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worried about 5 yr old daughter

7 replies

lala2784 · 14/11/2011 14:31

I am not sure if this is the best place to post this, this is my 1st ever post lol

My eldest daughter is 5 years old, ive become increasingly worried about her over the last year or so. She's a bright little thing and very sweet, but there are a few things that I am unable to stop thinking about.

She has a problem with concentrating and listening. Her teachers have picked up on this, she has a tendancy to " switch off " in school. She is very clumsy and awkward. She is constantly falling over, dropping things, bumping into other children etc. She cannot sit still, she will walk around the room about 20 times whilst watching tv or playing. I have to tell her to sit down quite often. She walks on her tip toes and has done since she was a toddler, she has actually been referred for this and we are waiting for an appointment. If I tell her to walk flat, she can do it for 2 seconds then goes straight back on her toes.

She has twitches, for a few weeks she was shaking her head all the time, when asked why she would at 1st deny it, then say her brain hurts or its itchy. Now, she rubs her head on her shoulder's. Of course the children in her class have noticed and as a result she no longer wants to go to school. She also makes a sort of wheezing noise though she is perfectly healthy.

She is not doing very well in school, her teacher blames this on her lack of concentration as she is a very well spoken child, her use of language is amazing! but, she has not moved on this last year with reading or writing skills.

I am at a loss, she was always ahead of herself as a toddler and a pre-schooler but over the last year its as if she has gone backwards :( She hates school, has no friends and makes any excuse not to go !
We are a busy, loving family and i love my kids so much, I would hate to put a label on my daughter but there is something telling me something isnt right.

If anyone has any experience or knowledge in this area I would most gratefull to hear from you xx

OP posts:
lala2784 · 14/11/2011 14:49

I forgot to mention she is very repetative, she will ask me the same question about 6 times even though i keep saying the same answer ! She has also never got to the point of being dry at night, 5 days out of 7 she wets xx

OP posts:
auntyfash · 14/11/2011 14:52

When I was first worried about my ds (for similarish reasons) my first port of call was the gp who immediately referred us to the paediatrician. I think it's definitely worth seeking advice as soon as possible, so that if there is anything going on then she'll hopefully be able to access help and support.

IndigoBell · 14/11/2011 15:27

She needs to be seen by a child development paed.

There's a variety of 'labels' that could fit her (including ASD). And they will be helpful to her, you and the school.

They give you a place to start looking as to what you can do to help her.

Otherwise you're all by yourself without knowing what's wrong, why and therefore what might be the best thing to help her.

lala2784 · 14/11/2011 18:05

Thank you both :) Ive put off going to the gp because Ive always been told by family member's and her teacher last year that Im seeing things that arent there ! But, I know she needs to be seen, her dad agree's with me and after having a chat with her teacher this afternoon she's also behind us, thank you xx

OP posts:
dolfrog · 14/11/2011 18:17

lala2784

At 5 years old is a difficult age to diagnose most developmental disabilities individually, as the age of maturation is 7- 8 years of age, when children stop growing out of developmental problems. Some severe issues such as Autism ASD can diagnosed based on observed behavioral traits, or a gene deletion / duplication related set of issues can be assessed from a much younger age; such as ASD from 2 - 3 years old.
You mentioned that your DD has listening problems, which could be causes by Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) which is a listening disability or not being able to process all that you hear. Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) are now accepting GP referrals for an APD assessment from the age of 6 years of age onwards. APD can have a genetic origin so any family history of APD issues could be useful for an earlier assessment. APD can also be acquired via severe ear infections such as Otitis Media with Effusion (Glue Ear).

You do need to identify the underlying causes of the various issues you have mentioned, which could be co-morbid (co-existing) issues, so that you can understand the nature of the problems and help / support needed. So that both you and your DD advocate for her various support needs in life.

lisad123 · 14/11/2011 18:19

I agree, both my girls have autism and girls present differently with lots of SN. I would also look into dyspraxia.
GP should be able to refer to developmental pead

Moominmammacat · 24/11/2011 14:33

Have you thought of dyspraxia? Try an ed psych. Sounds v. like my dyspraxic DS was at 5. Good luck!

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