thanks for all the replies. My son has been dx with ADHD also. But really---he's never been too hyper---except when younger or when in hypomania from meds.
Our psych explained the ADD part to me as----he doesn't pay attention not because he is wanting to do something else (he has never flew from activity to activity)--he is just so obsessed with other things---those other things are on his mind.
I guess he got the AD(H)D dx because of the impulsiveness. Jumping out of cars, hitting, kicking---because he wasn't slowing down enough to "think".
My son (almost 6), does "stim" a lot, although it is not as bad as when he was 3 and 4 years old. He does, however, hold his left hand in a strange position when walking.
Rohan does have a peculiar mannerism - I cant describe it but I may take a you tube video
My DD does a "Stevie Wonder" side-to-side head rocking motion. She's done this since she could lift her head as an infant (she's 3 now) - we call her our "little Stevie Wonder" - she rocks when she listens to music, sometimes when she's walking she'll rock, or when she's upset she'll rock. If she wakes up in the middle of the night - rock, rock, rock. That's her biggest thing. She used to hand flap a bit - mainly when she was really excited about something, but not so much anymore. And she would put EVERYTHING in her mouth and would lick her friends. I had a therapist ask me if I knew that she licked her friends - nope, never saw it happen. Apparently, she does it when the teacher's back is turned!
She also has very low muscle tone, classic ADHD symptoms, and speech apraxia - just by looking at her sitting quietly (yeah, right!) - you might not notice, but once she starts talking or you engage her, then you'd realize something was different. And her eyes focus independently of each other - that too.
Beth
I think the one thing that truly would make Mason "stick out" in a crowd would be his unstoppable quoting...he walks around all day and night quoting movies, commercials...anything he sees on TV...he has recently moved from quoting the Monster House movie to quoting the names of the news broadcasters from the morning news I watch.
He has some quirky mannerisms but they aren't as consistent as the quoting. He likes to spin and flap once in awhile, but that has definitely decreased over the last few months...He does rock in place whenever he is sitting too...I do not know if that is more from ASD or ADD?!?
Have peculiar mannerisms?
We went to our science center and road the Monorail. There was a child on there that I would have guessed he was ASD. Just by the mannerisms. He held his hands/arms different. Like--stiff hands.
I noticed my son NEVER does. I kid was just bouncing around and more hyper. No weird stuff.
I know no one would have picked up on this other kid, but I was just drawn to him somehow.
Makes me wonder if my son is just ADHD and some delays and not HFA
some do, some don't. my children have subtle mannerisms that you'd be able to notice if you were looking for ASD traits, but nothing flamingly obvious. If you saw them run and didn't know about ASDs, you might think "spaz", but probably not "autism". Like your child, my daughter's most noticable trait is high activity level. Another noticable trait for them is their lack of attention to other people.My son soesn't have any classically autistic mannerisms like hand flapping,
Okay Adam was dx's with ADD no hpyeractivity. He has all of the symptoms under number 1. My Nathn was dx'd with ADHD, and he has all of the symptoms. listed. Every last one.
I guess there is no mistaking it.
With my oldest son (almost 10), the most obvious thing is poor eye contact. He literally looks past the person he is talking to. It takes a great deal of effort for him to maintain appropriate eye contact. He also words things in ways that no other NT kid his age would. It can be quite poetic. His writing is fantastic!
With my youngest son (just turned 6), he can get bouncy when excited. He might also clap his hands. Otherwise, there is nothing about his demeanor that says "autistic." It's when you try to engage him that the picture becomes clear.
My son talks to himself most of the time ,he also makes faces (Usually MAD),when in a group,he slaps his feet on the floor and or walks on his toes ,But none of these scream PDD unless you Know,you may just think, "Weird"
God bless,Linda
Symptoms of ADHD
Inattention
Often does not give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, work, or other activities.
Often has trouble keeping attention on tasks or play activities.
Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly.
Often does not follow instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace (not due to oppositional behavior or failure to understand instructions).
Often has trouble organizing activities.
Often avoids, dislikes, or doesn't want to do things that take a lot of mental effort for a long period of time (such as schoolwork or homework).
Often loses things needed for tasks and activities (e.g. toys, school assignments, pencils, books, or tools).
Is often easily distracted.
Is often forgetful in daily activities.
Six or more of the following symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity have been present for at least 6 months to an extent that is disruptive and inappropriate for developmental level:
Hyperactivity
Often fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat.
Often gets up from seat when remaining in seat is expected.
Often runs about or climbs when and where it is not appropriate (adolescents or adults may feel very restless).
Often has trouble playing or enjoying leisure activities quietly.
Is often "on the go" or often acts as if "driven by a motor".
Often talks excessively.
Impulsivity
Often blurts out answers before questions have been finished.
Often has trouble waiting one's turn.
Often interrupts or intrudes on others (e.g., butts into conversations or games).
What you see in bold are the symptoms i see in my son. His develop. ped see's himevery 3-6 months and i did mention this to him and my son doesnt have adhd. His symptoms comes more from him having PDD NOS. My son is HF as well. I swear he has adhd cause he cant stay still in a chair when we go to doctor, to eat his is getting down from the chair, taps his fork on plate or table etc.. these little things is what makes me think sometimes.
lol, Stephen so meets most of the criteria for ADHD. Honestly, it's no shock since his daddy has it.. Some of them are not quite so apparent because of his delayed speech and age, but definitely meets the criteria.. I italicized the ones I have a feeling he's going to have in the future..He's just not old enough yet.Six or more of the following symptoms of inattention have been present for at least 6 months to a point that is disruptive and inappropriate for developmental level:
Inattention
Often does not give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, work, or other activities.
Often has trouble keeping attention on tasks or play activities.
Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly.
Often does not follow instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace (not due to oppositional behavior or failure to understand instructions).
Often has trouble organizing activities.
Often avoids, dislikes, or doesn't want to do things that take a lot of mental effort for a long period of time (such as schoolwork or homework).
Often loses things needed for tasks and activities (e.g. toys, school assignments, pencils, books, or tools).
Is often easily distracted.
Is often forgetful in daily activities.
Six or more of the following symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity have been present for at least 6 months to an extent that is disruptive and inappropriate for developmental level:
Hyperactivity
Often fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat.
Often gets up from seat when remaining in seat is expected.
Often runs about or climbs when and where it is not appropriate (adolescents or adults may feel very restless).
Often has trouble playing or enjoying leisure activities quietly.
Is often "on the go" or often acts as if "driven by a motor".
Often talks excessively.
Impulsivity
Often blurts out answers before questions have been finished.
Often has trouble waiting one's turn.
Often interrupts or intrudes on others (e.g., butts into conversations or games).
Do all ASD kids do ANY single thing in the same way? LOL.
My daughter has no stims to speak of, and no mannerisms or peculiarities.
In fact we were talking to her summer daycamp director (who looked rather skeptical) and she had no idea ... with T much of what we observe is sort of between the level of "personality trait," and "symptom." But her lack of sociability with peers, her cognitive profile, her classroom difficulties, her SPD ... it is there. Barely, but there.
My Bug is very mild on the spectrum. Mild enough that I doubt anyone would Ever pick him out of a crowd to be on the spectrum.