Hi all
I'm sorry, this is long. I've thought for a while that my DS (age 7) is neurodiverse. He's never been in big trouble at school (for example for violence etc) but he has never found it a smooth ride.
Does any of this sound familiar to those of you with neurodiverse children? To caveat, my husband is certain he has inattentive ADHD.
- Very fidgety, never sits still, prone to leaving seat a lot
- Doesn't appear to be listening (for example fiddling with something, looking away) but is actually taking it in
- Weak core, awkward at running, poor coordination with ball sports, but could ride a bike with no stabilisers at age 4, and is a decent swimmer. He has always struggled with sitting on the mat at school but is recently allowed to lean against a cupboard and is much better for it.
- Forgetful in terms of where he leaves his belongings, and gets upset when he loses things or can't remember where he put them.
- Doesn't have big major tantrums but quick to snap and get stroppy, will answer back to the teacher rudely, as if without a filter, for example "FINE-UH/eyeroll" when he is asked to do something he doesn't want to do (not every day, but noticeably more than peers). However knows that it was wrong quickly, will be annoyed with himself, say sorry. He is like this at home, very quick to be defiant, but will reflect and say sorry independently.
- Gets very over excited and silly
- Is bright, excellent memory, and ahead of the majority of his class with reading (not unusually ahead however)
- Seems to make friends easily in new places but at school is selective and sticks to the same 2-3 friends like glue (same friends since reception, now in year 2).
- Big sense of fairness, he's well used to having to give in/not get his way at home as he's not an only child, but still in school during group work/discussions, he gets very annoyed if classmates interrupt him, and likes to talk for a long time when it's his turn.
- Very eager to please, responds well to praise at school and not so well to punishments (for example losing a star on a chart). Loves to be chosen for things like classroom jobs, loves to feel important/like he's helping.
- Can be really happy and flexible, but can also often be what I'd call "prickly", grumpy and quick to anger.
- Concerned with what others are doing for example if his group at school is doing maths, and another group is on the iPad, he will get grumpy and has been known to go on about it, and he thinks it's unfair even though every group gets a turn at every task (it just might be in two days time rather than today).
- Sensitive to moods, he picks up very easily if DH and I are arguing, doesn't like being told off.
- Similarly he can be an absolute wind up merchant, what seems to be deliberately annoying us to the point we snap.