Newbie with son with social problems
Iknow the feeling about DH mines exactly the same, sorry i cant give you any advice as im new to all this, but all i can say is good look and i hope you and your son get the help you both deserve.
Debs
Well it could be a number of things. Some of what you said does fit AD/HD (concentration). Some of what you said could fall on the Autism Spectrum (concentration, social problems, noises), and some could even fit with Touretes (noises), depending on if his noises are voluntary or not. Or it could be something totally different then anything I've mentioned.
Either way there are obvious concerns and I would have them checked out. Go to someone that has a wide knowledge in all different kinds of childhood disorders. You will get lots of suggestions on who to go to, my personal opinion is just to find someone knowledgeable. Ask teachers if they know who most people take their children too with problems. Ask your doctor, ask friends, etc. Good places to start though are Developmental Pediatricians, Neuropsychologist, and Child Psychiatrists.
Good luck!
The noises you describe are seen in ADHD kids. Parents of ADHD kids on this board have noticed them, and my son does them also, exactly as you describe. He has an ADHD dx from a neuro-psyche. Sometimes he remembers not to make the noises, but just doesn't care because he has impulse issues, like a lot ADHD kids. He's seven now, and he is starting to understand that the noises are not OK in all environments. He's reached a level of maturity where we can discuss it, and he is contemplating the problem, and improving. I wouldn't read too much into it. Don't try to diagnose him, just get an evaluation and go from there.You really need to have him checked out by your psychologist or psychiatrist of your choice. You need to know what it is you are trying to fix before you start trying to fix it, right? By the way, I have a nephew who sounds just like your son. I think they would hit it off great! So maybe he just needs some time to find a kindred spirit. In the meantime, you could make sure he is eating healthy, getting lots of exercise. You could add structure at home to help ease his transitions. You could also try social coaching or get him in a social group. I'm trying to find one of those myself! Also, do you think the noises are Tourettes? If it is, asking him to stop making the noises is like asking him to grow 3 inches. He can't do it. So talk to your pediatrician and good luck!To answer your question about intervention without meds, you might check out the Alternatives to Meds section of this message board. You might find some helpful info under "Omegas Latest Research" and "Magnesium." Many of us use diet with much success......
Good luck and welcome!
I actually think he should see a NeuroPsych. Kids with ADHD usually don't do so well in school, especially without meds or interventions. The weird noises, social problems, and the fact that others perceive him as unusual is more likely Aspergers Syndrome than ADHD. Those kids tend to be very good to great students, but extremely socially clueless. It is common for them to make weird noises. It's not imagination. Often it's a copy of television or a "stim." Vocal "stims" are common with ASD kids. Meds don't really do much for ASD anyways. I would definitely take her to a NeuroPsych--you can find them at University Hospitals and Chidlren's Hospitals. If it's Aspergers and she doesn't get the right interventions for ASD, she could be hampered all her life. The interventions for ASD are different than for ADHD. I personally wouldn't go with a regular psycologist. They don't know how to test for ASD, and my son was constantly misdiagnosed as ADHD/ODD by Psycologists. Psychiatrists don't do the intensive testing that NeuroPsychs do either and we had bad luck there as well, having son misdiagnosed with bipolar. In all, son was on twelve wrong meds and had two wrong diagnoses. Nobody spent enough time testing him or observing him to get an accurate picture of him. The NeuroPsych tested him for twelve hours, in two hour appointments. Here's a link to another site, which is just like this one, but it's about PDD/Autism (from low functioning to Aspergers). The parents there can tell you what they think. Most have been through the ADHD, realized more was going on, and moved ahead, and have a lot of knowledge. I'm on that board too. Again on the noises, I think he remembers not to make them, but just doesn't care, typical again of ASD. Often the kids don't care about making a good impression or dont' know how or don't realize that they look very strange. My son used to do this a lot, but has learned to keep the noises in his bedroom. But he's has tons of good interventions. He has been diagnosed (finally) with PDD-NOS. Good luck :)
www.autism-pdd.net/forum/default.asp
WOW! I really appreciate all of the input and advice. As far as Tourette's, I reallyl don't think it's that...these are all noises with a purpose. Asperger's? I have a friend whose son has that and they are two totally different types of kids. Eric also has a classmate that has Asperger's and he just doesn't fall in with either of these two boys...both of which are great kids.
These noises Eric makes, I have to say, are noises that he has picked up from some where or some thing, but when he's doing them he's always playing out an appropriate scene in his mind. They're not blurts although sometimes he'll do something when he's excited. I've asked him before if he can stop when he's doing it and he tells me his brain just doesn't let him. There's too much going on up there.
I feel as though I'm not making sense. I feel as though some of the things I'm saying are contradictory and maybe I'm making things sound less than they are, but I really don't think so. He's a great kid. Does very well in school. Just got his best grade card ever. He does have to be redirected although even that mark has gone up on his report card. He does have a couple of friends, but not one or two that he's super close to. The one friend that he does get along well with is another friend's son who has social and sensory problems. They get along great.
I will appreciate anymore comments that's for sure. His check-up is coming soon and I will bring it up again. My pediatrician is great and doesn't like to just RX for meds which is fine with me.
I'm new here. My son is 9(just turned)and has never been officially diagnosed with ADHD although teachers, the doctor and I feel that there is some going on. My DH though claims that he's just a normal 9 year old(6,7,8changes every birthday)and that he'll grow out of this. He's very smart although the wonderful standardized tests don't show that. He's loving, doesn't cause trouble, but has a hard time concentrating and controlling things such as emotions. He also has a very hard time making friends which I'm sure bothers me just as much as it does him..He's very imaginitive and loves to make noises(sound effects)which to him are just that, but to the other kids are considered weird. He just doesn't fit in. I've tried to get him to remember not to make these noises around other children or when he's in school, but to no avail. He also has a hard time accepting responsibility for his actions and blames everyone or everything, especially his 12 year old sister. Is this part of ADHD? I'm very frustrated. DH wants no meds whatsoever and I want 4th grade to go smoothly for him academicallly and socially. Has anyone tried anything diet wise that works? I know this is a lot for one post. I hope someone can help or point me in the right direction for my son.
Enter Your Email below to claim your Free Book