Sure its not AHDD but....

[Kaz33]

He definitely displays some of the characteristics of AHDD and I am interested in any thoughts on diet and behaviour issues.

He is not so much physically hyperactive but:

• is always talking
• is very sensitive to changes
• does things without thinking, very reactive
• is violent (both verbally and physically)
• is totally jealous of his little brother
• finds it difficult to concentrate on any task
• is always fiddling with things and other people (incapable of keeping his hands to himself)
• loses himself and just blanks out ( occassionally)
• spaces out in front of TV and computer. (We have just syopped all TV and computer usage for about 6 days and his behaviour has changed a bit but in some ways more hyperactive and jumping around more)
• doesn't really like to play on his own.

I think he is on the spectrum so really looking on for thoughts on what works with kids like this.
He has just completed his first year at school and seems to have done ok - comments about fidgeting and being a bit shy.

Have the school mentioned that they have had any difficulties with your ds?

Well they have said that he is very fidgety and fiddles with other children. His motor skills are not very well developed and he has some problems with mixing up his letters.

But saying that he is very young for his year and his reception teacher was very relunctant to say anything about the kids other than they all develop at their own rate.

Also have you ever tried fish oils? They don't work for all children but can really help others.

I did try fish oils but must admit did not stick with it as DS1 took a violent aversion with them. Might try them as well.

DP has taken DS2 out and I am "working" at home. I am doing an experiment as to how much he can amuse himself with out any other stimulation. so far in the hour an half he has though not talking much has just drited around but not managed to settle to any game for more than 10 minutes. He's 5. He's just drifting around looking for things to fiddle with.

My dd reacted to eye q but we have now put her on eskimo oil and it has been really good.

How old is your DD, how does she behave?

She is 7 next week.

She has a whole mixture of things, primarily adhd and asd

Before she was on her medication she was a nightmare, all over the place. Didn't ever sit still etc.

Gosh no my DS1 doesn't sound anything as bad as that, he is now sitting beside me happily drawing away (the one thing that he gets lost in). That must have been so hard for you.

However I do think DS1 behaviour does affect his relationships with his peers - already i feel some of the other mums looking at me critically. It is so hard to differentiate between your kid and your parenting skills.

Kaz ~ thanks. My daughter isn't that "bad"

Just adding to the really helpful replies you've already had from Blossomhill. We had a mis-diagnosis of ASD and ADHD with our youngest DS when he was 5. He took well to fish oil (takes Efalex capsules daily) and we took him off gluten and dairy. It made a HUGE difference.

HC ~ hope you don't mind me asking but very interested as you say your ds was misdiagnosed. Could you tell me a bit more please

sorry to jump in but where do you get Efalex capsules HC?

Oh gosh Blossomhill hope I didn't offend - one thing I have gathered from the sites is that its something which is outside our childrens control.

No dairy, gluten and fish oils capsules - did you come to this yourself or did you see a dietician/expert?

Are there any behaviour patterns/ triggers that you have noticed?

BH - certainly. DS2 found social situations very hard. Started at playgroup, when he would try and escape on a regular basis! YR at school was a nightmare, and he ended up only going in for 10 hours a week after lots of discussion with school, LEA, child psychologists, behaviour support teachers. He would sit in class and rock violenly backwards and forwards, bang his head on the floor, try and get out of school by climbing over an 8 ft fence. He didn't know how to make friends and would go up to other children and push them in the chest to initiate contact. His teacher said he did not display the ability to imagine. They said he had no sense of danger, and he would take his seatbelt off and try to get out of the moving car on the way to school. After MUCH research, we took him of gluten and dairy. After a matter of days, he had black rings round his eyes, and had a streaming nose. We also took him out of school for several months, as he was clearly terrified of the place. After several weeks his ASD symptoms had pretty much disappeared (as had his asthma, BTW!)We now know he is also severely dyslexic. He went to a different school (the first one had been unsupportive) and did really well socially. His confidence improved, and he never tried to run away! Sorry this is so long!

Efalex is available at Boots. We order online - it's expensive, but they usually have a Buy 2, Get 1 free offer.

Just googled - efalex.co.uk do mailorder

Are there any fish oil brands that are better/ more effective?

Sorry to keep popping back, not trying to hog the thread. We found this info through our own research. The NHS dietician (after we waited 4 months for an appointment) categorically stated that we should NOT take our 5 year old child off dairy foods - which seemed bizarre, as we could tell within days that he was allergic to it, without compromising his health in any way. TBH though, we have found most education and medical professionals quite unhelpful, and would have been sunk without a fantastically understanding Consultant Paediatrician.

Wow HC - what a journey you have been on.

DS1 definitely uses violence as a form of social contact. He also never seems to have much energy, never wants to do anything physical other than fight and wrestle. That on reflection does sound very dietary...

My DS1 has a very strong imagination and i think that is the one thing that has allowed him to make friends at school - it makes him very attractive.

HC ~ so did your ds ever actually get an official asd/adhd dx?

Please, HC this is very interesting

He got an official ASD DX. He got Disability Allowance, and I got carer's allowance. I had to give up my business as he had to be closely supervised 24 hours a day. He didn't sleep, would get into uncontrollable rages, had a very poor concentration span, and was unable to dress himself etc. He was a completely different child then to the one he is today.

I have just spoken to a health clinic that we use for kiniseology - they do dietary assesments through kiniseology for kids of all ages. I am going to book him in for an assessment.

Blossomhill - we have used kiniseology for back pains that both my partner and I have had. It is very impressive. I suspect it will be for kids too. Maybe that is something you could consider.

HC ~ how old is your ds now?

It's just that I have never heard of an asd dx given and not being correct. I know lots of children "don't" get dx but not the other way round iyswim.

He's 8.8 now. His symptoms were very typical of ASD before the dietary changes - and it took a while for the behaviours to change. I think this is due to him now having an appropriate diet, but he has also had to unlearn some of the behaviours. He was diagnosed at 5.5, and we finally stopped getting Disability Allowance in March this year, as he is almost symptomless now.

sounds like a bit of a "jumbled jigsaw" HC. (donna williams book about mixes of conditions). My son is still (and always will be) severely autistic, but the difference between him on and off gluten is amazing. (He headbangs enough to permanently bruise his forehead on gluten). We also found NHS dietician to be useless. Am about to see one about ds3 - so will find out whether gfcf is more mainstream 4 years later (ds3 is NT, but I suspect on gluten wouldn't be- he was beginning to be a bit of a worry before his Sunderland test).