More Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) Answers
Question Library
Ask a question about Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
Volunteer
Experts of the Month
Expert Login
Awards
About Us
Tell friends
Link to Us
Disclaimer
|
| |
|
|
| |
| | | |
About 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.
| | |
| |
You are here: Experts > Parenting/Family > Parenting Special Needs > Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) > Autism and ADD
Expert: Christine D. DeLoatch, MA CCC-SLP - 10/31/2009
Question
Dear Doctor,
My son is 3 years and 3 months old. He started Preschool this past September, but after only a week his teacher asked me to keep him home until we can get an educational assistant for him because she thinks he might be Autistic or have Aspergers.
I am a very firm believer in instinct, and don't believe for a second that he has either of these. I'm more inclined to think he might have AD/HD, and here is why...
His symptoms:
Loves traines, cars and busses, but he plays with the whole toy instead of fixating on one particular part of the toy.
He has trouble potty training
He has a speech delay
He will sometimes ignore you
He'll line his cars up next to each other, but once they're all lined up he finds something else to play with.
He has good eye contact
He knows the entire alphabet, can count to 30, and backwards from 10.
He loves it when we read books, and is showing an interest in learning to read.
He loves being with other children, but has a hard time making friends, which I assume is due to the fact that he has a speech delay. For the most part he runs around with other children, and gets VERY excited when they play with him.
He uses 2 word phrases, and sometimes 3.
He runs around in circles, but again, we live in an apartment and do not have enough space for him to run anywhere else but in the living room. When we take him for walks he'll run like normal children do, and sometimes he'll play games with us and we have to chase him around trees. He'll stop to look at flowers and other stuff lying around, but then carries on running and laughing.
Due to the teachers concerns we went to see our family doctor, who then referred us to a pediatrician. Before we could go see that doctor the teacher initiated another appointment with a different ped. My son is now on a waiting list for an Autism assessment.
He has also seen a speech therapist this past week, and it seems that the tips she gave me is working. She also said that it might be Aspergers or Autism, however, I don't think her opinion carries much water.
My concern is that everybody is pushing for us to believe that it could be Autism or Aspergers, and nobody seems to be paying any attention to the fact that I (probably) have ADD. Before I got pregnant I was on Dexedrine, and finally it was quiet in my head. I could function normally. Now that I'm not taking it anymore, it's as though all those tv's have been turned on again.
Do you think it might be AD/HD? Is the Autism/Aspergers really a better fit? He's such a lovely boy, and he never seems to be in his own world. My gut instinct just doesn't agree with what they are telling me. Maybe they don't know all the details? I answer all their questions truthfully, but it's as though they're asking me Autism specific questions.
Your opinion will be GREATLY appreciated!
Answer
Dear Linda,
Thanks for asking me your questions. First let me say that, I am a speech therapist also, I am not a doctor.
Let me tell you some of what has the teacher and speech therapist concerned about autism spectrum disorders.
Lining up of toys - this is very common for kids on the spectrum.
It is a little advanced for a child of 3 to know how to count backwards, but it us not unusual for some kids on the autism spectrum to take a real liking to letters and numbers and read and work with numbers faster than other kids.
Trouble potty training and speech delays are common in autism spectrum disorders.
Autism is disorder of communication and socialization.
Think about what yours son was like between 15 months and now.
Did he/does he do any toe walking?
Did he/does he stare at spinning objects?
Did he/does he like to make things spin?
Did he/does he like objects that are really not toys, like combs, batteries, tools?
Did he/does he have any sensory issues like being a very picky eater?
Did he/does he point to things?
Did he/does he bring you things to show you?
Did he/does he take your hand to take you to things or make you pick up something?
Did he/does he make sounds over and over again?
When he talks, does he wait for you to say something back?
Does your son seem to show empathy? - pat someone if they are crying?
How well does he follow commands?
Has he been in therapy for his speech delay?
Did he ever talk some and then stop talking?
Does he ever start games with you - like patty-cake?
The answers to these questions may give you a better indication about whether or not your son seems like his is fitting on the spectrum. Also, some kids have some signs of autism, but not all of them. We say these kids have Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD-NOS).
It is not a bad idea to rule it in or rule it out at this stage of the game. Just be informed. It is not uncommon to see mothers with ADD, have children on the autism spectrum, so that by itself doesn't mean that he is more likely to have ADD.
With more and more children getting a diagnosis of autism, I'm sure they just want to be through. Most children at 3 don't really 'make friends.' I wouldn't be concerned about that.
The only way to rule out Autism is to ask the questions that are specific to that condition. Try not to take it personally. Most professionals just want to be helpful. You may need to let them know how you are feeling, though. You have every right to go more slowly if you need to. If you feel railroaded, then you are not going to be able to follow through with their recommendations, because you are not going to trust them. You need to feel that the professionals are part of your team and that you are part of the team - not that you are against one another.
Feel free to answer the questions and send them back to me so I can give you more feed-back.
You are very brave to look into this area. I know that what you really want is for your son to be able to learn and benefit from relationships. Sometimes that means more courage than we anticipated. Whatever condition he may or may not have, he is still your beautiful son, and you will always be his first and best teacher, because you knew him first, and you are his Mom.
You may want to look at a site called do2learn.com. It may give you a better understanding of some of the conditions the team is looking at.
Many Blessings to you.
Christine
Add to this Answer Ask a Question
|
|
