Ask:
I think something's up with David. He's 7 and in first grade. K went ok, but first grade has been a nightmare. He says he hates school and it's stupid. He's very bright and has zero trouble with homework- he does well with math, a little bit of an advanced reader and both his K and current teacher comment on how good is speech is.
BUT, his handwriting has never been the best and is going down hill. He easily forgets things and is distracted by others. He doesn't distract THEM but rather just sits and observes when he's supposed to be doing work.
He has always been on the go, always climbing, constantly bumps into things, wants to jump on people and takes forever to wind down. He also falls down, intentionally and it just doesn't make sense. He will do this when peopleare talking to him. It's like he's trying to grab peoples attention despite showering him with attention. He will also purposely plow into the walls here at home and say "ow" like he's trying to be silly.
He's a LOUD talker, gets excited easily and is up in your face.
He's also started this stuttering thing. Or repeating. He will say "I want a peanut butter sandwich. Sandwich. Peanut butter saaaaaaaannnnnndwich"
He gets upset at himself easily. Like if he messes up writing his name, instead of erasing it, he slams his hands on the table and says "This is just stupid. I am not doing this anymore".
At the last conference, I felt the teacher was hinting at ADD or ADHD but when I look at the symptoms checklist and when other parents talk about their ADD child, it just doesn't seem the same to me. I think it's something else and am starting to think it's a sensory disorder. He has no issues with food, but with clothing he likes things loose or wants to be naked. He certainly fits all the criteria for the checklists I've found.
Oh and I have asked for ideas on helping him from the school. Even the principal. But they say they don't have ideas and to just keep prodding him.
Does anyone else have a child like this? I think I'm going to get him evaluated.
Answer:
My first thought reading your description was sensory processing issues. I would recommend The Out of Sync Child as a great book to read to learn more and see if this describes him. My son has sensory issues and is currently getting OT to help with that. I would check your local library for the book. It is the best one on this subject that I have found.
amy
Answer:
This is weird. I posted a response and it's not here. I'll have to be briefer.
I agree that it sounds like Sensory processing issues/sensory disorder, but here's a question: Is your son very intelligent, remembering trivia and facts about his favorite, even obsessive, topics where he can have tunnel vision and talks on and on? My son has Aspergers, and has all of what you have listed (and more). He is clumsy at times and has tracking issues and some motor issues. He is six.
Definitely yes, get him evaluated through a developmental pediatrician - ask your pediatrician for a name. Our son went to age six before his ped. agreed w/me that there was something different about him - he saw him as just energetic, highly intelligent and a lot like his successful grown son was, in spite of my repeat askings. By the time he saw things, ds had already been diagnosed. A real diagnosis can open doors and help you get aids in the classroom, along w/accommodations. My son is very sensitive, easily hurt feelings. If you have time, use the Search feature above and type in Aspergers and Sensory, and you can read posts from us who have dealt w/ this. Also, google Aspergers to get some good info. Our posts will recommend books that are good. Feel free to pm me if you want to, and let us know how things go. Feel free, also to share other questions you may have. Many of us are on this ride. Climb aboard!
Answer:
Well I've never had a child with sensory processing disorder, so I can't really address that (although I always suspected my son had some of it...couldn't stand clothes until he was probably 12). But I do have an ADD dd, who does seem similar on some thing. She was VERY distractable, and despite testing high IQ and achievement test wise, she had difficulty in school because she would lose homework, do the wrong homework, forget to do homework, etc. She also had bad handwriting. Actually poor handwriting is one of the symptoms, and one of the ways they can tell if the medication is working, because you'll notice a marked improvement. Of course bad handwriting alone, doesn't indicate ADD...they could have small motor skills problems, or just don't care that much about it. My ds is also a horrible writer, but I just don't really care. The jumping on things, being overly excitable, loud etc all also sound like the COULD be ADD, but again, could be other things. If you're in doubt, I'd advise you to have the school do any testing they'll do (just because it saves you having to pay it yourself) but don't let them make recommendations. Take their test results to a pediatrician or doctor who specializes in children's problems and have them look at them and make a diagnosis and recommendation. My pediatrician was VERY conservative and didn't like to diagnosis ADD, so would insist of tons of tests that HE had to see. So I felt good that I wasn't making a decision just based on the schools whims or people just wanting to pigeon hole my child. I've been very happy with the results.
Answer:
THanks for the replies. Yes he seems to remember a lot- he was very into thomas and could tell you every train and their purpose, etc but now he's phasing out of Thomas. Although I am not sure if I will say it's abnormaly obsessive.
I have to wonder if changing schools might be best for him. But I hate to take him away from his friends. And I don't even know which schools to start looking at because we have a huge school district.
But one thing at a time. I need to get an evaluation in order first.
Answer:
I wouldn't recommend changing his school yet. At this point, he may look at it as punishment AND it also may aggravate the "bad" even worse. Get the evalutation from the school, but know that it usually takes them months to get testing done, and by then, he could have lost a great deal of his first grade year. Try calling your insurance or even dr. office to see what your insurance will cover. I know that with my oldest, the school tested her. They asked me to at the end of the first nine week grading period in third grade...and we got the results the last nine week grading period. Then, I had to bring it all to her dr., and it took us several months to get her meds right. My youngest son is also ADD, and we went straight to the dr. this time. She referred us to a psychologist (and like aliadam, my dr. was very conservative on ADD diagnosis...and even though I had thought for about two years that something was up with him, having had an ADD child already at home, she made me wait until we had ruled out other ideas such as just plain ole' immaturity!). We had Riley diagnosed and on meds within two weeks...and within six weeks, we had it all under control without the wait and hassle of the school. He is a different child than before. My oldest is just ADD...no hyper to it...but Riley was ADHD...WAY hyper no matter what we did. It is wonderful to see him able to stay focused and on task now. He is happy, and before, I just don't think his brain had time to slow down to know what happy was!! LOL
BTW....it has been proven that most ADD children do have higher IQ's. They HAVE to in order to handle the ADHD and still function! I thought that was interesting...and it has held true for both of my children with ADHD. Both are above average in everything at school.
Good luck.
Answer:
Keep in mind that the school can test for some things, but to get the most of what you need, the diagnosis can only come from a doctor. And regular Dr.s are not trained in Special Needs to do a full dx., thus the Developmental Pediatrician's role.