Expert: James Michael Roan - 7/17/2009

Question
Hi james:

My child has bee Dx with PDD/ADHD.  I am having a difficult time disciplining him.  Need some tips.  I have also a problem every morning getting him to brush his teeth.  I have to struggle every morning to the point of holding him down.  I spoke to him this morning After I broke out in tears and asked why he acted this way.  He said I am sorry and explained to me that in the morning he feels tired and does'n want to be bothered. Is there any literature or movie so I can get him to brush his teeth withour a figh?

Answer
Hi Patricia;

Generally, children with PDD-NOS have sensory issues leading to them to become distressed over hair cutting, clothing tags, tooth brushing, etc. The best thing to do is to join an Asperger's syndrome list serve where parents share effective interventions and ideas. I'm sorry, I know of no reasonably quick fixes. These children eventually are able to tolerate these things.

Kind regards,
James


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Bio

James Roan is a certified school psychologist who has been consulting in the areas of autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, and learning difficulties in the United States and in Ireland for over ten years (http://www.jamesroan.com). James earned his M.Ed. in School Psychology and M. Ed. in Adult Education and receives ongoing post graduate training in autism at the University of Washington’s Autism Center. James Roan has traveled to Galway, Limerick, Mayo, Clare, Dublin, Cork, Waterford, and other cities and counties across Ireland assessing children and adults, and consulting with solicitors (lawyers) in defense of children with disabilities. James Roan was the consulting assessment professional responsible for many of the autism and AD/HD screening tools and other content for Access Special Needs.Com. James Roan consulted with the graduate department of the Waterford Institute of Technology in Waterford Ireland in the development of their graduate program for the certification of private autism tutors. James has conducted formal assessments of students in the Autism Unit in the Claddagh National School in County Galway Ireland.