This is the only place i could think of to ask for advice.

[Shellywelly1973]

I have 5 dc. I have a ds8 who has a dx of ASD &ADHD. It was obvious from when he was 4 there was a problem. He moved to special school at 7. Ds is very rigid, has severe anxiety & challenging behaviour. This mostly is at school. I manage him ok at home & he is happiest at home.

I also have a Ds5. Ds appeared to be typical little boy. Over recent months his behaviour in school has deteriorated to the point him throwing chairs, biting staff & getting to the point this week of jumping around the classroom from table to table.

The school have refered us to Camhs. We already deal with Camhs due to ds8 ADHD. The school says ds5 behaviour is identical to Ds8behaviour when he was there. They try distraction techniques. Using support staff & giving him space to calm down.

But i don't agree. Ds5 doesn't appear as Ds8. he knows he's behaviour is unacceptable whereas Ds8still dosnt. He tells me hates school says& the work is too hard. He's deeply unhappy & i don't know how to help him. It was easier in many ways with Ds8 as i knew he needed specialized education whereas i don't know what Ds5 needs.

Maybe Im not being objective enough & he too could have ASD...i really dont know, any ideas?

His behaviour at home hasn't changed much. He's moany but other then that his usual self.

Thanks for any advice!

Sorry just to point out hes become moany/whiney in last couple months, he didn't used to be.

Bump...anyone?

I have twin sons (age 10) recently both diagnosed with Aspergers. They both have great social difficulties but also differ greatly in the way they present. ds1 has huge meltdowns and can go from calm to mega-tantrum very, very quickly. ds2 is much more of a slow bubbler - generally getting very uncooperative when he is stressed and progressing to tantrum only if he is forced to do whatever it is that is stressing him out. Both of mine are worse at school than at home although they have their moments at home too especially ds1. I guess what I am trying to say is that your second son may have an ASD even if he presents differently from your older son so is worth investigating.

Both of my boys have a diagnosis of ASD (DS1 has ADHD, too) and they couldn't possibly present more differently.

Thankyou for replying. Is it easier second time?

It's not easier. Just different. DS1 is bright and angsty and opinionated. He has occasional massive all day meltdowns, starting with lots of ranting and sometimes ending up with lots of things being thrown. DS2 has major speech and motor delays and is like a 7 year old toddler. He screeches a lot, which can be wearing and is going through a spitting and slapping phase. He also has phases of thinking clothes are optional. This is particularly irksome to DS1 who can't stand the thought of being bare and only ever takes his socks off to have a bath. DS2 is generally calmer than DS1, but has days, like today, when he'll randomly start wailing or lets out a bloodcurdling scream. DS1, being DS1, find DS2's outburts, however brief, distressing and will often end up shouting and screaming, himself, so I have it in stereo.