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Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)/How to get my kid to sit in his playschool?

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Expert: Christine D. DeLoatch, MA CCC-SLP - 3/3/2008


Question
Hi, My two year old son has been diagnosed with ADHD with Autistic features. He is going to a regular playschool now and unlike other kids he is refusing to sit down in the class. He does not like the slide much nor does he enjoy the other physical play things. He always wants to hold something in one hand and does not let go of the object. And this is one reason why he cannot enjoy the slide or the swing, he just cannot use both his hands. He just likes to go around the place and plays with stackers for a short while. How do I get him to sit in class with the other children? Once he is done with his rounds he starts crying that he wants to go home.

Answer
Dear Saratha,

Thank you for asking me your question.  I think that your best option would be to consult with a Occupational therapist.  An occupational therapist can help work on your son's sensory issues - like not wanting to sit on his bottom or at all.  He or she could also work on having your son hold and manipulate a variety of pre-school related things like working puzzles, blocks, legos and playing on equipment.  Some occupational therapists in the US will even go out to daycares and and work with the children there, and also teach teachers how to help your son better.  

If you are not in the US, and you don't know how to contact an occupational therapist, please let me know and I will see what I can do to help you.  

Many blessings to you.  Please remember to really educate yourself about both of the conditions of autism and ADHD.  A good starting place is do2learn.com.  

Christine

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)

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Christine D. DeLoatch, MA CCC-SLP

Expertise

My expertise is both personal and professional. I am an adult with Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder, and I am an ASHA certified Speech-language pathologist. I worked in the school system, giving direct theraputic servies to children with both language difficulties and attention deficit disorder. (I am very familiar with the IEP process and the IDEA.)I have consulted on-line, in person and via the telephone with a number of parents of children with ADD.

Experience

My area of expertise lies in my holistic approach to ADD and other similar neurologically-based conditions including Non-verbal learning disorders. I am a researcher of medical treatments, studies regarding concrete documentation of the geographical differences in the "ADD" brain (PET scans, SPECT scans, etc.) herbal treatments, functional organizational strategies for children and adults (stuff that'll get you through the day; sensory techniques for relaxation and stress relief; and organizational tools - from the technological to the home-grown type. I am also a researcher of other conditions that are frequently co-existing with ADD. I have read extensively about women's issues and am an empathetic individal who would like to share strength, hope, experience and education.

Organizations
I hold a Certificate of Clinical Competency issued by the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association.

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