Son with ASD/ADHD

[allie1972]

Hi there, posted a few days ago to get advice regarding my son who is displaying some ASD tendencies. Most pronounced is lack of eye contract and aversion to some loud noises - such as clapping in school assemblies etc. Thanks to those of you who replied.

Ed. psych came into school a few days ago and is suggesting mild high functioning autism because he does tend to play alone rather than co-operatively, and during her visit she witnesed no social interaction between him and his classnates.

It's not that I think she is wrong, as he does have some autistic traits, but the autism diagnosis doesn;t seem to cover the bad behaviour and impulsiveness and fidgetyness that I thought were ADHD related.

I am very confused. He can be loving and show empathy but the defiance and aggression are getting worse and to top it all he has really low self esteem. In class last week the teacher complimented his class on their improving listening skills and Josh said "I'm getting worse and worse". I burst into tears when teacher told me that .

Are his ADHD symptoms a part of the ASD diagnosis or could he have both? Who do we turn to now for a more formal diagnosis/treatment? I was really hoping to give ritalin a try but if it's ASD then he won't get it, will he?

Sorry for all the questions. Burst into tears at the swimming pool today because he was being so naughty and I couldn't cope with people staring at me as if I were a bad mother. Think it's all the pregnancy hormones.

Another baby boy due in 2 weeks. Read today that autism is more common in boys and more common in children with blond hair. Mine are all boys and all real blondies. Feel like throwing the towel in already.

Allie.

I have no experience of ADHD so can't help you there I'm afraid but hopefully someone with experience and advice will be along soon to help. I just didn't want to ignore your post.

FWIW neither of my 2 boys have blond hair - although ds1 did for a little while.

Hi Allie - my ds was dx as AS/ADHD when he was 5. He is 8 now and has taken Ritalin and several other meds. He is now on Strattera which works reasonably well.

He was dx with ADHD first and then AS sometime after which was a real shock. He is very dark haired and actually all the boys I can think of at the Autistic group we attend, are dark haired too! I hadn't heard the blonde theory before.

I'm sorry you are having such a hard time of it - I am overly emotional when it comes to my ds and i'm not even pregnant!

I've never heard the blond theory before. I've heard a theory about more children with ASD being born in Aug/Sept/Oct, prolly cobblers!
Anyway allie, he could have ADHD and ASD although a lot of children with ASD have poor attention. My DS has terrible attention but he can be calm for long times so, although he CAN be hyperactive he ISN'T hyperactive iyswim. The other behaviours such as impulsiveness, fidgeting etc can also go with ASD. I wouldn't rush into medication before trying other things such as behaviour management but, if you do go to meds, have a look at Risperidone rather than Ritalin. ASD children certainly can have Ritalin, mine was prescribed it some years ago bt it didn't suit him. Risperidone is newer and seems to be very effective with ASD.

My DD has ASD but is being 'investigated' for ADHD but, like Davros says, it could be part of her ASD. She is more hyper and spinny than other autistic children I have met though apart from one little girl at her school (I'd never seen her without her hand held until the other day at the 'harvest festival' and she bolted and headed straight for the wires on the projector!). Obviously, my DD is very different to Josh as she's got severe learning difficulties and is at the severe (hate that word!) end of teh spectrum. I'm really sorry you are having such a hard time untangling Josh's difficulties. Bless him, it must be hard for him too as it sounds as if it's difficult for him to control his emotions. Good luck with your new baby and try and stay positive with it all- it is a rollercoaster and hopefully you'll be on an 'up' bit soon. And FWIW- my second child is a boy and does not have autism and no difficulties that we can see (although I always feel scared saying that) so keep positive about number 2. Lots of loveXXXX

Hi allie, sorry it's been so hard for you lately.
My ds has ASD but just recently we're looking at the possibility of ADHD too, although it does seem hard to diagnose in this case because much of his behaviour could be down to his ASD. His paed said he'll contact the school and ask them to fill out a checklist for ADHD and then go on from there. I too was hoping to give Ritalin a go, but his paed said that yet again we'll try the Gluten and casein free diet first. Done that a year ago, didn't make a difference, but I agreed that I'll give it another go for 6 weeks. I thought I'd mention it to you because when you do have your Paed appt he might well advise you to try your ds on this diet.

By the way allie, my ds has brown hair

Davros - I hadn't heard the theory of children with ASD being born in Aug/Sept/Oct before, but ds was born in Sept.

Anyone else's children born at this time of year?

OMG its my DD1. I am waiting for the ED. Psych to see her, and she has an appointment with her Pead. next month. Her Speech therapist noted her eye contact is very poor. I so hope we get to the bottom of this soon