I am new to this site. I have a 4 1/2 yo DS that is DX with ADHD and ODD. I have an instinct that there is more going on than what he is DX with.

I have been doing tons of research and we are seeing his doc again on January 12th. In my gut I think he has a form of Autism. I have no idea how to go about this. He is severly delayed in speech and language (tests at 2 1/2 yo level) and making no progress in speech therapy. His social skills are beyond a mess, he never makes eye contact or even bothers to anwser people when he is spoken to. It is like he doesn't even acknowledge that they are talking. He has no friends his own age, and has no desire to. He memorizes movies, not just a line, the whole movie, word for word, with the approiate actions. His math skills are at a 7 1/2 yo level. I can give a list a mile long.

I want to discuss this with the doctor, but I do not know what kinds of questions to ask or what kind of testing can be done. If anyone else has dealt with this before I would appriciate any advice you have to give. Thanks so much...QF

check out the stuff here and elsewhere on Asperger's...

you sound observant.

Keep in mind that doctors just prescribe drugs for disorders such as your son's. Drugs only control the symptoms (at best) while the REAL causes are left untreated. If I were you, I would start him on Omega-3 fatty acids, just in case he has dyspraxia. Read "The LCP Solution" by B. Jacqueline Stordy (available at Barnes & Noble). Does he have asthma, eczema, visual acuity problems, ADD? Those problems can ALL be signs of a serious deficiency of Omega 3s. In fact, I would buy the Omega 3s and start giving them to him today. All the Omega-3s in the studies were a product called "Efalex" available at GNC or Rite-Aid, although I can't seem to find them there any more. Maybe you could look for another brand - make sure they're half tuna oil and half evening primrose oil. The studies all used 8 Efalex gelcaps for 3 months but that was for adults. Also, and this is very important: read books by Dr. Abrahm Hoffer. He's world-famous in the field of mental illnesses caused by biochemical imbalances. He knows his stuff and has written many books. He's an expert on a biochemical imbalance which causes ADHD, schizophrenia & bipolar called "pyroluria." A urine test will prove whether or not your son has it. Also, look into the Pfeiffer Center in Warrenville, Ilinois or the Bio-Center in Wichita, Kansas. All these people and places cure mental disorders instead of just covering them up with drugs. Feel free to email me privately for more info.

If you're looking at Autism it's best to get to it sooner rather than later (son got dx at 8 so we missed the early intervention programme).

This is my advice - be prepared to do some serious research (internet, library, autism association). Then document against each of the criteria exactly what behaviours your child exhibits to warrant further investigation by a doctor specialising in autism.

I agree with tudorose about doing some research. If you have a gut feeling that the docs have missed something, don't let the matter drop. From your description, it sounds like a more thorough evaluation is in order. By now you've probably spoken with his doctor... have you gotten any answers yet?