Hello. Our son just got diagnosed

[Liberty Belle]

today with ADHD. I knew he had it and really it seems almost a relief to get the diagnosis, but I'm still a little scared/worried about what's going to happen now. The clinician said he thought my son would respond well to medication, so we're going to try to go that route. His teacher implemented a behavior chart a few weeks ago, with some success.

He has sensory issues with clothing at home and the clinician noted more indicators of sensory problems while observing him in his office, so our next step is to get a sensory eval. for him. The clinician thought that was a big part of his difficulties.

My son is having a hard time with the diagnosis. He was in the office when the clinician was explaining everything to me and knows he was diagnosed with ADHD, but he doesn't like it. He said he doesn't want anyone to know (he didn't even want me to tell my husband, his dad).

For those of you with children with ADHD, how did you help them accept the diagnosis? I think that's the first hurdle we need to get over right now.

 

[bookwormde]

You do not say how old your child is so that would help with giving you ideas.

One note of caution, The fact that he has sensory sensitivities increases what is already the somewhat likelihood that he ADHD diagnosis is not a correct diagnosis, and that if he has any heightened anxiety from social competency issues that most of the medications are contraindicated, for what may be the alternate diagnosis.

If he is truly hyperactive (an the go all the time) and can not focus on anything for significant period of time then the ADHD diagnosis is likely appropriate, if he is able to focus on areas of his interest for extended periods of time and what you are seeing is an atypical social behavior (like moving and acting in a “theatrical method”) then this is not true hyperactivity. If the second is the case you should hold off on the medication and get a copy of Tony Attwood’s “The complete guide to Aserpgers” C/2007 available on Amazon for about $25. This will allow you to make much better informed decision of what is appropriate for your child and what additional evaluations by highly qualified clinicians might be advisable.

It does not sound like you are in crisis mode so taking some more time to become better educated my save your child from significant delay and damage if the diagnosis turn out to be incorrect (which is true in the majority of ADHD diagnosis.

He may be more perspective and self aware than you think so he may be correct in not accepting it, be sure it is correct before putting to much effort in trying to get him to accept it since if you do “force it” and later you find it was wrong trying to rebuild that trust is very difficult.


bookwormde

 

[Liberty Belle]

You do not say how old your child is so that would help with giving you ideas.

One note of caution, The fact that he has sensory sensitivities increases what is already the somewhat likelihood that he ADHD diagnosis is not a correct diagnosis, and that if he has any heightened anxiety from social competency issues that most of the medications are contraindicated, for what may be the alternate diagnosis.

If he is truly hyperactive (an the go all the time) and can not focus on anything for significant period of time then the ADHD diagnosis is likely appropriate, if he is able to focus on areas of his interest for extended periods of time and what you are seeing is an atypical social behavior (like moving and acting in a “theatrical method”) then this is not true hyperactivity. If the second is the case you should hold off on the medication and get a copy of Tony Attwood’s “The complete guide to Aserpgers” C/2007 available on Amazon for about $25. This will allow you to make much better informed decision of what is appropriate for your child and what additional evaluations by highly qualified clinicians might be advisable.

It does not sound like you are in crisis mode so taking some more time to become better educated my save your child from significant delay and damage if the diagnosis turn out to be incorrect (which is true in the majority of ADHD diagnosis.

He may be more perspective and self aware than you think so he may be correct in not accepting it, be sure it is correct before putting to much effort in trying to get him to accept it since if you do “force it” and later you find it was wrong trying to rebuild that trust is very difficult.


bookwormde

He's a very bright six year old. He really has no signs of anxiety at all. Both his teacher and I scored him very low on the anxiety questions. I do have a history of anxiety, though, so it's something to be aware of.

He has always been "on the go." Also louder than other children and very talkative (luckily his a very likable and intelligent kid, so if the timing is appropriate adults do enjoy talking with him). And he is having significant problems in school with staying in his seat, among other things.

Today he did a test on the computer (I'm not sure what it was called) that measured impulsivity and attentiveness. His scored was a lowish "moderate. Apparently anything above a 2 shows attention problems and he scored a 5. He also had to do a manual task that showed marked restlessness and impulsivity, but I was happy to see that the clinician noted that he "demonstrated good frustration tolerance and a good sense of humor when challenged."

He is able to stay focused when he is doing something he enjoys (playing with Legos, making "science experiments", watching tv, reading or being read to, etc.). The clinician said this was because he was motivated to do so since it's something he enjoys.

I work as an instructional assistant /para educator with children with behavior problems and in the past have worked with children with Autism. I don't believe I've ever worked with anyone who had Asperger's, but I'm convinced my deceased uncle had it. I really do not think my son has Asperger's (I'm certain he does not have Autism), but it's something I could look into to be sure. The clinician does know about my uncle and he did not mention Aspergers in regards to my son.

I'll take a look at that book, thank you for the recommendation. Someone in our Special Ed. department at school might have it.

What do you mean about a "theatrical method?" He's not theatrical in the sense that some of the Autistic children I've worked with are (sometimes it seems as if they're reading lines or acting out a play, etc.), but he is very dramatic.

Thank you for your advice! I appreciate all I get. This is all very new to us, even though I work with children with ADHD and other disorders every day.

 

[wdwdreamingdcj]

IF your son had a normal speech pattern by the age of 2 he can not be diagnosed with aspergers you can check the pyschiatric diagnostic manual if you want. I really think to many people jump to the spectrum these days. I say that as a mother with a son who is autistic and having another who I had to fight with the school when they thought he had aspergers which I did not see.Thank god I stuck to my guns turns out he has Central auditory processing disorder which explains his sensory issues. The spectrum has become to big an diagnosis are being missed because of it. If you worked with autistic kids the extreme degree and reaction of sensory issues.
I don't agree regarding social competency issues as a person with ADHD I don't like large groups of people it is very hard for me to keep up with so much input at once because my concentration is not that great when I don't take my meds.
I would explain to your son that he has a chemical imbalance much like someone who has diabetes. Someone with diabetes needs to exercise eat good but they still need to take medication to help them. The medication will help him focus so he can complete his work at school. Maybe you could agree that he doesn't take the medication on weekends or vacations -- unless he is on something like strattera where you have to take it. If he is on something like Ritalin or adderall you should see an effect right away unless he is on an incorrect dose.
Good Luck and remember you know your child best! Anyway you look at it your days will never be boring with either diagnosis!!

 

[Liberty Belle]

IF your son had a normal speech pattern by the age of 2 he can not be diagnosed with aspergers you can check the pyschiatric diagnostic manual if you want. I really think to many people jump to the spectrum these days. I say that as a mother with a son who is autistic and having another who I had to fight with the school when they thought he had aspergers which I did not see.Thank god I stuck to my guns turns out he has Central auditory processing disorder which explains his sensory issues. The spectrum has become to big an diagnosis are being missed because of it. If you worked with autistic kids the extreme degree and reaction of sensory issues.
I don't agree regarding social competency issues as a person with ADHD I don't like large groups of people it is very hard for me to keep up with so much input at once because my concentration is not that great when I don't take my meds.
I would explain to your son that he has a chemical imbalance much like someone who has diabetes. Someone with diabetes needs to exercise eat good but they still need to take medication to help them. The medication will help him focus so he can complete his work at school. Maybe you could agree that he doesn't take the medication on weekends or vacations -- unless he is on something like strattera where you have to take it. If he is on something like Ritalin or adderall you should see an effect right away unless he is on an incorrect dose.
Good Luck and remember you know your child best! Anyway you look at it your days will never be boring with either diagnosis!!

Thank you.

No, he actually shines verbally. He was speaking very early and has excellent expressive language skills, so that doesn't fit.

I've thought he had ADHD (and SID of some sort) for a while now. At first I guess I just didn't want to admit it or wanted to just hope it away, I guess.

I really am nervous about medication, but honestly, he does need it. If things are as bad at school as his teacher says, the behavior chart alone is not going to cut it. Plus, he's a very smart boy and the teacher said he's falling below in some areas because of his behavior and inattentiveness.

I am really interested in seeing what the OT says, though. His sensory problems are apparently worse than I'd originally thought. I didn't realize, for instance, that he sought out noisy things until the clinician pointed it out to me. So he has hyper sensitivity in some areas and hypo in others.

 

[KirstenB]

Our older dd was dx'd in 3rd grade, she's in 6th now. I just thought she was daydreamy, but her 3rd grade teacher pushed us really hard about dd's lack of focus in the classroom. She takes Concerta. She's always had sensory issues, but I knew nothing about them. I just thought they were her quirks. DH would get frustrated with her always clapping her hands over her ears, asking me to cut the tags out of her clothes, etc. I used to tell him, "look, her nerves are just on fire, I don't know why, but they are, so leave her be".

It was when her younger sister was dx'd with autism, that I began to research and understand sensory issues. Anyway, I'd just remind your son that everyone has things they're good at, and things that are tricky. Paying attention can be tricky, but it's really important, especially at school. I bet some of his classmates are in the same boat, so it might comfort him to know he's not alone.

Finally, dd's meds do make her a little moody, and tend to suppress her appetite. I just toss that out, so you can be on the lookout for any side effects. Good luck!

 

[DVCisME]

"IF your son had a normal speech pattern by the age of 2 he can not be diagnosed with aspergers you can check the pyschiatric diagnostic manual if you want"

I never heard that. Can you provide a link, please? Thanks.

 

[LindaBabe]

As an person with ADHD who was never hyper active, I can tell you You will be doing him a huge favor if you do give him at least a trial on meds. My life, academic life, social life, work life would have been hugely different had I been diagosed and medicated before the age of 50!

I could always focus when I was "engaged" in it but I could never focus in algebra, for example, no matter HOW much I tried.

you might also want to get him into something that provides regular physical exercise - like tai kwando or dance or something like that.

Good reading - Driven to Distraction and the follow on Delivered from Distraction, both by Ned Hallowell. He has a great way of having 'the conversation' with kids.

Good luck to you and your son.

 

[OneLittleSpark]

I think that Dreaming's suggestion of putting it into context with other conditions is a good one. Make sure he knows that this diagnosis doesn't mean he's crazy, or stupid, or naughty - it's just a medical condition, like so many others out there, that isn't his fault.

I've got a medical condition that means that my joints hurt all the time, even though there's no actual damage there (Fibromyalgia, in case anyone's interested). That doesn't mean that I'm making it up, or pretending so I can get some attention; it's just something my body does that I can't help. I'm on various medications for it, and use a wheelchair out and about, which all help me to live my life as I want, but it still causes me problems.

As he's still quite young, he might appreciate you pointing out characters who also 'have his condition'. We've got a whole thread on Disney characters with disabilities, but the ADHD guys, off the top of my head, are Tigger and Stitch. They're both wonderful characters, and everyone loves them very much, but they sometimes find it hard to stay still.

It might do him some good to have a talk with you about his condition. Let him ask any questions; reassure him that nobody will think any differently of him, just because he's got this condition (after all, he's always had it, and his friends like him for who he is!); etc. You might also want to try and find the 'positive side' to the condition. I couldn't begin to think of them for ADHD, as I don't have it; but I can find the positives in my Dyslexia. I think it's made me more determined; taught me to fight against obstacles; made me more visually orientated (very useful as an Engineer); and helped my creativity, to name just a few. I'm sure if you two talk it over (possibly whilst doing something active, like playing catch), you'll find loads of positive things the ADHD does for him.

And just a note to reassure you and your husband - ADHD isn't a 'life sentence'. Yes, he will have it for the rest of his life, but it doesn't have to stop him doing whatever he wants. I'm sure you already know this, from your work with special ed. kids, but I know that sometimes it helps to have someone remind you of this from time to time.

I have a friend who has ADHD (as well as a whole load of other issues!), which at times he really struggles with. However, he's gone all the way through academia (including sitting through 4 hours straight of lectures in the same lecture theatre, every morning and afternoon for a year ), and is currently working towards his PhD in Engineering, whilst working for an aeroplane design company. I hope nobody thinks this story is in any way patronising or demeaning; I'm not trying to pat him on the head and say 'well done, good boy'. I'm just really proud of my friend, because I know how hard it has been for him at times, and it's taken all his strength to get where he is now. Whatever your little boy wants to do, I'm sure he can achieve it, no matter what challenges life throws at him!

However you guys decide to tackle this, I'm sure you'll do a great job. It sounds like you already have a very fine little man, with a wonderfully strong family network to support him .

 

[bookwormde]

It is very “different” to identify classily autistic children and Aspergers children, I can pretty much “guarantee” by your additional descriptions that your child has come of the autistic characteristics and does not have classic ADHD, so keep an open mind. There are lots of children who due to there self adaptive abilities generate on there own intellectual abilities to take the place of the innate abilities that they lack due to their genetic genotype.

Also with the more adaptive children the social challenges do not become complex enough until the 7-10 YO range

Basically let go of your entire preconception from working with autistic children, the Apsergers “world” particularly the diagnostic phases has little relationship.

No I by theatrical I do not mean repeating lines, but when they are working in their minds they will often “act out” in to some extent what they are visualizing so they are “in motion” when they are thinking.

As for speech where our children differ is often I pragmatics and the other non logical stricture of language.

Also do not overly compare your child to others you have worked with who are ADHD as a methodology for thinking the diagnosis is correct because statistically a majority of those diagnosed with ADhd issues, later it is found to be spectrum EF, sensory, social and anxiety issues.

It sounds like you are going to “educate" yourself further, so that is by far your best course in the immediate future.

Just for clarification for be diagnosed with Aspergers you must have had no significant speech delays, if a child has then they are diagnosed as HFA (although if the speech catches up the are essentially clinically equivalent, just with different labels).

bookwormde

 

[Liberty Belle]

It is very “different” to identify classily autistic children and Aspergers children, I can pretty much “guarantee” by your additional descriptions that your child has come of the autistic characteristics and does not have classic ADHD, so keep an open mind. There are lots of children who due to there self adaptive abilities generate on there own intellectual abilities to take the place of the innate abilities that they lack due to their genetic genotype.

Also with the more adaptive children the social challenges do not become complex enough until the 7-10 YO range

Basically let go of your entire preconception from working with autistic children, the Apsergers “world” particularly the diagnostic phases has little relationship.

No I by theatrical I do not mean repeating lines, but when they are working in their minds they will often “act out” in to some extent what they are visualizing so they are “in motion” when they are thinking.

As for speech where our children differ is often I pragmatics and the other non logical stricture of language.

Also do not overly compare your child to others you have worked with who are ADHD as a methodology for thinking the diagnosis is correct because statistically a majority of those diagnosed with ADhd issues, later it is found to be spectrum EF, sensory, social and anxiety issues.

It sounds like you are going to “educate" yourself further, so that is by far your best course in the immediate future.

Just for clarification for be diagnosed with Aspergers you must have had no significant speech delays, if a child has then they are diagnosed as HFA (although if the speech catches up the are essentially clinically equivalent, just with different labels).

bookwormde

I don't know how to separate a quote, so I'll have to do it this way:

1st bolded part: What specifically makes you think that? What did I say that were red flags?

2nd bolded part: I think I can visualize what you're saying, but I'm pretty sure my son doesn't do that. I'll have to watch and see.

3rd bold: Could you explain this further or give me some examples?

4th bold: What would be some red flags for Asperger's, then? My son scored fairly low on the Conner's social ability category (I think it was around 70 from his teacher and about 66 with me - with anything under 65 not clinically significant), but he's always been a very social child. I think his volume and the fact that he can be over enthusiastic sometimes put children off.

Thank you for all the attention you're giving my post. I really appreciate it.

 

[bookwormde]

The attention pattern you describe is classic Aseprgers, sensory issues particularly tactile are classic Aspergers, Having a likely family history of spectrum genetics, all he is missing is the social skills/ anxiety manifestations for a formal diagnosis.

Ask him when he is “moving” around what is in his mind.

Attenuation in both volume and presentation are both controlled and dampened by social skills, and in the vast majority this is why the differential. Many Aspergers children are very social as long as the environment is for lack of a better description “family like”, it is when thing be more complicated and social demands are greater that for many intelligent spectrum children that things start to unravel, and there are some that intellectually manage to handle the extra demands as long as the environment is supporting.

Figures of speech, sarcasm (from others), much humor, and just about anything that require significant situational adaptation the actual meaning of the words.

There are lots of indicators (to many to go through) but Attwood’s book covers almost all of them very well.

Aseprgers children have normal primary speech development (or some times even accelerated).

One thing you might want to do also is to do an auditory processing evaluation (this should have been done for ADHD) as it is very helpful in identifying spectrum EF issues (make sure the clinician is familiar with both ADHD and Aspergers).

Does he have a typical diet or is it somewhat or significantly restricted, this is another non documented area that is common in something around half of the AS children, as is some atypical sleep patterns (often needing less sleep)

I am also very surprised that after taking the family history the your clinician did not refer him for a broader evaluation including for spectrum characteristics.


bookwormde

 

[Jackie Psarianos]

I understand your situation, as my son was diagnosed with autism seven years ago. That did not stop us from visiting Disney World or DCL.

Disney accommodates for people of special needs and we always get the Guest Assistance Card. This is a card you need to get from any theme park guest services.

This is how we get the card:

-I always bring a letter of diangosis from the doctor (it is NOT mandatory),
-I explain that my son has autism and he has sensory issues,
-the cast member asks how long our visit is and writes the last day of our visit on the card,
-the cast member asks how many in the party (they will issue it for a TOTAL of six people including the person afflicted).

This card IS NOT a fast pass. Once you show it to the attraction attendant, they will direct you accordingly to the proper line to wait and we sometimes also asked to wait in a quieter, less crowded area and they accommodated our need especially if my son became too excited or agitated.

For our son, we ONLY use the card if the lines are over 30 minutes because we are trying very hard to teach him to wait quietly.

They have a really great sticky on the GAC here on the disboards, please read it.

Have a great trip!

 

[SueM in MN]

My comment is that ADD, ADHD, Autism and Aspergergers are all syndromes.
Syndromes are a group of symptoms or signs that together are characteristic of a specific disorder, disease or condition.

Each particular diagnosis has definition including a specific list of symptoms or signs that may be components of that syndrome. The definition also includes things like the minimum number of symptoms/signs that must be present to make the diagnosis and may include specific things that must be present to make that diagnosis. The test/observation results from an individual are compared with that list to make a diagnosis. Some, like Down Syndrome are very easy diagnoses to make because once the specific signs for Down Syndrome are noted, a genetic test will confirm the diagnosis. Many syndromes have no specific test that says "this is x syndrome and not y."

Many syndromes share symptoms or signs so an individual person with one syndrome may have certain behaviors, symptoms, etc that look very much like the behaviors, symptoms of someone with a completely different syndrome. People with the same diagnosis may look very different because they have a different combination of symptoms from the list for that diagnosis or because one person has the minimum number of symptoms needed to make that diagnosis and someone else had practically the whole list. And, some people may have some of the symptoms from a list or a single symptom, but not have enough in any specific category to make a diagnosis - for example, many people are sensitive to things like clothing labels or clothing that they consider tight or scratchy when other people have no problem with those things.

That does not mean the original diagnosis is wrong, just that they share some components. And, some people may have more than one diagnosis and/or may not have enough signs/symptoms to make a definitive diagnosis.
It is always good to look at other possibilities, but an individual may also look very different in person than they look 'on paper,' so find a qualified local person you trust. If what they are telling you makes sense to what you are seeing in your child, and the things they are suggesting make sense and seem to be helping, go with it. Also, keep in mind that 6 is a pretty young age for any specific diagnosis and it is possible that a diagnosis may change as a child matures.

If you want more information on touring WDW with ADD/ADHD or anything that might share symptoms with those conditions, you will find some helpful hints in post #3 of the disABILITIES FAQs.