Can anyone give me some advice on ADHD(?) please.

[Dingle]

As some of you know my DD,Amelia who is 4 has Down Syndrome. I am hoping that I am just being paranoid but I have my concerns that her problems could be deeper than that.

I know there is a higher percentage of children with DS that also have AS over the percentages of the general population and I suppose that is playing on my mind. I have caught her lining up toys a few times, and alarm bells rang then I found her sitting at the front of all the lines up teddies pretending to drive a train. She loves doors and will keep opening and shutting them. Silly things, but after reading a bit of info, the worries have just stuck in my brain.

Amelia saw the paediatrician recently and I mentioned my concerns. She said she wouldn't worry didn't think there was much chance of AS as her communication skill were fairly good for a child with DS. Although she still isn't clear, she attempts vocally, signs and has good eye contact. ADHD was mentioned but we got sidetracked and I never got a chance to ask about it.
Amelia is always on the go. Touching things, has sensory issues...are these all down to her having DS or is there anything else I need to address.

I have thought about her diet, concentration, ways to manage her behaviour. A lot of these issues don't seem to be a problem at nursery, but she pushes out all stops to get my undidvided attention at home.

Sorry for such a long rambling post!But any advice would be much appreciated.

I think the thing about her sitting at the front of the teddies pretending to drive a train is a v. good sign. And the door opening and shutting thing - a lot of kids do that around 2 - it might be she is just reaching this stage but more delayed getting there because of the DS.

Anyway bumping this up for you to get some more advice.

Do you mean ASD rather than AS? Either way, I would also say that pretending to drive the train is excellent, something my DS would NEVER do. I have friends whose son has DS and ASD and they said they had no trouble getting a dx which surprised me.

Davros,sorry, only just seen your reply. PLease excuse my ignorance but I am now so confused with all the different labels!

I suppose my main concern is just how "different" Amelia is from most of the other children we see who have DS! For example at a group DS SALT session-The majority will happily sit and wait to be prompted. Amelia will get bored, lose interest, answer when it's the others childrens turns, get up and find her own stimulation and have to be encouraged back to the group.

I don't know if it's just a lack of concentration, she seems to cope with the session itself and her SN and Mainstream nurseried don't have any issues either.

Is she just being a little madam and playing her mum up, like many children do or do I need to be addressing other issues.

I am trying to change out eating habits and as yet Amelia isn't on any supplements.

Out of interest I wondered how hard it would be to have a dual DX actually diagnosed!

I have just seen another thread and printed off the dirty dozen list!! At least it will be a start.

Any other advice re; diet/supplements would be appreciated too. TIA.

love Dingle.

I think many many children with learning difficulties have aspects of autistic type behaviour- whether because of poor language skills, attention deficits, similar sensory problems or whatever. In a minority of cases these will be clearly defined enough to warrant an extra diagnosis. In terms of helping her it can be useful to look at the techniques used with children with ASD as these may work well with her (whether or not she has the tendencies- they work well with my normally developing ds2), but also because many chidren with DS do respond well to visual timetables etc.

I wouldn't worry too much about special diets. If your dd does have an ASD as well, it will be because of her DS and her learning difficulties not because of gut damage. Having said that I know someone who has a son with DS and she has said that many children with DS do have a coeliac type sesitivity to gluten (so not the same problem as leaky gut that you sometimes find in children/adults with ASD), and that they can often benefit from a trial of a gluten free diet.

Dingle a friend of mine whose son has DS has just received a diagnosis for autism. TBH he is very severe though. Infact the autism is far more obvious than anything else.
He is 9 and she is devastated poor love. It's funny but the autism has only just become really apparent in the past 3 years.
Doesn't sound at all like your dd btw!
The train driver is a great thing too

Just wanted to add that we had a lot of dealings with these people here and found them very helpful, especially with regards to diet.