2cutekids
01-25-2005, 06:19 PM
I think my son may have this. I have said this since he has gone GF/CF, but the change in his attention span happened with the Casin. It was like it was cut in half. Now when you try to talk or explain something it isn't like you can't get threw, it is like you can't get him to LISTEN enough to get threw. His mind is always flopping around to something else. He is NOT hyperactive, it is just his attention.
SOOO, like I said most of his signs of Autism are GONE and all of the behavors, but this is the big one. This is the one I think is holding him back. Should I begin to think about getting and assesment for this? Possable some Rx for it. I'm not big on the drugs, but I worry about him in school and focusing... (he is almost 5)
Thanks
SOOO, like I said most of his signs of Autism are GONE and all of the behavors, but this is the big one. This is the one I think is holding him back. Should I begin to think about getting and assesment for this? Possable some Rx for it. I'm not big on the drugs, but I worry about him in school and focusing... (he is almost 5)
Thanks
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Asperger family
01-25-2005, 07:04 PM
When was the last time he was diagnosed and evaluated? My son was diagnosed as severe autistic at 3, then diagnosed again at age 5 as Aspergers.(after 2 years of education, speech and socialization)
Now its up in the air(he is 7) psychiatrist says he is ADHD, I can see it but we used the autism lable to get more speech and socialization therapy. I always like to break things down, not assume every characteristic is autism. I believe you are on to something...but do whatever you have to do, if he cant do well in school because of his attention span, then try the meds(i would recommend low dosages just to take the edge off because he needs to do most of the work on his own to learn)this may get better with age. When my son was 5, he had an attention span only for things he liked, everything else didnt matter, he could tune me out as if loooking right through me. NOw he doesnt do that as much anymore, as he has gotten into primary school his attention span has gotten better through structure, education,speech and socialization.His speech therapist thought of a plan, to get older kids involved( a couple of grades ahead)because younger kids are
still all about themselves...its a me me thing with small kids. Two at a
time, to volunteer 3 days a week to play with him on recess and teach him games to play on the playground with the rest of the kids. I think this is good for attention spans, because alot of autistic kids are usually playing by themselves and not with peers, if they were to have a peer to play with who encouraged them along(and this is hardlyfound with younger kids who are learning to socialize themself, unless they are around a sibling, but still as soon as other kids are around, that sibling will want to play with them and leave the autistic sibling on their own), they would pay more attention to whats going on if peers take a personal interest in them.M younger son has also helped tremendously through playing interation.Think about what childhood is all about..its about learning to play andsocializing. Socializing usually comes first,but through interaction comes other curiosity and learning processes. Socialization is the most important thing a person can learn in life.
Not jsut because of certain benefits, but because there are building blocks
for more learning.If they are always on their own, they have no need to pay attention to others, because they dont know any better and they dont exactly connect to adults like they do other children with imagination and energy to play.Dont get me wrong, my son likes me to play, but he really needs thettention of other kids, peers who have the same energy and imagination.Thats our thought...go with the meds if you gotta, but maybe try to see if you can get a plan like that in action, it helps in more ways than one. Good luck with your little one
Now its up in the air(he is 7) psychiatrist says he is ADHD, I can see it but we used the autism lable to get more speech and socialization therapy. I always like to break things down, not assume every characteristic is autism. I believe you are on to something...but do whatever you have to do, if he cant do well in school because of his attention span, then try the meds(i would recommend low dosages just to take the edge off because he needs to do most of the work on his own to learn)this may get better with age. When my son was 5, he had an attention span only for things he liked, everything else didnt matter, he could tune me out as if loooking right through me. NOw he doesnt do that as much anymore, as he has gotten into primary school his attention span has gotten better through structure, education,speech and socialization.His speech therapist thought of a plan, to get older kids involved( a couple of grades ahead)because younger kids are
still all about themselves...its a me me thing with small kids. Two at a
time, to volunteer 3 days a week to play with him on recess and teach him games to play on the playground with the rest of the kids. I think this is good for attention spans, because alot of autistic kids are usually playing by themselves and not with peers, if they were to have a peer to play with who encouraged them along(and this is hardlyfound with younger kids who are learning to socialize themself, unless they are around a sibling, but still as soon as other kids are around, that sibling will want to play with them and leave the autistic sibling on their own), they would pay more attention to whats going on if peers take a personal interest in them.M younger son has also helped tremendously through playing interation.Think about what childhood is all about..its about learning to play andsocializing. Socializing usually comes first,but through interaction comes other curiosity and learning processes. Socialization is the most important thing a person can learn in life.
Not jsut because of certain benefits, but because there are building blocks
for more learning.If they are always on their own, they have no need to pay attention to others, because they dont know any better and they dont exactly connect to adults like they do other children with imagination and energy to play.Dont get me wrong, my son likes me to play, but he really needs thettention of other kids, peers who have the same energy and imagination.Thats our thought...go with the meds if you gotta, but maybe try to see if you can get a plan like that in action, it helps in more ways than one. Good luck with your little one
Asperger family
01-25-2005, 07:10 PM
I believe many of these setbacks directly effect each other...speech, attention span and socialization. All need to be learned step by step in order to address the other issue effectively. Anyways, good luck.
2cutekids
01-25-2005, 07:39 PM
He was evaled and dx in the end of July. He had a reeval in Dec, but the guy asked him like 4 ?'s and that was it. It was just for services... not an intensive thing to see what was the progression.
To me and mostly everyone else around me, there is nothign "wrong" with my son. He is a "typical" 5 yo. He DOES NOT LOOK OR ACT AUTISTIC!! You don't understand. The only think that is off is his pragmatic speech and attention. He is making a friend at perschool and plays and talks to the other kid. My son is a social butterfly, just never settles down with any one child for long except for Christipher... he is different and he seems to really love Shane. Shane even asked him yesterday.. "Christpher, do you love me?" and he said "yes" sniff sniff too cute.
Anyway... that is the deal. I don't really want to medicate, I just want what is best for him. I don't think that there is anything else I could change in his diet
To me and mostly everyone else around me, there is nothign "wrong" with my son. He is a "typical" 5 yo. He DOES NOT LOOK OR ACT AUTISTIC!! You don't understand. The only think that is off is his pragmatic speech and attention. He is making a friend at perschool and plays and talks to the other kid. My son is a social butterfly, just never settles down with any one child for long except for Christipher... he is different and he seems to really love Shane. Shane even asked him yesterday.. "Christpher, do you love me?" and he said "yes" sniff sniff too cute.
Anyway... that is the deal. I don't really want to medicate, I just want what is best for him. I don't think that there is anything else I could change in his diet
Asperger family
01-25-2005, 08:46 PM
Sounds like he is doing goodl cute kids...give him time, he is still so young, alot of things will change when he starts primary school, usually not right away, but you will see and learn more about him when you start seeing more of his potential as he grows and matures more.Alot of teachers and doctors say kids will outgrow these sort of things(not so sure about outgrowing, but it seems to get better with age and learning) I didnt mean to assume those Shane had autistic characteristics(just general) from what you have explained it sounds like ADD or add related ...and I have heard of kids who will do that or that it wasnt autism in the first place and I have also heard of kids who have add and when they are small will display autistic tendencies and then they will diminish.Thats what I have explained in other posts,(my doctor says dont rely on a dx so young but you kind of have to , to get services) Let us know how he is doing and what services he will be getting. Im really interested on what you learn and how Shane is doing from time to time and his progress...so keep me posted! Good luck and god bless.
2cutekids
01-25-2005, 10:00 PM
Well, he was dx HFA/AS but now all of the Autistic behavors are gone (or very sudle that no one can see them) but the attention thing is here. I just wonder if maybe he was dx wrong or perhaps with the diet, the Autism is gone and it is just ADD? I know it is wishfull thinking on every parents part, but something is happening. My son will always be quorky, but I don't think it will hold him back much.
I wasn't phrasing it the way it came out. My son is DX with Autism, but I'm wondering if
A. he was missed dx. if it is something "acting" as Autism
B if he is developing ADD on top or seperatly
C. Could the diet gotten rid of the symptoms of autism and now only left with ADD symptoms
I know that if he went back on those foods, he would begin to have problems again, but I just don't know what to do about services, therapy, school ect. I"m at a loss for what the next step is, if there IS one.
It is hard to explain, I read about children on her and a few other message boards and my son does NOT act like any of them anymore. I kind of feel alone in this battle, because I'm not sure what I'm fighting anymore... ya know
I wasn't phrasing it the way it came out. My son is DX with Autism, but I'm wondering if
A. he was missed dx. if it is something "acting" as Autism
B if he is developing ADD on top or seperatly
C. Could the diet gotten rid of the symptoms of autism and now only left with ADD symptoms
I know that if he went back on those foods, he would begin to have problems again, but I just don't know what to do about services, therapy, school ect. I"m at a loss for what the next step is, if there IS one.
It is hard to explain, I read about children on her and a few other message boards and my son does NOT act like any of them anymore. I kind of feel alone in this battle, because I'm not sure what I'm fighting anymore... ya know
Asperger family
01-26-2005, 09:34 AM
Hey girl....I dont think its wishful thinking. You know your son, you see his potential. and potential for the future. Nobodys child on here is the same. I had alot of the same characteristics as a child and dont have many of them anymore.Im still alittle socially awekward and I even told my sons friends parent that the other day and she told me she didnt think so at all, but I know how I feel. I guess what Im trying to say, is there is a good chance alot of these things wont be as noticeable or even exist with age. Exspecially with attention span...I was the daydreamer, still am. I didnt do well the first years of school, kind of lost and then with age I seemed to be alert of my surroundings more. I knew my son wasnt "classic" autism or what some of the parents explained on here too, he could only speak 3-4 worded sentences at 5, and now he speaks full sentences and expresses himself, which has helped him make friends and socialize, understand his schoolwork better.He is going to be in regular education next year, 2nd grade and this is a child who Tri county placed in a severly disabled classroom 3 years ago. I didnt know any better then, but I knew his potential had been looked over and pulled him out 4 months later after I educated myself alittle better. Dont compare your child wiht anyone elses, its not fair. If my son has some of the problems other parents do, we can share methods and ideas, to help each other out, doesnt mean our child is the same .As far as services go, after his evaluation results come in and you have the IEP(?), you can go over the test results, see where his weaknesses and strengths are...and decide what he needs then.Good luck and keep optimistic, your son sounds like he has a bright future ahead of him and your a good mom, but remember mother nature has to do her part too. Take care
Asperger family
01-26-2005, 09:43 AM
You know what else is so funny, is that doctors are all different. One said there was nothing wrong with my child(which family has always thought he would be okay)one says he has ADHD and the pediatric neurologists said there was soemthing "amiss" about him, but he had some autistic tendencies. She didnt dx him as autistic, the school determined with their child psychologists that we use that label to get services so we agreed, it sounded better than emotionally disturbed which was the other alternative at the time because of his aggrssion. he doesnt even have the aggression like he did before..no hitting at all. Things change and I know some parents child will not outgrow this and some parents children will, they all are so different, some will grow up to be independent successful adults adn other will fumble their way through...but just shoot for the stars, because thats the best way for success.Whose to say what "normal" is anyways? What is normal?
Lisa in Indiana
01-28-2005, 10:20 AM
2cutekids...
Just a thought here...could there STILL be something in his diet causing the attention deficit? Or maybe a vitamin deficiency..or perhaps maybe the elimination of high powered supplements if he's still on them?
I have read that at some point...once the gut begins to heal from diet and/or enzymes...that you may have to reduce other supplements that once worked in the beginning. Have you thought about that possibility? The ones that have been known to cause trouble are high B-vitamins and the fish oils.
Do you mind if I ask what all he is taking right now. I have followed you through for quite some time...but I can't remember what he is using.
Just a thought...and thanks :)
Just a thought here...could there STILL be something in his diet causing the attention deficit? Or maybe a vitamin deficiency..or perhaps maybe the elimination of high powered supplements if he's still on them?
I have read that at some point...once the gut begins to heal from diet and/or enzymes...that you may have to reduce other supplements that once worked in the beginning. Have you thought about that possibility? The ones that have been known to cause trouble are high B-vitamins and the fish oils.
Do you mind if I ask what all he is taking right now. I have followed you through for quite some time...but I can't remember what he is using.
Just a thought...and thanks :)
Asperger family
01-28-2005, 10:39 AM
I have read the same thing Lisa, good point.
2cutekids
01-28-2005, 03:14 PM
That is a good point, but he only gets a muti vit, 1 x's day, then about 100 mg of B-6. Cal and Mag, about 100 mg each. I don't give him DMG anymore, he doesn't seem to get anything out of it. I don't have him on fish/cod liver oil or omega acids.
That is all he is on now other than Oral Nystatan.
That is all he is on now other than Oral Nystatan.
Lisa in Indiana
01-28-2005, 10:29 PM
That is a good point, but he only gets a muti vit, 1 x's day, then about 100 mg of B-6. Cal and Mag, about 100 mg each. I don't give him DMG anymore, he doesn't seem to get anything out of it. I don't have him on fish/cod liver oil or omega acids.
That is all he is on now other than Oral Nystatan.
you may want to check out the magnesium...too much of that could be the problem. It's is supposed to promote sleep...maybe he is zoned out. Have you had his levels checked lately to see if it's back to normal?? also b-6 causes hyperactivity...but I think you said he wasn't hyper didn't you? hope that helps ;)
That is all he is on now other than Oral Nystatan.
you may want to check out the magnesium...too much of that could be the problem. It's is supposed to promote sleep...maybe he is zoned out. Have you had his levels checked lately to see if it's back to normal?? also b-6 causes hyperactivity...but I think you said he wasn't hyper didn't you? hope that helps ;)
KathleenW
01-29-2005, 04:11 PM
Vitamin B6 does not cause hyperactivity. A lot of parents who have children with ADD and do not want to medicate use B6. It is a natural way to help hyperactivity. It also promotes focus and memory. There have been recent studies that it also helps patients with Alzheimer's Disease.
They have done many studies over the years and most researcher's believe that B6 and magnesium help a lot of people with autism.
They have done many studies over the years and most researcher's believe that B6 and magnesium help a lot of people with autism.
2cutekids
01-29-2005, 04:23 PM
humm, maybe up the B-6 (I usually give him more, but got tablets insetead of caplets :( and give him the Mag at night
KathleenW
01-30-2005, 10:20 AM
I use 100 mg of B6 every day (my four year old weighs 40 pounds) I also give magnesium AT THE SAME TIME as B6. The reason for this is because it helps with the absorption of the B6. A lot of studies say that you are supposed to give high doses of B6. When my son was 2, I tried high doses and my son had bad reactions. I have never used higher than 100 mg a day,(except for the week I tried high doses), but I guess every child is different