Expert: Catherine Ridenour - 8/9/2007

Question
QUESTION: I have a six year old son - who to say the most is different.  He has been diagnois with ADHA.  I think he has some of the characterize of ADHA because he lies and steals and does not know how to stay focus unless it something he loves (cartoon, wresting,)  He knows everything about wresting yet can not count or know he numbers to 100, does not know all his letters, and having problems in Math  School states that he because he does not focus -- but has been on medicine for the last 6 months and still he learning did not change.  He also very focus on sexual things (parts of body)  He also have no social skills -- tell people they are ugly or scary if something is wrong.  He also hates to have his pant buckle and wears he underwear on backward -- when he gets home he takes all his clothes off except for his underwear on backwards.  Will not wear sock - if you put it on him he takes it off and walk on the back of the shoe.  He says that it feels like a bug is crawling on him when he wears it the right way.  School says he just spoil or maybe he is ODD but he is such a loving child but just have problem listen and understand what people want from him.  He has no friends because they say at school he always saying mean and impropriate things.  I having a really hard time know if I should get him a check out for asperger or is ADHD.  If you tell him something like not litterally but means something else he take it literally.  If you need anymore info jus let me know


ANSWER: Hi Barbara,

Everything you describe leads me to believe your son has an autistic spectrum disorder.

His sensitivity to clothing is a classic symptom as is his lack of social understanding and his expertise on one subject and lack of understanding of others.

I suspect he has Asperger's syndrome. This can exist along with ADHD but it is often misdiagnosed as only ADHD. He needs more than medication for attention.

Get him evaluated as soon as you can.

Best wishes,
Catherine

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I am keeping a diary of his actions since the school only has thing that pretrain to ADHD.  Do you have any more suggestion on what I should bring to his appointment with a Psyche in Sept?

Answer
Video tape. Try to get some video of how he interacts with other children. Preferably, he should not know he is being taped. Also, tape him talking about wrestling then ask him to count for you or talk about some other sport or a topic that is not his favorite.

I know the "spoiled child" label very well. People do not understand that we adapt to keep the peace. Making him wear things that send him into tantrums can be so disruptive, at home, we just let it go. One learns to pick the battles carefully. It is important for him to be properly clothed in public but no one can see whether his underwear is backward.

Good discipline is something you can still have around safety issues. Rules like no hitting or hurting others, no breaking things, no running into the street make sense. Rules about eating healthy food do too. In comparison, how he wears his underwear sounds silly. Lots of people don't wear socks. No big deal.

If you are in the United States, the school MUST have materials to evaluate for Autistic disorders. There are parent question sheets to fill out and things for teachers to rate him with. Your state department of education can give them guidance. If the schools refuse to evaluate him, contact your doctor about a medical referral. If you cannot afford this, contact your county health department. Keep knocking on doors until you get some help.

With proper diagnosis and therapy, your son can learn social skills and ways to cope with his sensitivities.

Best wishes,
Catherine