes a lot like i was. i havent yet decided what to do with her cause of lack of money to see a doctor for it. course at this age its hard to tell. good luck let me know what happens lisa