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Original poster

Autism or ADHD or both?

45 replies

Lesley25 · 28/10/2013 08:59

I think my DC is showing signs of ADHD.

My child has been diagnosed at 3 with autism due to lack of speech, no gestures and lack of social and imaginative play and sensory issues - i don't disagree that this is the right diagnosis.

However with my DC's lack of ability to focus, hyperactivity - never stands still, always running, moving, the TA cannot seem to get my child to focus and thus teach (latest feedback at statement review) i'm beginning to wonder..

i've asked my pead for an urgent apt to discuss but i just wanted other mums opinions and signs to watch out for.
Has your child been diagnosed with both?
And if so, would medication help the focus problem at school?

OP posts:
Original poster
Lesley25 · 28/10/2013 08:59

sorry i forgot to say, my DC has just turned 5

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sickofsocalledexperts · 28/10/2013 09:26

My DS is hyperactive autistic, though they ruled out ADHD.

The only thing that got him, little by little, learning to sit still enough to learn was ABA - short bursts of work, well-rewarded, gradually building up from 1 min to (now) a good hour.

PolterGoose · 28/10/2013 09:54

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Original poster
Lesley25 · 28/10/2013 13:20

Hi Polter, I have a brilliant OT who diagnosed SPD. However the school will not let her train the TA in some effective integration exercises as "they have their own asd specialist" who is not even sensory trained by her own admission but they're deliberately making it difficult so i take my child out of their school
I'm appealing my statement so the OT will have to be on there. It will be months before this though.

We do exercises at home, but for focused educational work we really need to do them at school. Yet the HT refuses even though im willing to pay for it...
Sad

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PolterGoose · 28/10/2013 13:53

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Original poster
Lesley25 · 28/10/2013 14:07

sorry Polter, i don't know what a Move n' Sit is.
The thing is i feel like i have to be careful not to piss irritate TH too much because i'm putting my speech therapist into school 2x a week to assist the TA with verbal strategies, so i can't rock the boat too much.

Its so fucking annoying. I'm financially bankrupting myself to afford intervention, and then they say no.
The Ed Psy's report will be here in about a month and i'm sure it will pick the sensory aspect up so maybe they will listen at a december meeting.

Im right in assuming if i win tribunal with my statement (and all SPLT/OT) is in there, then the school WILL have to fund (?) or at least allow this.

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Original poster
Lesley25 · 28/10/2013 14:18

Polter, I've just seen what a move n' sit is and ordered a junior one from amazon- i'll try it- and i don't think the TA will object to me asking her to use this cushion.

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PolterGoose · 28/10/2013 14:19

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Ineedmorepatience · 28/10/2013 14:39

Once again... I agree with polter Grin (I am in the poltergoose fan club)

My Dd3 has a dx of Asd and Spd, she literally never stops moving, she is constantly seeking feedback from the world around her. She figits, rocks, touches, fiddles etc etc.

How ever I dont believe she is hyperactive. Actually I tell teachers that if she is fidgitting (sp) she is more than likely listening. If she is still the she has probably switched off and either gone to sleep or gone into her own world.

The day we bought a move n sit cushion was the first time I had ever seen her sit still enough to eat a meal at the table without coating herself in food. Very impressive piece of kit, well worth the money.

As for school, well thats anothet battle, you wouldnt believe how many people on here are fighting battles with schools or LA's

Good luck Smile

osospecial · 28/10/2013 14:48

Hi Lesley
My dd is 4 and I've often wondered the same thing, she has dx of asd but I've seen posts on here from people saying their dc has adhd and asd and have wondered if this might be the case with dd. She has seen OT though who says she is sensory seeking, seeking movement etc so its hard to tell if its that causing her lack of concentration and constant moving etc or if she has some hyperactiveness on top. Sorry no helpfull advice but have been wondering the same and so watching your thread with interest.

Like sickof said, I also find aba good with my dd, working in short sessions and well rewarded.

osospecial · 28/10/2013 14:53

Do school use something like 'I'm working for' chart? Dd has one in school and has to earn 3 'tokens' (do 3 tasks) to get time on the big bouncy ball (or another reinforcer that she enjoys)

PolterGoose · 28/10/2013 15:11

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Original poster
Lesley25 · 28/10/2013 15:51

You see, my dc is also diagnosed as a sensory seeker - and i agree with Ineed the concentration is there when dc is fidgeting and less so when dc drifts off and unreachable.

..i'm looking forward to receiving this cushion now.
Thanks everyone.

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osospecial · 28/10/2013 17:05

Sorry just seen ineeds post, didn't see it before posting, my dd sounds similar to that, always moving, she used to have a weighted lap pad for school but didn't really take to it so think ill look at the cushion later as well. Hope it helps with your DC Lesley

osospecial · 28/10/2013 17:17

Can I just ask, if anyone is still around, do you have any similar ideas/tips for bedtime please?

osospecial · 28/10/2013 17:17

Can I just ask, if anyone is still around, do you have any similar ideas/tips for bedtime please?

osospecial · 28/10/2013 17:18

Can I just ask, if anyone is still around, do you have any similar ideas/tips for bedtime please?

osospecial · 28/10/2013 17:18

Can I just ask, if anyone is still around, do you have any similar ideas/tips for bedtime please?

Original poster
Lesley25 · 28/10/2013 17:30

i tried a weighted blanket - didn't work but what does is blackut blinds and a double curtain- completely block out the light. No fuss in the bedroom, i mean no books toys anything. cream walls and a wardrobe and thats it.
Also leggings as pyjames for bedtime and a top- i think it helps because its tight around the body and also smooth bed linen. i know it sounds daft saying it out loud but for a non verbal child who cannot communicate bedtime issues - i found these helped enormously

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osospecial · 28/10/2013 17:58

Sorry for the multiple postings, on my phone and its being really slow+playing up! Thanks lesley, dd is also has speech issues and can't communicate how she feels so its hard to work it out sometimes. We have blackout blinds but I do have lots of toys/books in her bedroom, will try the leggins too. Some nights are fine and others she just can't seem to relax and wind down, tapping feet, tapping the wall, babbling non stop, it can go on ages, up to 2hrs sometimes, even when I know she's tired, she can't seem to help it.

Ineedmorepatience · 28/10/2013 18:31

Dd3 has lots of trouble settling off to sleep when she is stressed or over stimulated. We have recently borroweda weighted blanket which she loves and does seem to help her calm. They are very expensive though but we have been lucky enough to just get DLA so I spent some of that on one.

Dd3 likes to be warm in bed and she needs a light on to settle.

Every child is different but I would definitely try low voices, low light and few toys at bedtime.

Good luck Smile

Original poster
Lesley25 · 28/10/2013 18:49

osospecial, i also know of mums whose children are on the spectrum and were prescribed melatonin. its not for every child but i believe its mostly used as a last resort after years of children not falling asleep for HOURS. it helps with getting children to sleep but doesn't help with keeping them asleep.

Its widely believed that this hormone is deficient in children on the spectrum and as a result works very well at getting them to sleep- just like i said not keeping them asleep.

I know mums who swear by it and it changed their family life.

Unfortuntely my problem was mostly bad habit and it was keeping DC asleep rather then getting them to sleep that was our probem.

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osospecial · 28/10/2013 18:56

Thanks ineed, dd sometimes puts my arm over her waist while lying down and pushes it down so that I apply pressure if that makes sense, so I gave her an old wheat bag I had as its full of those polly pellets and she can drape it over her stomach, this helps a bit but she has been worse this last week, I think maybe she is overstimulated, I have a few new things to try anyway thanks both

devilinside · 28/10/2013 19:15

My son has ASD, and I'm convinced he also has ADHD, He is hyper all of the time, and as he gets more verbal, as soon as he gets bored (after about 2 seconds)He starts clowning around and trying to make others laugh. Ed Psych says it's part of the ASD, but I am not convinced.

osospecial · 28/10/2013 20:11

Hi devil, I think it is possible to have both, I'm sure I have seen people post on this board before who have DC with both. I think if there are sensory issues, being undersensitive to stuff it looks a lot like hyperactiveness and its confusing but clowning around to make other people laugh doesn't seem like sensory seeking to me. Has he seen an occupational therapist? Have you asked the paediatrician? They probably know more than ed psyc about it.