PDD-NOS and Anxiety Disorder

[triplefigs]

My DS5 (he's a triplet and preemie) has lots of issues such as Cerebral Palsy, SID, ADHD, Hypothyroidism, Growth Hormone Deficiency, developmental delays... Well he's been having severe anxiety attacks since Disney (had them at Disney on certain rides and areas to the point we had to leave the parks). It's been a really bad 3 weeks, so I made an emergency appt today with our Neurologist. My DH went too.

Rees was very anxious/crying during the entire appt which was good so she could see what we were dealing with. Long story short, Rees definitely is having anxiety attacks and has been diagnosed with Anxiety Disorder. The Neurologist said it was a good thing we came in as he could make himself very sick. He will start a med tomorrow (Buspar) to hopefully help. We follow up in 2 weeks to monitor his progress. The doctor also feels Rees now falls on the Autism spectrum and she tentatively diagnosed him with PDD-NOS. Not what I wanted to hear, but I'd rather face this head on and get him the help he needs. Prior to this appt they had said his obsessions were OCD, not PDD-NOS. But he's now having more symptoms of the PDD-NOS.

We're once again facing a new challenge. Any advice or tips that might help him relax? Any suggestions for the PDD-NOS diagnosis? He's in PT, OT, Speech and being evaluated by the school system on March 14 to begin the process of transitioning him to the public school system for Kindergarten this fall.

Thank you all.

Denise

 

[tw1nsmom]

I don't have a ton of advice, but just wanted to lend my support. DS has been diagnosed with Nonverbal Learning Disability, and while it's not technichly on the autistic spectrum, they share a lot of traits.

I know that most kids on the spectrum, as well as NLD kids thrive and rely on routine. There are a lot of good books and probably a lot of people on this board that can give you more specific advice.

I have done research and taken classes in special education advocacy. If you have any questions please feel free to PM me. My twins are in kindergarten, so I'm not that much further in the process than you.

 

[spotdog]

I don't know much about anxiety in young children, but as an adult with a severe, anxiety/panic disorder I have taken Buspar (busiperone) for over 10 years. I also take other meds which may not be appropriate for children.

The Buspar took a while (several weeks) to work, but it seems to have no side effects. This is unusual with anxiety medcations.

I wish the best for your and your son. Hang in there.

Are there activities, like watching familiar TV shows or taking a bath, which help your child's anxiety?

 

[Forevryoung]

I've had bad anxiety for a long time. Sometimes it's general and sometimes it's a panic attack. I have some tips for dealing with both.

Don't minimize the anxiety. Start things off slow. Sometimes it's two steps foward and a step back.

Sometimes just knowing I can do something to reduce the anxiety helps, like a reminder that I can go back to the car makes me feel more in control. Don't make him feel like that is a punishment for the anxiety which he cant help.

Putting someone who is having an anxiety attack's hand on your stomach and breathing normally will slow their breathing down. I dont know why it works but it does.

Is there anything that possibly calms him down and takes his mind off of life? Singing a song, general counting (I count to six... over and over), asking him to do a task like snapping

I cant think of any more right now but I might later... Anxiety stinks

 

[mamacass]

My 11 year old with PDD-NOS has been on Prozac for 3 years and it has made such a huge difference with his anxiety issues. He's had no side affects from the medication and has been thriving in school. He also has a one-on-one aide at school and that has been very beneficial for him. Don't be afraid to ask at school for what you need. Best of luck to you.

 

[triplefigs]

Thank you all for the tips and suggestions. He does better if I hold him securely and rub his back. Music is definitely the thing that calms him the most, so I sing to him too. At Disney we would leave the offending ride/area IMMEDIATELY (left several attractions through the emergency doors- the CMs were SO nice!). I would sit in a non-scary area and hold him, sing, take him for a walk in the stroller. He especially loved the Pooh ride and cindercellebration (music again) so DH would take him there when he was upset. It was bad at Disney at times, but has gotten progressively much worse since being home (trip was in Dec) and now is affecting daily life on a consistent basis. It breaks my heart to see him so panicked, upset, and scared.

We meet with the school in 2 weeks. It's supposed to be an excellent school and so far they are really impressing me with their suggestions for his IEP.

Please keep the idea, tips, hints coming. I just want to help him in whatever way I can.

 

[Ambassador]

We do not yet have a diagnosis of anxiety for one of our Little Delegation, but we have experienced at Disney what you describe. He was so unhappy at the happiest place on earth.

He is older now and more expressive and we now know that crowds, loud noises, and fireworks are diabolical in his perception. We let him plan what he wants to do, and gently encourage new experiences. Jungle Cruise in MK was a break-thru; he was absolutely scared to death of it for some reason but finally agreed to ride. He handles Test Track and Mission Space like an astronaut or NASCAR driver. Mickeys Philharmagic was torture and probably always will be. Century of Progress is his favorite of all.

Can your DS5 tell you, or express in drawings or play-therapy what he is anxious about? What would he like to do there: pretend to fly, go to Mars, fight pirates, visit a foreign country, jump in a fountain, hang at the pool, own the keys to the kingdom?

Fortunately for the Little Delegate and the Ambassador, we have found much happiness and lasting memories at WDW. He is almost as obsessed about it as me. Not to mention Mrs. Ambassador.

 

[Forevryoung]

Thank you all for the tips and suggestions. He does better if I hold him securely and rub his back. Music is definitely the thing that calms him the most, so I sing to him too. At Disney we would leave the offending ride/area IMMEDIATELY (left several attractions through the emergency doors- the CMs were SO nice!). I would sit in a non-scary area and hold him, sing, take him for a walk in the stroller. He especially loved the Pooh ride and cindercellebration (music again) so DH would take him there when he was upset. It was bad at Disney at times, but has gotten progressively much worse since being home (trip was in Dec) and now is affecting daily life on a consistent basis. It breaks my heart to see him so panicked, upset, and scared.

Does he know a song to sing? Even if it's "I'm a little teapot" 50 million times in a row it might help him calm himself down. My mom sang "You are my Sunshine" to me before bed every night. I still sing it in my head when I dont want to think about something.

Instead of leaving the area would it work if you cupped his face with your hands (to block out whatever is going on arround him), put your face close to his and talked to him softly? When I was younger my mom would do that for me and it helped. Now I just close my eyes if I can.