Hello mumsnetters,
I'm looking for some advice on DS (5) in reception. No issues previously at nursery but signs were emerging towards the end.
Biggest issues for us are with peers. There are two main things:
- he doesn't have a good concept of personal space and will get in other children's faces/grab their arms etc.
- he struggles when other children don't play by his rules and/or when he doesn't win (lots of shouting and whining).
I'm looking for help with:
- what we might be dealing with (ADHD/autism/sensory processing disorder/other)
- how we can help him specifically with the above issues so he can form friendships (I can't really do playdates etc. at the moment because he doesn't cope with them emotionally)
- if there are particular strategies that have helped with emotional regulation/overwhelm (i.e. does the approach in 'The Explosive Child' work for example? Would occupational health help?) I can't get him assessed for ADHD until he is 6.
For context, in general he fidgets, has poor impulse control, has sensory issues (difficulty with food/smells, clumsy, need physical contact all the time), is loud, talks excessively, is very reactive.
And he is also bright, sleeps well, has no problems focussing and following instructions/rules in school (but with significant post restraint collapse after school) and is not 'on the go' all the time.
Thank you!