chitcat
07-24-05, 11:24 PM
Hi,
I'm new to this forum, but have ADD/ADHD experience with my husband, step-daughter and possibly son. It was recently suggested to me by school staff that my son is ADHD, but my daughter is the one I'm more concerned about.
She was born full term, but wildly under-sized (less than 5 lbs). She spent a month in the hospital due to respiratory and heart issues which all resolved themselves. She had multiple hemangiomas that developed during her first 6 months. She also had an EXTREME "outie" belly button and had it surgically corrected at 9 months. (This had been the diagnosis by her exasperated doctors as the "cause" of her small size/condition at birth -- that the skin on her abdomen grew around the umbilical cord and restricted nutrients.)
At 8 or 9 months she had a febrile seizure due to a high fever and was hospitalized for a few hours via the emergency room.
Her fine motor skills lagged ... her eating was sloppy and her walking a little swaggy, tho she did walk at 12 months. By 18 months it was obvious that her speech was delayed and we began evaluations and therapy. During one, the doctors observed that she had an impish look with upturned nose, almond eyes and strong forehead (for the record, I think she's beautiful!).
She's now 5 and still woefully behind in her speech. She's been going to speech therapy 3-4 times a week since age 2. But her speech is only part of it. Her other "symptoms" ... I don't know if they are a direct result of her inability to express herself verbally or if they are a manifestation of something else. I've read some sites and postings on Asperger's and I'm just not sure. Wondering what you all think. Here's what she does/how she is:
Obsessed with cats/kitties. She meows and holds her hands up to her chin like paws and says "kitty" at times when she's feeling pressured or embarrassed or uncomfortable.
In general play and especially with our dogs she makes what we call "animal noises" -- a non-stop string of high pitched squeals and chirps. She seems unable to control it. I can ask her sweetly to please stop doing it and 10 seconds later she's at it again.
She is "rough" with our pets -- treating them more like toys than animals.
She sometimes hits her forehead repeatedly with her fist or palm while making her noises. This isn't non-stop and everyday, but when it happens, it's extreme. It used to be daily, but now is more like once or twice a week and she's able to stop when brought to her attention.
She sometimes strangles her stuffed animal toys and/or uses them to hit her head. Again, simultaneously with her animal noises.
She unexpectedly lashes out at kids she doesn't even know. Like if a girl in the supermarket looks and smiles at her, she'll say loudly "what?". Or at the zoo, she'll walk right up to another child and scold them for something. Bizarre.
She's ultrasensitive to loud noises -- covers her ears at things most kids can tolerate.
She started off as a very timid kid (afraid of carnival rides, people in costumes, pony rides, swimming) but has gradually worked out some of it.
Has trouble playing with peers. Tends to be a loner.
Is overly impressionable/prone to crushes with older boys that she encounters in day care settings.
She's not overly affectionate (or even mildly affectionate, for that matter) with humans -- including me and her dad -- but she is with her stuffed animals. Her older brother hugs and kisses but she will turn her cheek to allow us to kiss her instead of truly offering a kiss.
She has an overwhelming sweet tooth, but also readily eats her veggies and loves all things pickled and tart. She LOVES tomatoes and tomato juice.
She's lean and muscular.
She's very fair skinned with surface/visible veins along her chest and arms.
Even with her verbal delay, she is bright and does well with academics. Her reading and spelling are right where they should be.
She was potty trained at 2 years, but still wears pull-ups at night and wakes up wet over 50% of the time. On a recent trip and on other occasions where her schedule has been upset, she's had peeing accidents during the day.
She continues to have some fine motor issues, mostly with her mouth (ie, speech) that includes messy eating for her age and poor teeth brushing habits.
Over all, she's a happy and creative girl. She loves to swing and draw and can wake up and quietly look at books alone for an hour without bothering anyone. She dresses herself with intense attention to matching her colors. And she LOVES music and has very definite tastes. I have to skip songs on the CD to get to the ones she likes.
I know this was long and sorry if I over-did it on the symptoms, but I didn't want to miss something that might be significant to you who are "in the know".
thx!
I'm new to this forum, but have ADD/ADHD experience with my husband, step-daughter and possibly son. It was recently suggested to me by school staff that my son is ADHD, but my daughter is the one I'm more concerned about.
She was born full term, but wildly under-sized (less than 5 lbs). She spent a month in the hospital due to respiratory and heart issues which all resolved themselves. She had multiple hemangiomas that developed during her first 6 months. She also had an EXTREME "outie" belly button and had it surgically corrected at 9 months. (This had been the diagnosis by her exasperated doctors as the "cause" of her small size/condition at birth -- that the skin on her abdomen grew around the umbilical cord and restricted nutrients.)
At 8 or 9 months she had a febrile seizure due to a high fever and was hospitalized for a few hours via the emergency room.
Her fine motor skills lagged ... her eating was sloppy and her walking a little swaggy, tho she did walk at 12 months. By 18 months it was obvious that her speech was delayed and we began evaluations and therapy. During one, the doctors observed that she had an impish look with upturned nose, almond eyes and strong forehead (for the record, I think she's beautiful!).
She's now 5 and still woefully behind in her speech. She's been going to speech therapy 3-4 times a week since age 2. But her speech is only part of it. Her other "symptoms" ... I don't know if they are a direct result of her inability to express herself verbally or if they are a manifestation of something else. I've read some sites and postings on Asperger's and I'm just not sure. Wondering what you all think. Here's what she does/how she is:
Obsessed with cats/kitties. She meows and holds her hands up to her chin like paws and says "kitty" at times when she's feeling pressured or embarrassed or uncomfortable.
In general play and especially with our dogs she makes what we call "animal noises" -- a non-stop string of high pitched squeals and chirps. She seems unable to control it. I can ask her sweetly to please stop doing it and 10 seconds later she's at it again.
She is "rough" with our pets -- treating them more like toys than animals.
She sometimes hits her forehead repeatedly with her fist or palm while making her noises. This isn't non-stop and everyday, but when it happens, it's extreme. It used to be daily, but now is more like once or twice a week and she's able to stop when brought to her attention.
She sometimes strangles her stuffed animal toys and/or uses them to hit her head. Again, simultaneously with her animal noises.
She unexpectedly lashes out at kids she doesn't even know. Like if a girl in the supermarket looks and smiles at her, she'll say loudly "what?". Or at the zoo, she'll walk right up to another child and scold them for something. Bizarre.
She's ultrasensitive to loud noises -- covers her ears at things most kids can tolerate.
She started off as a very timid kid (afraid of carnival rides, people in costumes, pony rides, swimming) but has gradually worked out some of it.
Has trouble playing with peers. Tends to be a loner.
Is overly impressionable/prone to crushes with older boys that she encounters in day care settings.
She's not overly affectionate (or even mildly affectionate, for that matter) with humans -- including me and her dad -- but she is with her stuffed animals. Her older brother hugs and kisses but she will turn her cheek to allow us to kiss her instead of truly offering a kiss.
She has an overwhelming sweet tooth, but also readily eats her veggies and loves all things pickled and tart. She LOVES tomatoes and tomato juice.
She's lean and muscular.
She's very fair skinned with surface/visible veins along her chest and arms.
Even with her verbal delay, she is bright and does well with academics. Her reading and spelling are right where they should be.
She was potty trained at 2 years, but still wears pull-ups at night and wakes up wet over 50% of the time. On a recent trip and on other occasions where her schedule has been upset, she's had peeing accidents during the day.
She continues to have some fine motor issues, mostly with her mouth (ie, speech) that includes messy eating for her age and poor teeth brushing habits.
Over all, she's a happy and creative girl. She loves to swing and draw and can wake up and quietly look at books alone for an hour without bothering anyone. She dresses herself with intense attention to matching her colors. And she LOVES music and has very definite tastes. I have to skip songs on the CD to get to the ones she likes.
I know this was long and sorry if I over-did it on the symptoms, but I didn't want to miss something that might be significant to you who are "in the know".
thx!