new with a question | Autism PDD

Hi, I'm a mom to 6 kids still at home. My oldest has ADHD and is my biological child, my next three kids are adopted, have the same birth mom and were drug/alcohol exposed. My 9 yo shows many of the triggers for rages that your children show. He has been developementally on target always, dxed FAE and ADHD traits at 3, Bipolar at 5, and motor coordination disorder and ARND at 8. His siblings show anxiety, visual perceptual problems and one has NVLD. I have seen an excellent comparison of ADHD and Bipolar and found it helpful but I would like to find something similar comparing Bipolar and ASD. Does anyone know of anything helpful to compare the two? Thanks

I too am interested in this...my son was dx'd with autism by a psychologist, but he sees a psychiatrist too and talks to me all the time about bipolar in children...although he has not officially been dx'd.

really cant rememberI googled & found this, it may be of help to you. It also has a lot of links.
http://groups.msn.com/TheAutismHomePage/bipolardisorder.msnw

http://www.autismtoday.com/articles/
Autism_and_Childhood_Bipolar.htm

(sorry, my hyperlinks never seem to work)

Also, our dd is dx'd w/ "Static Encephalopathy," this was her dx from 8
mos. Under that 'umbrella,' she also has several other diagnoses,
including autism. Static Encephalopathy means "brain dysfunction," you
mentioned FAE, lots of kids w/ FAS, FAE are considered to have SE (as
well as children w/ cerebral palsy & others). Under SE, you can see
impulse control issues, attention dysfunction, etc. Our neuro had told us
early on that because of dd's static encephalopathy, she would be at risk
as she got older for things like ADHD, learning disorders, neurological
disorders, & psychological disorders. So, for your son, it could be trickier
to pin-point what the main cause of his behaviors are. I would see a
developmental pediatrician for an autism evaluation & go from there. The
dev ped may also be able to help you sort through all the dx's & come up
w/ a plan to best help your son. Also, I would discuss your concerns w/
son's psychologist, perhaps he/she can even do an eval (& possibly
before you are able to get in w/ dev ped). Keep us posted. Welcome to
the group!

I don't have any resources for that specific question, but you might want to check out the diagnostic questionnaire at www.childbrain.com.

Good luck with everything.

not sure lemme think??

I'm living with one and living as one. So I've seen and experienced the signs and symptoms.... But I think what you are looking for is proper DSM-IV Diagnosis Criteria.... maybe....

Anyway, you are doing GREAT JOB handling your kids. And just like your name houseofcards, you recognize how fragile your situation can be at home....

Keep on posting and asking.... This is one Message Board that hears you and gives you GOOD advice and GOOD company.

Our psych tells us we will know for sure when puberty hits.

But for now--he is so much more stable then when he was 3-6y. We found the right med combo--that really shouldn't be working if he was bipolar. But saying that--his 11y sister is bipolar and lots of mood issues on Dh's side of family. Dh was recently dx'd AS and is on lithium for moods. His uncle and cousin are bipolar also. So---Dh probably is bipolar 2 and AS.