Chellaine
02-20-2004, 10:34 PM
My 4 year old son was diagnosed with ADHD today but I think there is more to it than that. I knew there was a problem from the time he was about 1 1/2 yrs old. He IS hyper and always has been. His attention span is about this long __ . BUT, He also has other things going on like, fascination with fire, to the point of almost burning my house down last week, He found a lighter, yes my fault and I feel horrible and blame myself, started a fire in a garbage can in the living room while I was in the kitchen and almost caught the curtains on fire. The whole time just staring at the fire and laughing. He is also obsessive/compulsive. He didn't talk until he was 3. He is developmentally delayed, he is at the age level of a 2 yr old. He can not go to pre-school at public school, he has to go to the psychiatric center in our city, luckily they have a wonderful pre-school program for children like him. He shows little emotion other than anger. He has never shown sadness or remorse. When he hurts someone, he doesn't care. For a while I thought he had toddler Tourettes for the way he was cussing everyone out, words I don't even use. The school says it's normal with kids like him. Not normal for kids, but for kids like him. He has never wanted to be touched much, he won't let you cuddle or hug him much, unless it's his idea. It hurts me so bad to see him this way, I love him so much and I sit and wonder if this is all my fault? What did I do for him to deserve this? And will he ever forgive me. The Psychiatrist today said he has some Autistic traits but he isn't Autistic. I just don't understand. He also said that in children this young, they don't like to put them on meds for ADHD or hyperactivity but because he is so violent he wants to try him on Risperdal and see how that works. He is to take 1/2 of a 0.25 pill every morning to start.
Well, I am sorry this was so long but I had so much to say, I have so much more but I don't want to write a book.
Thank you all for letting me vent.
Chellaine
Well, I am sorry this was so long but I had so much to say, I have so much more but I don't want to write a book.
Thank you all for letting me vent.
Chellaine
Sponsor
Chellaine
02-21-2004, 02:07 AM
A few things I wanted to mention about his behavior also are that he is a head banger, when he gets mad, he will bang his head on anything near him, be it carpeted floor, concrete, wood furniture, it doesn't matter, he has done that since he was about 1 1/2. He also has a couple of speech impediments, slight echolalia and a slight stutter, neither of them are very bad, but they are there. Another thing is discipline, it has no effect, if he does something, we discipline him, he turns around and does it again immediately, we discipline, he turns around and does it again, etc...
It's a viscious circle. He act like he just doesn't understand what the meaning of discipline is and what the meaning of the wrong-doing is.
Thanks again,
Chellaine
It's a viscious circle. He act like he just doesn't understand what the meaning of discipline is and what the meaning of the wrong-doing is.
Thanks again,
Chellaine
Sandson
02-21-2004, 03:31 AM
A few things I wanted to mention about his behavior also are that he is a head banger, when he gets mad, he will bang his head on anything near him, be it carpeted floor, concrete, wood furniture, it doesn't matter, he has done that since he was about 1 1/2. He also has a couple of speech impediments, slight echolalia and a slight stutter, neither of them are very bad, but they are there. Another thing is discipline, it has no effect, if he does something, we discipline him, he turns around and does it again immediately, we discipline, he turns around and does it again, etc...
It's a viscious circle. He act like he just doesn't understand what the meaning of discipline is and what the meaning of the wrong-doing is.
Thanks again,
Chellaine
Chellanine:
As a special educator, I have worked with students moderate to severe disablities. I have experience with working with students who have ADD and Autism. From what you have written so far, I have come to the determination that your child may not have ADD but may be Autistic. The behaviors that your child is exibiting corrseponds with children who have Autism. You may want to get him tested so that he can get the services that he deserves. With good interventions from a psychologist and early intervention program, your child will eventually be able to grow out of his behavior.
It's a viscious circle. He act like he just doesn't understand what the meaning of discipline is and what the meaning of the wrong-doing is.
Thanks again,
Chellaine
Chellanine:
As a special educator, I have worked with students moderate to severe disablities. I have experience with working with students who have ADD and Autism. From what you have written so far, I have come to the determination that your child may not have ADD but may be Autistic. The behaviors that your child is exibiting corrseponds with children who have Autism. You may want to get him tested so that he can get the services that he deserves. With good interventions from a psychologist and early intervention program, your child will eventually be able to grow out of his behavior.
hope4health
02-21-2004, 04:22 AM
I don't like to alarm you, but I have to agree with Sandson also. Many of those scenarios are very uncharacteristic for a child with ADD. Maybe get a 2nd opinion, or do some research of your own about ADD and see if your child actually "fits the description". Good Luck!
Chellaine
02-21-2004, 11:03 AM
Thank you for your replies, they are much appreciated. I wanted to let you know that he has been tested for Autism and they tell me that he is not Autistic, mainly because he can talk. I think they are full of it. The psychiatrist also told me that yesterday, that thee is no way he is Autistic. He also has Impuls Control Disorder, he has no self control, and he knows it. If he sees an open door, he is compelled to run through it and keep running, therefore, I have to keep locks on all my doors in my house. I even have a lock on the inside of my bedroom door, I have to lock us in our bedroom at night, otherwise, he wakes up before me and runs outside and down the street. If we go to a store, we have to keep him either in a cart or put him on his harness and leash, if we don't, he will run off. Holding his hand just don't work, he get's very antsy and throws a fit and don't want you to touch him. That's the reason for the leash, for the "no contact".
Thanks again for the responses.
Chellaine
Thanks again for the responses.
Chellaine
vrie
02-23-2004, 12:54 AM
There are several types of Autism Spectrum Disorders. Also look up Asperger's. As I understand it, Asperger's is like a "high-functioning" autism. "No contact" is very common in the Autism spectrum as is OCD. ADHD goes along with that too.
annecy
02-23-2004, 12:54 PM
I agree strongly with V'rie about the asperger's syndrome. It was one of the first things that came to my mind. Also, My poor mom used to tell me that it made her so sad that even as a baby I would refuse to be rocked to sleep. I worked with several kids with aspergers and the manipulation and selfish ideals (not considering others pain or effort) are common. I can't help but to wonder if his birth was traumatic??
maak823
03-10-2004, 01:38 PM
Chellaine-
I quite agree with some of the other posters- many with Autism can speak quite well - they are just high functioning. I think I would seek one or two more opinions on this- this is not just ADHD. Find a Pediatric Psychologist who specializes in this area. There is also a strong chance of Ausbergers Syndrome as well. (Also, ADHD can not be accurately diagnosed until a child is at least the age of 8 years)
I wish you the best of luck :angel:
-M
Thank you for your replies, they are much appreciated. I wanted to let you know that he has been tested for Autism and they tell me that he is not Autistic, mainly because he can talk. I think they are full of it. The psychiatrist also told me that yesterday, that thee is no way he is Autistic. He also has Impuls Control Disorder, he has no self control, and he knows it. If he sees an open door, he is compelled to run through it and keep running, therefore, I have to keep locks on all my doors in my house. I even have a lock on the inside of my bedroom door, I have to lock us in our bedroom at night, otherwise, he wakes up before me and runs outside and down the street. If we go to a store, we have to keep him either in a cart or put him on his harness and leash, if we don't, he will run off. Holding his hand just don't work, he get's very antsy and throws a fit and don't want you to touch him. That's the reason for the leash, for the "no contact".
Thanks again for the responses.
Chellaine
I quite agree with some of the other posters- many with Autism can speak quite well - they are just high functioning. I think I would seek one or two more opinions on this- this is not just ADHD. Find a Pediatric Psychologist who specializes in this area. There is also a strong chance of Ausbergers Syndrome as well. (Also, ADHD can not be accurately diagnosed until a child is at least the age of 8 years)
I wish you the best of luck :angel:
-M
Thank you for your replies, they are much appreciated. I wanted to let you know that he has been tested for Autism and they tell me that he is not Autistic, mainly because he can talk. I think they are full of it. The psychiatrist also told me that yesterday, that thee is no way he is Autistic. He also has Impuls Control Disorder, he has no self control, and he knows it. If he sees an open door, he is compelled to run through it and keep running, therefore, I have to keep locks on all my doors in my house. I even have a lock on the inside of my bedroom door, I have to lock us in our bedroom at night, otherwise, he wakes up before me and runs outside and down the street. If we go to a store, we have to keep him either in a cart or put him on his harness and leash, if we don't, he will run off. Holding his hand just don't work, he get's very antsy and throws a fit and don't want you to touch him. That's the reason for the leash, for the "no contact".
Thanks again for the responses.
Chellaine
injured betty
03-10-2004, 01:57 PM
My 4 year old son was diagnosed with ADHD today but I think there is more to it than that. I knew there was a problem from the time he was about 1 1/2 yrs old. He IS hyper and always has been. His attention span is about this long __ . BUT, He also has other things going on like, fascination with fire, to the point of almost burning my house down last week, He found a lighter, yes my fault and I feel horrible and blame myself, started a fire in a garbage can in the living room while I was in the kitchen and almost caught the curtains on fire. The whole time just staring at the fire and laughing. He is also obsessive/compulsive. He didn't talk until he was 3. He is developmentally delayed, he is at the age level of a 2 yr old. He can not go to pre-school at public school, he has to go to the psychiatric center in our city, luckily they have a wonderful pre-school program for children like him. He shows little emotion other than anger. He has never shown sadness or remorse. When he hurts someone, he doesn't care. For a while I thought he had toddler Tourettes for the way he was cussing everyone out, words I don't even use. The school says it's normal with kids like him. Not normal for kids, but for kids like him. He has never wanted to be touched much, he won't let you cuddle or hug him much, unless it's his idea. It hurts me so bad to see him this way, I love him so much and I sit and wonder if this is all my fault? What did I do for him to deserve this? And will he ever forgive me. The Psychiatrist today said he has some Autistic traits but he isn't Autistic. I just don't understand. He also said that in children this young, they don't like to put them on meds for ADHD or hyperactivity but because he is so violent he wants to try him on Risperdal and see how that works. He is to take 1/2 of a 0.25 pill every morning to start.
Well, I am sorry this was so long but I had so much to say, I have so much more but I don't want to write a book.
Thank you all for letting me vent.
Chellaine
Some kids are born without a conscience, they just are. No one knows why. You didn't really go into detail about his feelings. If he does something wrong or hurts someone, is he sorry? Does he know the difference? You said that he doesn't care, but does he show acknowledgement of wrongdoing? At least he shows anger, that is a start. My foster daughter had no emotions.
I raised a child who had no conscience, a foster child. When she was young she was a high achiever. She also didn't have any impulse control, was OCD, and just didn't care about her actions. As she grew older we realized that it was not something that she chose but was a flaw in her makeup. She didn't have the ability to care. She has since gone on to become a manipulator. Since life was so hard for her she ended up a drug addict and in prison. She is a model prisoner.
This is really scary but from the post that you wrote regarding your son't behavior, one can tell that you are really concerned and rightfully so. Don't take one doctor's word for it, get as many tests and opinions on this as possible as you have your child's future to think about. There are a lot of programs out there who can help you to test him. ADHD is the first diagnoses that doctors usually jump to in my experience. Hopefully you will get better answers. FWIW: Autistic kids can talk and some are very high achievers, even geniuses.
Your son sounds a lot like my foster daughter. My heart breaks when I think about all that she has been through, to no fault of her own, just a bump in the genetic strand.
This may sound really corny, and I don't always agree with Dr. Phil, but you might try contacting him as he seems to have an interest in kids and kids behavior. There is also a book called Indigo Kids that you might want to check out. It helped me.
Well, I am sorry this was so long but I had so much to say, I have so much more but I don't want to write a book.
Thank you all for letting me vent.
Chellaine
Some kids are born without a conscience, they just are. No one knows why. You didn't really go into detail about his feelings. If he does something wrong or hurts someone, is he sorry? Does he know the difference? You said that he doesn't care, but does he show acknowledgement of wrongdoing? At least he shows anger, that is a start. My foster daughter had no emotions.
I raised a child who had no conscience, a foster child. When she was young she was a high achiever. She also didn't have any impulse control, was OCD, and just didn't care about her actions. As she grew older we realized that it was not something that she chose but was a flaw in her makeup. She didn't have the ability to care. She has since gone on to become a manipulator. Since life was so hard for her she ended up a drug addict and in prison. She is a model prisoner.
This is really scary but from the post that you wrote regarding your son't behavior, one can tell that you are really concerned and rightfully so. Don't take one doctor's word for it, get as many tests and opinions on this as possible as you have your child's future to think about. There are a lot of programs out there who can help you to test him. ADHD is the first diagnoses that doctors usually jump to in my experience. Hopefully you will get better answers. FWIW: Autistic kids can talk and some are very high achievers, even geniuses.
Your son sounds a lot like my foster daughter. My heart breaks when I think about all that she has been through, to no fault of her own, just a bump in the genetic strand.
This may sound really corny, and I don't always agree with Dr. Phil, but you might try contacting him as he seems to have an interest in kids and kids behavior. There is also a book called Indigo Kids that you might want to check out. It helped me.
Redhead23
03-11-2004, 05:42 AM
"The Psychiatrist today said he has some Autistic traits but he isn't Autistic. I just don't understand."
Autistic traits are fairly common among ADHD children and adults, just like ADHD traits (inattention, hyper- or hypoactivity etc.) are fairly common among people with autism. This does not automatically mean that a person has both autism and ADHD though.
Has he been evaluated for ODD (Oppositional defiant disorder) and CD (Conduct Disorder)? His firesetting could be related to that - does he display any other deliberately destructive or manipulative behviour?
Autistic traits are fairly common among ADHD children and adults, just like ADHD traits (inattention, hyper- or hypoactivity etc.) are fairly common among people with autism. This does not automatically mean that a person has both autism and ADHD though.
Has he been evaluated for ODD (Oppositional defiant disorder) and CD (Conduct Disorder)? His firesetting could be related to that - does he display any other deliberately destructive or manipulative behviour?
Sandson
03-11-2004, 05:49 AM
Red:
You need to have son evaluated by an specialist who has knowlege of the Autistic Spectrum Disorders (which includes Asperengers Syndrome). I can tell by the comment your psychiatrist made that he/she is not real versed in this area. His diagnosis is inconclusive.
You need to have son evaluated by an specialist who has knowlege of the Autistic Spectrum Disorders (which includes Asperengers Syndrome). I can tell by the comment your psychiatrist made that he/she is not real versed in this area. His diagnosis is inconclusive.
Redhead23
03-11-2004, 06:41 AM
Red:
You need to have son evaluated by an specialist who has knowlege of the Autistic Spectrum Disorders (which includes Asperengers Syndrome). I can tell by the comment your psychiatrist made that he/she is not real versed in this area. His diagnosis is inconclusive.
What on EARTH are you talking about? :confused:
You need to have son evaluated by an specialist who has knowlege of the Autistic Spectrum Disorders (which includes Asperengers Syndrome). I can tell by the comment your psychiatrist made that he/she is not real versed in this area. His diagnosis is inconclusive.
What on EARTH are you talking about? :confused:
Sandson
03-11-2004, 06:50 AM
What on EARTH are you talking about? :confused:
Red:
:wave: I will put this in general terms since you don't understand what I am saying. In other words, the doctor you took your child to see dosen't know crap. :nono: You need to have him evaluated by a doctor who has more experience and training with Autism Spectrum Disorders because what he is saying shows his lack of knowledge in this area. Good Luck. :angel:
Red:
:wave: I will put this in general terms since you don't understand what I am saying. In other words, the doctor you took your child to see dosen't know crap. :nono: You need to have him evaluated by a doctor who has more experience and training with Autism Spectrum Disorders because what he is saying shows his lack of knowledge in this area. Good Luck. :angel:
Sandson
03-11-2004, 06:55 AM
Red:
Opps. I just realized you were commenting on Moon"s son. So, just strike my previous post because I should have directed it to the Moon. In other words, we are on the same page.
Opps. I just realized you were commenting on Moon"s son. So, just strike my previous post because I should have directed it to the Moon. In other words, we are on the same page.
Redhead23
03-11-2004, 07:01 AM
Oh I see. LOL, confused me there!
Fire
03-11-2004, 10:30 AM
I do feel for you-- went through the tip of the iceburg with my friends son so I don't think I got a tenth of the emotions ect.. The doctors several said no help to heavy drugs. I lean toward the organic side of life as much as posssible-- my chiorpractor adjusts babies to 90 some year old people and has plenty of clients so he doesn't need to "take " anyones money. Xrays -consultation- after 3 adjustments girl friends son is able to color a whole page in the lines, wait for his dinner to be placed on the table without a fit, matches clothes age 6, will wait his turn pretty well. She can't be the only one to get her son back. I don't think it was all luck or the power of what ever. The action taken was to align the neck and spine to let the nerves find there path- if nerves are damaged I'm told- if they are going to heal it is appx 1 inch per month. It may be of help to you there are several testimonials adult and child-- My opinion after dealing with physicians in my area is one doctors' diagnosis is not good enough and one type of doctor or practioner is not the only choise. medical, homeopathic, chiorpractic, accupuncture, dietition I'm saying seek out the thing(s) that work for your situation and don't dissmiss on the grounds of one opinion
Mom2DavidnAbi
03-13-2004, 04:03 PM
He could have ADHD and an autism spectrum disorder like my 7 yo. In a lot of ways what you describe sounds extremely familiar. If you need any support trying to wade your way through this, I am here. I know how hard it is. David was 4 when we first realized there was a problem and now it is going pretty well now that we have the correct diagnosis and his IEP at school is in place and working well for him.
If you can see a DAN doctor in your area, a neurologist who specializes in autism and then if necessary you will need a neuropsychologist to do a complete assessment.
If you can see a DAN doctor in your area, a neurologist who specializes in autism and then if necessary you will need a neuropsychologist to do a complete assessment.
PMCW58
03-13-2004, 04:49 PM
don't work, he get's very antsy and throws a fit and don't want you to touch him
Now I am jumping in here and don't know anything about ADHD..but this a characteristic of some forms of PDD...sensory integration disorder or something along these lines...a friend has a child with this and he receives occupational therapy for this. The child also cannot tolerate loud sounds.
Just my .02, for what it's worth.
Paula
Now I am jumping in here and don't know anything about ADHD..but this a characteristic of some forms of PDD...sensory integration disorder or something along these lines...a friend has a child with this and he receives occupational therapy for this. The child also cannot tolerate loud sounds.
Just my .02, for what it's worth.
Paula