Add? - Autism Spectrum Message Board

2cutekids · 01-25-2005, 03:19 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

Asperger family · 01-25-2005, 04:04 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

Asperger family · 01-25-2005, 04:10 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, 04:39 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

Asperger family · 01-25-2005, 05:46 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.