Is it Autism??
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| Hi, my name is Anna. I am a single mom to a beautiful 3.5 year old little girl who was officially diagnosed with Sensory Processing Disorder 18 months ago and who is now in the process of a possible Autism Dx. Ali is the light of my life. I work full time...and the little time that Ali sleeps, I do homework for my full time course load of online classes, working toward a BS in Psych. Her symptoms have always been present, but have gotten worse in the last year. Fortunately, Ali is very verbal and has a high IQ. Here are Ali's symptoms, though: · Refuses to leave mother’s side more than most children the same age · She has trouble falling asleep and/or staying asleep · She can be extremely irritable when being dressed & still cannot take off or put on tops on her own & tried to put pants on 1/2 of the time · she loses interest in playing with toys quickly/flints from one toy to the next quickly · She has difficulty shifting focus (when doing certain tasks) · She may not notice pain or is slow to respond when hurt or at other times responds extremely to minor pain · She may resist cuddling at times (often does not want to hug unless she is the initiator) · She sometimes seems to have a "floppy" body, bumps into things and has poor balance · She is often easily startled · She is extremely active and is constantly moving body/limbs or running endlessly · She was delayed in rolling over, sitting and crawling · She is overly sensitive to stimulation, overreacts to or does not like touch, noise, smells, etc. at times · She is unaware at times of being touched/bumped · She has trouble using crayons and fasteners on clothing · She sometimes seems unsure how to move his/her body in space, is clumsy and awkward · Never stops! Constantly revved up. · She may get in everyone else's space and/or touches everything around her · Seems awkward, nervous, etc. with other children · She can be intense, demanding or hard to calm and has difficulty with transitions · She has sudden mood changes and temper tantrums that are unexpected · Sometimes it is hard to understand her speech · Often, she does not seem to understand verbal instructions · Sometimes she has an acute awareness of background noises · She is fascinated with colored lights, fans, water · She has hand flapping/repetitive movements · She walks on tip-toe · She often shows little awareness of pain or temperature · She involves in self-Injury (head banging) or aggression · She may strike out at someone who accidentally brushes by them · She sometimes has a very short attention span and become easily distracted · She has a strong dislike of certain grooming activities, such as washing the face, having the hair brushed or cut, etc · She licks & chews on non food items · She watches the same few movies over and over (some 4 times in a row) and knows and quotes lines (even when asked a question…i.e. What did you have for lunch? She may quote a line from Full House) · She hits others, hits animals · She often does not respond to her name being called · She seems to have little understanding or concern for consequences · She has lost some previously acquired knowledge (i.e. Reciting her ABC’S) · She refuses to eat at times, does not feed her self much of the time and is a very picky eater · She resists change, insists on sameness and when something is different (i.e. The bank is out of lollipops, her bed time routine is off slightly, etc.) she has a horrible tantrum · She talks in a “fake” voice at times (high pitched) · She has about 8 imaginary friends, two of which she has had for almost 2 years These are as many of her symptoms I can think of, there may be more. The worst symptom is her tantrums. Everything else I have adjusted to and can redirect, deal with in some way, or can accept….but the tantrums and aggression are horrible…especially out in public. We can have good days, but there are some really horrific days and I never know what to expect. I am at work right now so I have to cut my introduction short…but I am in need of friends, advice, and anything anyone can offer. I feel so alone in dealing with Ali’s issues. She sounds like Payne with a few exceptions. He is dx : PDD-NOS, bipolar, epileptic, ADHD, intermittent explosive disorder, migraines. Add note - if this is the case it is of utmost importance to get a doctor that has knowledge of and has assisted other ASD kids. Ours came highly recommended and is darn near impossible to get into unless you are already a patient - he isn't accepting more. Also, I started Payne with help from FDLRS in public pre-k at 3- we also got his IEP done so that he could have specialists (paid through the school) to help him. His Rx bill alone was going into the $300's/month. We are finally in a VERY good situation. Just advocate what you know to be right...or wrong. Hi Anna, Yes, it could be autism - she has some behaviors that are consistent with that diagnosis. However, the 'very verbal' and 'high IQ' bit is not something you'd expect to see with an autistic child (not all autistic kids have low IQs, but they usually don't perform that well on standard IQ tests, either!) - except, perhaps, a child with Asperger's syndrome, though it doesn't rule out an ASD by any means. If she's 3.5 and exhibiting these symptoms, I would think she'd be a candidate for interventions from the local school system. is your evaluation for purposes of educational placement? Have you been in touch with the school system yet? She could be getting therapies for some of these issues through the school system if she qualifies for services. BTW - a lot of these symtoms could mean ADHD, too - there's some overlap. I would think more along the lines of ADHD from what you've said, but an evaluation will determine what, if any, dx is warranted. Also, she might not have any "disorder" - but just might be a bright, quirky kid. Some 'gifted' kids have sensory and social issues, too - kind of goes with the territory.
 Up until a few months ago I had been letting him talk the way he wants, but I have since changed that ... I make him talk in bigger sentences and tell me without prompting what he wants and now that his meds and therapies are going good he doesn't have COMPLETE meltdown, of course we've learned when we are pushing him too hard. We have meetings with the school and daycare so that everyone is on the EXACT same page too...that really helped us. There for a while he was very frustrated and would turn violent in hurry  We have a behavior plan at school and daycare and everyone knows what to do - I inform EVERYONE coming into contact with him for the 1st time warning signs and such....Does anyone's kids have a gender preference?? Curious. Payne has always related and done better with male role models...even going so far when me and dh are saying the same thing it takes dh to say it before Payne will do it - when we are having an "off" day. I don't know if it's the way women say something or pitch? It does matter...and it's not like it was programmed or that it's just with me- he's done it since he was an infant to all women .
Thank you, Fred! She has a definitive Dx of SPD and has all the symptoms but her agression, headbanging (which she has been doing since 6 months old), tantrums, routine rigidity and such bring to question an ASD. She also does not understand consequences and has sleep issues. She still does not feed herself, she does not answer to her name being called many times. She def. has attention issues and repeats. I had her evaluated because of the behaviors at home but with her starting school soon I was fearful how well it would go (she is going to go to private school). Paynes mom and Anna I have a nephew that was diognosed with defiant conduct disorder and adhd, that sounds a lot like what you are discribing. My nephew was also on clonidine. He is 20 now and doing ok, though his mom, girlfriend and I all agree he still needs meds! Good luck! Payne is doing better now that we have the support system and what I believe to be the correct medications. We have him in a relaxed environment, but he is still expected to do the work , but he has his outs...if he needs a break - he takes one. He also doesn't over do those - I'm proud to say. We asked the psych about that once, but he didn't think that the dx fit Payne. Intermittent explosive disorder is what he is dx as - in addition to the rest.Payne is currently taking: Risperdal - PDD; Lamictal - anticonvulsant and mood stab; Clonidine - helps with the aggression and ADHD; Topamax - migraine prevention; Prozac - Anxiety; Phenergan for the occassional breakthrough headache - they cause Payne to become so disoriented that he can't stand up and throws up constantly - I never knew migraines did that to kids. I can't say small kids because he's over 4 feet tall and just passed 65lbs. I agree with some of the others, it sounds like ADHD but that said she could also benifit from some social skill therapy.
Welcome and good luck John Thanks, Payne's mom! Can I ask, when you started meds, were you scared? My dad is bipolar and has ADD and learning disorders and takes meds and I have seen some negative reactions to the wrong meds. I would be scared to start Ali on meds. Right now, I can handle her behaviors for the most part...I think school will give me an idea as to whether it will get harder. Ali has always preferred women. She now will talk to men but when she was an infant until about 2 years old she screamed like crazy for all males. My mom and I are both bipolar...genetic in our family. I WAS TERRIFIED!!! Now, I don't know why it took me so long. He is doing great. I found a dr that I just think the world of, was highly recommended and saw him myself too. When they get into school it (at least for me) was a WHOLE DIFFERENT PLAYGROUND pardon the pun. If I were you , and I 'm not, been through enough  I would get her evaluated by a child psychiatrist that you trust and who is recommended. Just remember that we've tried and failed on therapies, meds too...trial and error. Nobody reacts the same way to meds. My mom took Prozac, lithium, etc...I take nothing. I have my "outs" is what I call them...when I am getting frustrated or just blah...I talk to my hubby or if I need to I'll call up dr L and say I need to see you and he fits me in. 
Thanks, Payne's Mom! Usually, when Ali has her tantrums, there is a cause...just not usually obvious until looking back. Sometimes they happen because she is frustrated with not being able to do something herself, sometimes, she is tired but will not let herself sleep, sometimes it is due to a sensory issue and many times it is due to a change in routine or what shat she expects to be a consequence of something. She does the hand flapping and spins and says things without understanding that it is socially inappropriate. She has so many symptoms it is hard to include them all. Anyway, I know I have to get her help because the only way she can make it through anything she does daily is with accomodations and she won't get those at school without the evaluation. Thank you!!Sometimes it just helps to have someone tell you it's ok to get help! I couldn't do it solo with Payne - my dh really is my support...I would be on meds if it weren't for him. Payne's name is from Payne Stewart - the golfer. Glad you like it...we sure went around and around about a boy's name until we came up with it. Payne's initials though ... PSS could be better
Anna, Just keep in mind, she's only 3 1/2. She'll probably get less tantrum-y as she gets older. One of my daughters was extremely sensitive to routine and would tantrum like crazy at that age. A year later, her tantrums are way down due to maturity and due to some accomdations at pre-school (picture schedules, that sort of thing). I would hesitate to medicate a very young child, especially one where behavioral analysis could reveal the triggers, and thus techniques could be employed to reduce the occurence of these tantrums. These drugs are very powerful, and I wouldn't use them but as a last resort. It sounds like you can handle the behaviors just fine, and the school will "know what to do", especially if she has an IEP in place, which is sounds like you are undertaking, currently, right? I do agree with Fred. Seek options before going the med route...we did behavior modification techniques when Payne was 2-3 years old and finally a behaviorist and psychiatrist agreed we should start with some very mild, small dosages...we didn't run straight into the antipsychotics by any means. But... go with what you feel is right. You are her parent and know her needs better than anyone. You didn't mention if you are doing occupational therapy. Theycan have strategies to keep some of the sensory issues under control. OT has helped my son with the following: - floppy body and balance - oral aversion ( we have done a lot of whistles, blowing bubbles, electric toothbrush etc) - sensory regulation : he gets very hyper with some motions such as swings, which teachers wouldn't know in school right? So strategies such as deep pressure and bear hugs and squeezes can help calm them down. Whether your daughter is on the spectrum or not, it seems clear that her sensory issues are more important than many other children on the spectrum for whom speech/communication is the bigger issue. Before you consider medication, you may want to try diet changes too, I have read about many stories where a GFCF diet made an enormous difference to kids with SPD, although I haven't done it so far. Our neurologist recommended Clonidine for my son to treat his repetitive arm movement when he excited (variation of flapping) but we are going to hold off as long as we can. He just turned 4 in Dec. I can suggest "The Out of Sync child" as a book to read if you haven't already read it. All the best to you and Ali, Nupur To get a better handle on the autism question and to have plenty to think about before you go to a physician for an official diagnosis, it might be good to complete the PDD assessment at www.childbrain.com Of course, the accuracy of the score depends on the accuracy of the information you put in. In any event, this is not a diagnostic tool -- only a doctor can give a true dx -- but it is a pretty extensive questionnaire that can help a doctor get a good picture of your child and help you get a handle on whether or not you're barking up the correct disability. Good luck.Thanks, I did the PDD Questionaire as accurately as I could for Ali. The score came out at 148- Moderate PDD. |
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