Seeking Advice About PDD

Updated on March 24, 2007
P.W. asks from Fitchburg, MA
5 answers

I have a 7 year old boy who is about to go through testing to see if he may have PDD. He is very verbal and in a high reading group in school. His academic ability is actually very good. He does definitely have a problem with his motor skills,and has always seemed to have a problem with social interaction,and gets obsessed with certain facts and sayings. He can't tell when he's being picked on most of the time,and cannot deviate from instructions even if it's perfectly ok to do so. As the school year has gotten a bit more difficult,he has started to say he is tired in school when he needs to shut down,so the school asked me to take him to the doctor. I did,and his health is fine,and he gets about 10 hours of sleep a night on average. I told the doctor about my concerns,and she suggested the PDD testing,and OT for his motor skills(he cannot button his pants or tie his shoes, or even turn a doorknob most of the time,but can play a complex video game,and write fairly well) Does anyone have a child with these types of mild symptoms of Autism? It may be a long time before I can get him into a program,and some advice on some things to do to help him would be wonderful. Right now his biggest issues are using the bathroom on time,and kids stealing his crayons etc...at school.

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So What Happened?

I am recieving paperwork by mail from the Pediatrician to get Max tested,but she says even if I get it in right away we may still have to wait until January. OK,so I figured I'd work on getting him OT for his motor skills for now. The OT person at his school saw him finally,and wrote a note for me. It was the craziest note I ever saw. She said he buttoned a button for her and zipped his coat. Also,she says even though she had to give him two different pencil grips,he seems to eventually hold his pencil correctly. I had told them it is zippers and buttons that require a little more force that he cannot do...and this includes not being able to open our front door or turn some doorknobs. Now,he is 4 foot 4,and 100 pounds,and very strong. He isn't a small child by any means,and he still doesn't always go to the bathroom when he needs to,nor can he clean himself properly afterwards most of the time. He can do most things with no problem,but some things just don't seem to stick with him no matter how hard we work at it. She concluded by saying she thinks he need more excersise? He becomes tired easily I am guessing because he can't run easily or walk up stairs without what seems like some difficulty. So we're back to the health thing...they think he's unhealthy. He used to weigh 20 pounds more last year,and we bought a big house with a huge yard with a big playful dog besides. He never stops moving,but he is uncoordinated and gets tired easily. He is also very pale. His dad has German heritage,and unlike his sister and brother,he has blue eyes and gets extremely pale during the winter months. When he was born they thought there was a problem until they realized he is just very light. She said Max told her he is drinking special shakes now,and she took that to mean there was a problem. These "special shakes" are just Carnation Instant Breakfast with 1% milk suggested by the doctor because of his picky eating and dislike for breakfast. A month ago his tummy was feeling sick,so I made him some very watered down tea . He went to school and told his teacher he was hopped up on caffeine today? So this is what has happened so far. Should I just wait for the tests? Or should I schedule a meeting with his teacher to explain? He is such a good student that they don't seem able to understand that he isn't tired sometimes,he just says he's tired when he can't finish something or possibly when he's confused or frustrated or maybe even bored? I have been down all the roads they are going down already and have told them so? I'm confused and frustrated!

More Answers

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M.J.

answers from Boston on

Hi P....
Yup... sounds like your son has Asperger's Syndrome... My son was diagnosed 2 years ago. He has all the same symptoms that your son does.. Don't Be surprised if they either diagnose it as PDD-NOS (at first) or Asperger's Syndrome.. the best thing we did for Alan (who is also 7).. was get him tested by a Pediatric Neurologist. I did have a double edge sword feeling when he was diagnosed. The reason being that it was kinda of "phew I finally have a diagnosis" and then "oh no... now what do I do"

anything I can do, contact me off list if you have any questions!
-M.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.B.

answers from Lewiston on

I also have a child that I THOUGHT portrayed symptoms of PDD. I have been asked several times if he has an Autism spectrum disorder or if he is ADHD. He has been found to have sensory intergration dysfunction which is improving greatly with OT but his behavior does not seem to be improving to me. I just had his first PET yesterday and his OT and CDS worker both insisted he was normal if not advanced and did not see any problem. I am still concerned. I am getting him a psychological evaluation through CDS however I don't have the insurance coverage or money to pay for an evalution from a pediatric neurologist as Maya has suggested. I just wanted to let you know that although I don't have a child with a dx I know what you are going through with the worries. Sorry I don't have any advice for you!

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A.R.

answers from Lewiston on

Hi P.,
I have worked with children on the autism spectrum for many years and what you are describing sounds like Aspergers Syndrome. I worked with a little boy for 2 years with this (5-7 years old) as a behavioral specialist and found picture schedules, consistancy, and a great deal of patience and understanding of the disorder to be very helpful. A great website I have used in the past is http://www.dotolearn.com/
lots of info and printables. A correct diagnosis is definately the best way to start. Educating the school where your son goes is another huge help (especially in the classroom, including the students) When the children in my little boys class understood, the help and kindness came pouring in...:) They all wanted to help him succeed.
A.

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C.W.

answers from Bangor on

Hi P.,
The spectrum of PDD varies, there are many children with symptoms like your sons, and many with other symptoms. Don't get scared of the label of getting your son diagnosed, this only means getting him the help he needs so he does not struggle for the rest of his life in social situations and with the other issues that are happening. My son is on the other end of the spectrum, completely non verbal. I would first start by having an evaluation done, I would call your local child development services and speak with them. You should do this ASAP. He will likely have to go through a couple of evaluations before getting diagnosed, if this is the case. And the sooner the better for anyone who needs assistance. Because getting everything to fall into place after diagnosis seems like it takes forever. My prayers are with you and just remember that things will get better.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.L.

answers from Boston on

I am a child and adolescent psychiatric advanced practice nurse. I work with many kids who fall along the autism spectrum. A good friend of mine has two kids who were diagnosed with autism from early on. SHe has has become a staunch believer in Relationship Development Intervention and believes that it has worked wonders for her kids. The website is www.rdiconnect.com It is all about the way you interact with kids with these issues to help them be more flexible in their thinking.

Good luck!
J.

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