Hi,
My DD, 4 this July, was reffered to see a paediatrician last year by her nursery school teacher as it was felt that there were some problems with communication, concentration etc. Teacher was even considering immediate referral to EP at the time as issues in school were so bad. The teacher suggested dyspraxia but we saw a physiotherapist who assessed DD and said that what she saw during the assessment didn't correspond with a diagnosis of dyspraxia. Nursery teacher was shocked as she felt this was the most possible answer. Teacher an TA's have been amazing since the start with DD, supportive and more.
This morning we saw a very experienced Paed, who has worked in this sector for plus 30 years, I'd say. She spent an hour with my DD, observing her and speaking to me and at the end of the appointment she said that although she didn't normally diagnose on a first appointment, that she felt my DD possibly was somewhere on the AS. DD really was at her finest during the appointment, asking 'why?' constantly, trying to negotiate any 'no's' that she was told, going from one activity to another, not concentrating, not answering any question, lolling all over the place, saying she felt ill constantly pushing chairs over etc I showed her a video school had taken which demonstrated her lack of communication and ability to socialise. So, the norm for her over a day, but in one room, all of it crammed into an hour. Paed said she would send one of her nurses into school in order to observe DD as someone who doesn't know DD to give a more balanced view. Paed also said that at the next appointment that she would be looking into dyspraxia more s the physio report hadn't considered any co-ordination issues.
Spoke to my DD's teacher after the appointment and she was VERY shocked, as were TA's, that the paed has suggested this. Both nursery teacher and paed have the upmost, mutual respect for each other, as they are often in contact over other children. Teacher said that she didn't think this was the case, TA's agreed. However, they agreed that a diagnosis of something would be good in order to ensure continued help for DD into reception. I'm stunned. I thought that school would agree and i'm now worried that now it seems we are finally getting somewhere that school are going to throw a bit of a spanner into the works... They do not think that DD is on the AS although they say that they recognise that she MAY have some minor traits.
Some of DD's behaviours are:
Lack of social interaction with other children in her peer group - apart from her two older siblings.
Doesn't like having her teeth or hair brushed, she often cries.
Obsessed over illness, bad throat, tummy, head every day. Watches Get well soon on Cbeebies obsessively.
Likes one certain food - pasta, and asks for it all day.
Often refuses to walk anywhere, unfortunately if I don't have her buggy it means that I have to drag her which although I hate doing I have to as she weighs four stones in weight and is the same height as a 6/7 year old.
She will lie down on the floor or loll around on furniture. If we're out in public she often refuses to move.
Cries a lot.
Runs away from me, I scream after her but she will not stop. Sometimes she runs into the road - she has no sense of the danger of a lot of things, although not all.
Doesn't play with anything for very long. Her concentration is very poor.
Struggles to follow instructions - she normally has to be asked and prompted several times.
Holds her self from going to the toilet. Generally will only wee around twice a day. When out for the day I have to force her to go, which is often accompanied by screaming and crying.
She will argue with me - today at paeds appointment, she wanted to go up on the high examination bed but I said no and she asked consistently within the time we were there and kept asking why?
Gives the funniest facial expressions and eye movements.
Life is generally a struggle. I cannot take DD out on my own often as I end up getting upset when she won't move/runs away/won't play.
However, for all of this she is the most loving little girl. She has a good relationship with her family and communicates this well. She gets on well with adults, but due to her funny and comical little ways they often just laugh with her instead of trying to direct her towards the correct way in which to do things.
Paed said she only diagnoses if she feels that it will help a child at school and in life etc. School agreed today that my DD will struggle in reception without some level of 1-2-1.
I'm not quite sure where we are heading now to be honest and would just really value some advice on the whole situation.