Unsure of where to turn too...

[snowdrop16]

My four year old has a movement disorder. He has had this since he was 9 months old. He takes medication for this. For the past 6 months he has been extremely light sensitive. The light hurts his eyes and he cries when it's bright. He had eyes tested all fine. GP was not concerned either. He is an extremely poor eater. Only eats selected snacks. Will not try new foods. Gags cries and becomes hysterical. Eats no hot meals really except nuggets and plain pasta. (Please believe me I've tried everything) The health visitor said it's fine as he isn't starving. He is very emotional. Doesn't like taking it in turns with children. He also is the worst sleeper. Takes up to two hours most evenings to get him to sleep and then he is up early in the mornings. We've tried so many things to help with sleep too. Are these things all just common toddler traits or am I missing something here? Nursery staff aren't concern about autism as they say he communicates and plays with other children. I'm unsure who to turn too...

Have they found a cause for your sons movement disorder?
are you seeing a paediatrician or visiting child development centre regularly
does his medication need to be reviewed?
are you concerned about autism what your describing do sound like the sensory traits you would associate with autism including the sleep issues

Thank you for replying. No cause for the movement disorder. We see a neurologist regularly and are due to see him soon. His medication is reviewed regularly and hasn't changed since he has been on it. When we saw our speech and language therapist she said she didn't think he was autistic as he plays with other children. I was more concerned about things such as ADHD but I'm unsure who to talk to about my concerns.

I would speak to the GP and neurologist.

It is worth trying sunglasses if you haven’t already, some find them help. Has DS had a sensory OT assessment? The light aversion may be a sensory difference. The food issues too. Have a look at ARFID. You can request a referral about DS’s eating difficulties. Have you tried medications to aid sleep and has DS been seen in a sleep clinic?

What support is the nursery providing?

The nursery were the ones who referred us to the speech and language as he struggles to pronounce his words correctly even though he did before. It's hard to sometimes understand what he is saying. They also said they didn't think it was signs of autism as he isn't scared to make new friends. They do however say he struggles to sit down and does not listen. We saw the GP who referred us to a dietician but they have said it can be over 14 months as they're so backlogged. I will go back to the Gp and express my concerns again. We haven't tried any sleep medication as he takes Clonazepam before bed and this has a sedative effect. Thank you for the advice 😊

I would look at trying medication to aid sleep. Some take Clonazepam and something else.

If DS is losing weight/not putting enough weight on &/or has any nutritional deficiencies I would ask the GP to make an urgent referral to dietetics and also to paeds.

What support is the nursery providing day to day? For example, are they doing anything to help with sensory needs? Has an EHCNA request been made? If not, you should request one yourself. On their website IPSEA has a model letter.

It would be worth mentioning the change in speech and the aversion to light to your neurologist when you next see them in case this is related to his movement disorder and they can do further investigations for you
i would second a referral to paediatrician for his sensory differences and dietitian
Try not to worry yourself too much with trying to get him to eat different things and sleep more the more different things you try the more stressful it is for both of you