My son's had a wierd experience during the easter break. He went to Sydney to visit his aunty who then took him to a theme park. After a particularly awful ride he came off feeling very unwell and very distressed. He kept on saying - I have to get my books!!!
Now my sister was very confused -"I left them on the ledge and the cleaners will get them and I'll get into trouble" Now she was very confused!!!!! What did he mean? He had left his books at school on the ledge 10 days earlier and the ride had triggered the memory. She stopped his melt down by faking a call to me and telling him that I had them and it was okay. He calmed down immediately. She then put them on another ride!
Strange? Yes we were really confused. So when I was talking to the specialist about my daughter, I talked to him about my son!
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder! Our son is highly anxious and always has been. He thinks he is having flash backs to getting into trouble at school or probably even at home. I was quite upset by this and asked him what event would have triggered this - we are firm but fair - Because he is so sentistive the doctor said that it was just surviving in the world. Makes so much sense that he has break downs.
Another indicator would be regression in development. His work is really shocking - he acts like a 10 year old. He was a talented artist - now has trouble drawing simple things. Talented musician that rarely picks up his instruments. It is all too hard. It doesn't help being tiny with delayed puberty. Also can account for the hyperactivity, paranoia, sleep difficulties. Obsession occurs because it is safe. When he is in a challenging world than if he can focus on that one thing he can block everything out eg yo yo / psp / jigsaws etc we have had them all!!!
Our other specialist - psychiatrist firmly believes it is autism - very interesting!!!
So another possible label - why don't these kids come with these listed!!!!