Hello! I am posting this thread about my soon to be 11yrs old son. He has Sesory Integration Dysfunction (SID) but is increasingly showing signs of perhaps something more. If any of what I will try to describe is anything someone has experienced with a child and what may help, please let me know. Thanks.

I will call my son Matt for this post.

Matt is a seemingly happy child that goofs around a lot and is a bit immature.
He is somewhat of a homebody- doesn't ususally like to go out except to McD or Pizza Hut. He sometimes has passed up bowling and movies.
When he passes you, Matt always says"Do I know you?" (even to though he does know)
Matt is an Honor student when he apllies himself.
The last time he had homework, he cried because he didn't want to put in the effort to figure it out, even with parental guidance & support. (the work wasn't hard.)
He does at times take a sleep aid because he has problems getting to sleep, though he only needs 8 hours. When he was a baby, he never took naps!
If he needs to be disciplined (a sibling gets hurt badly because he doesn't know when or how to stop) and is yelled at, Matt will crouch in an infantile position, cover his head and cry, as if he's the victim, even though a finger has even touched him.
He does not have attention problems.
He is a good kid that for the most part, uses his manners.
I just wonder if he's truely happy, or if it's a facade.
Matt has been to a physcologist, but doesn't like to talk, so nothing happens.
He is shy around adults, especially when talking about himself or asked questions of.
Matt has at times, a low self asteem, but acts as though he's on top.
Our family genes are not great, so I feel like I need to be aware of any abnormalties.
I always thought of all this as just part of the SID.
I just want Matt to be happy, but get a sense he's not. I do have ideas, but would like outside input to validate them.

Thanks for reading!
Mom of 4

Have him evaluated by a sleep specialist.. You may be looking and childhood sleep apnea. My son and I had this and you son sounds like I was. My son was diagnosed at the age of 4 is being treatment and his turn around has been amazing.

The insomnia and need for sleep aides, behavior and SID are all symptoms pf sleep deprivation due to OSA. If it is OSA then applying sleep aides will make things worse. Check out a few posts on the sleep disorders board. They may actually be relevent to you and your son's health.

Sincerely,
MG

You might want to research "Autistic Spectrum Disorders" possible "Asperger's Syndrome" or "PDD-NOS" (Pervacive Develpomental Disorder-Non Otherwise Specified) also When people first hear autism they immediately assume the child who is nonverbal, flaps their hands and is in another world. Autism has a WIDE range; a spectrum, where as kids can be like that or can be so mild and high functioning that it can go undiagnosed. I am a mom of a child who is PDD-NOS (7 years old)and they sound similar in a lot of ways. My son was actually diagnosed SID at first when he was 2.
Look into it....it may be what he has going on......maybe not?
Any questions feel free to ask:D

Thank you very much for your input. I definitely will look into it!

Blessings,
Mom of 4

My first reply was to the first post. The second response was probably being written at the same time!

The family genes that I mentioned, well, my oldest is autistic (PDD) and he was more obvious diagnosis.
Matt, however, is always perceived as being immature & goofy and sesitive.

Depression has also run in my family, so I thought his serotonin levels are unbalanced. They probably are. My biggest though is that he may be clinically depressed. That's tough thogh, because he always smiles!

I think I need to look into the first reply with sleep disorders, and perhaps another visit to a neuro first. Matt did first go in 2003 and the doc did write in his report about autisistic tendencies. I need to follow up with that too.

Thank you Again!

Mom of 4

I agree with the other poster about possible Asperger's. That sounds a lot like what my son was like a couple years ago. Especially the part about not talking with other adults and being immature.

School was very difficult for my son and we started homeschooling which has helped him ALOT. It's not for everyone of course but it sure works for us.

Thanks Again Everyone for your feedback! It is highly appreciated.

My oldest son, who is autistic, has a appt this month with a new neuro because his former doc moved. So I will make sure Matt is evaluated this month as well & see what the dr has to say also about sleep testing.

This has just been a very emotional time. Especially since I received old medical records. 10 years worth! So it hits you like a tone of bricks, when life takes you back to see where you were, where you now are, then to find another mountain to climb with your other child. I love them all dearly, and I know the Lord doesn't give you more than you can handle. So I know He must think I'm a tough cookie. That makes me smile!:)

Blessings!
Mom of 4