Confused and dazed (Pdd-Nos & ADHD) (teaching, autism, games, parents)

[noyha]

I just finished meeting a pediatric neuro-developmental physician that I have made an appointment trying to figure out if there is somethings else that my son might have problem. He was diagnosis by school appointed neuro-developmental physicians as having mild form of Autism Pdd-Nos. He has been improving over the spring and the Summer, but lately it has abruptly changed in his behavior and attitude although I know he is only 5 years old. So I made this appointment thinking it might more be SPD. Sensory Processing Disorder since he has trouble time adjusting to large group and have a lot of system of it. He is high function according to private and school OT, PT, last physicians and others.

However, today's physicians just diagnosed him ADHD, and adviced that we go to small setting (changing the environment). One on one teaching and medication. We are very worried about giving him medication since the medication suppose to slow his appetite and growth. In addition, He said the side effect also includes headache and stomach pain. Is it really worth it. I wonder why this much of the difference. Which is better? Really? It is frustration. He did said not to have him see any violence games or tv. Even Mario Bros (His favorite). Boy!


I do know that last week he have behavior issue, and he does not want to go to school ( dislike or afraid of the teacher: Not clear). Please help and advise!

[JustJulia]

It's completely between you and your doctor whether to medicate your son or what to give him, but not all kids experience side effects. My son does not. He is sleeping and growing fine, and lately he has been eating a lot. Some parents choose not to medicate their children, and that is fine too.

You sound hesitant about what these doctors have told you. What kind of tests did they give your son? How long did they observe him? If you are not comfortable with his diagnosis, you should go to a different doctor. You might go to the New Jersey board and ask for referrals from the posters there, because they will know your area very well. If your son does not have ADHD, you should NOT medicate him. The medicine will make him worse.

[noyha]

The reason I am hesitant is that we are not sure about medication especially since he is 5 years old, and there is a lot of mix characteristic that it is often hard to pinpoint. The school referral physicians spend roughly 2 hours. We were there 11:00 and left at 1 pm. He spend time with all of us. My wife, my son, and myself. Then with just him and then again with all of us. Th doctor today, spent rough over one hour. He spent time with all us in his office asking questions and observing him. I know that he was not in a good mood compared to the first one. He keep saying no doctor. He didn't respond to well with today's either. Then again, he doesn't do too well at times at home. So it is a mix bag. I wasn't quite sure about the first one but I do not want to take a risk of making it worse by taking the medication either. So that is why I am more hestiate. I know when I took medication when I was young. It made it worse, and that was for Hyperactivity. I was diagnosis with neurological disorder and physical disability as a child.

[vergla]

My daughtler has ADHD and PDD-NOS hers is also mild too. everyone has their own choces on rather they want to or not want to medicate their child its up to the parents. we choose to medicate our daughtler before she was on hers she was not eating that well and she was violent to her sister but now since shes been on the medication she eat better and she isnt violent to her sister. now we got this issue with her not wanting go any where .

[noyha]

Originally Posted by vergla

My daughtler has ADHD and PDD-NOS hers is also mild too. everyone has their own choces on rather they want to or not want to medicate their child its up to the parents. we choose to medicate our daughtler before she was on hers she was not eating that well and she was violent to her sister but now since shes been on the medication she eat better and she isnt violent to her sister. now we got this issue with her not wanting go any where .

We are still deliberating, and researching. We spoke to our parents who told us not to medicate. My father's friend who spoke to us about his behavior only claims that he is spoiled and not ADHD and Pdd-nos. He did say he is not completely sure but added all will give difference of opinion and diagnosis. I have read that it slows appetite, stomach pain, headache along with slow growth and brain development as a young adult. In addition, it kills creativity. Yet he needs better concentration. He was prescribe with Froclain XL. Can anyone tell me about the drug.

Overall, we hope that as any parent would make the best decision for him. Both my son loves DS, and the doctor told us not let them play since Mario Bros is violence. They would act a bit rough as my parent say any boys would. Is there completely different behavior and goals for kids with pdd-nos to ADHD?

[bowian]

Originally Posted by noyha

We are still deliberating, and researching. We spoke to our parents who told us not to medicate. My father's friend who spoke to us about his behavior only claims that he is spoiled and not ADHD and Pdd-nos. He did say he is not completely sure but added all will give difference of opinion and diagnosis. I have read that it slows appetite, stomach pain, headache along with slow growth and brain development as a young adult. In addition, it kills creativity. Yet he needs better concentration. He was prescribe with Froclain XL. Can anyone tell me about the drug.

Overall, we hope that as any parent would make the best decision for him. Both my son loves DS, and the doctor told us not let them play since Mario Bros is violence. They would act a bit rough as my parent say any boys would. Is there completely different behavior and goals for kids with pdd-nos to ADHD?

I'll start with the video games. There are nonviolent games out there for the DS. One in particular is Nintedogs. You can research others. I didn't think Mario Bros was that bad, but that's JMO.

As for medication, it didn't really work for my son, who has the same diagnoses. It's a challenge to deal with him, but he was worse on medication. Also, my understanding is that medication can impact autistic children differently or more severely in terms of side effects. That was the case with my son. But I know of other parents who medicate with fewer problems.

Good luck in whatever you decide.

[vergla]

Originally Posted by noyha

We are still deliberating, and researching. We spoke to our parents who told us not to medicate. My father's friend who spoke to us about his behavior only claims that he is spoiled and not ADHD and Pdd-nos. He did say he is not completely sure but added all will give difference of opinion and diagnosis. I have read that it slows appetite, stomach pain, headache along with slow growth and brain development as a young adult. In addition, it kills creativity. Yet he needs better concentration. He was prescribe with Froclain XL. Can anyone tell me about the drug.

Overall, we hope that as any parent would make the best decision for him. Both my son loves DS, and the doctor told us not let them play since Mario Bros is violence. They would act a bit rough as my parent say any boys would. Is there completely different behavior and goals for kids with pdd-nos to ADHD?

the best i suggest to you on your sons medication is to look online for information on your sons medication type in your sons medication. all childern respond differntly to pdd and adhd . i basicly got alot of my information on my daughtlers medication and adhd and pdd online. also alot of people who either didnt have a child with what your son has or even realize how hard and differnt it is with a child that dosent have thease kind problems.your not alone on this because i had the troubles with my family said simaller things about my child too but after awhile they realized how differnt it is between my daughtler and other childern and im certain theres other people who simaller issues as well.

[neddy]

Well,the older generation seems to have a different way of thinking about these problems that most parents I have talked to. My parents who have lots of contact with my son see that he is different not just spoiled. My inlaws that we have almost no contact with see him as spoiled etc...We have aspergers and Adhd plus other co morbids. We used Focilin XR and had no problem other than it only seemed to last until about 7hrs not the 12 hrs so we switched over to Concerta and had no problems. No side effects for us,growing just fine,eating all things doing well. We started on Adderral and while it worked coming off the RX in the afternoon he got really mean. (Known as rebound) You might have to try a few meds before you find the one that works for you if you decide to go that route..

[noyha]

Originally Posted by neddy

Well,the older generation seems to have a different way of thinking about these problems that most parents I have talked to. My parents who have lots of contact with my son see that he is different not just spoiled. My inlaws that we have almost no contact with see him as spoiled etc...We have aspergers and Adhd plus other co morbids. We used Focilin XR and had no problem other than it only seemed to last until about 7hrs not the 12 hrs so we switched over to Concerta and had no problems. No side effects for us,growing just fine,eating all things doing well. We started on Adderral and while it worked coming off the RX in the afternoon he got really mean. (Known as rebound) You might have to try a few meds before you find the one that works for you if you decide to go that route..

My wife is getting upset and disturb with difficulty with him yesterday when he keeps reading braid as bird and other words. Even after telling him to answer while doing Kumon. Another concern we had is that we read that most ADHD is diagnosis at 7 years old. He is only 5. We talked to my sister-in-law, a pharmacist, who said to research more, and the medicine that he was describe is not listed in Korea. He was describe Focilin XR. Can you tell me how do you give it to him. He got a lot of doges to start, so we are bit worried there. Can you also let know if it is true that there is a slow grow sprout. Thank you

[elvenom]

My son has high functioning autism. He also has sensory processing disorder and dyspraxia. He is not ADHD or ADD but he has trouble focusing and tends to have problems w/ transitioning. He is not violent, thank God, but boy, he used to tantrums almost 10 times a day for 20 minutes or more. I was about to lose my mind! But was determined not to medicate him (hes only 5). Of course, its your decision to make, but we did a lot of research and find that medication only helps the behavior while bringing on many unwanted side effects, especially in a child so young.

We went to a HOLISTIC developmental pediatrician, who has him on a special vitamin made for children w/ disorders on the autistic spectrum. She also had us cut out gluten and wheat. She also counseled us on how to keep him calm (no video games, no prolonged computer time, etc). I have to say that collectively it has worked! He is tantruming maybe 3 times a week, when it used to be ALL DAY LONG. I cant even begin to tell you how burnt out we were. I was so bad my dr suggested Valium! (I didnt take it).

Too often, ADHD is given as a diagnosis, when the real issue is sensory disorder that impacts the childs behaviors. Before you medicate, why not do some research about natural ways to treat ADHD. For example, in my own research I learned (and the doctor shared this with me as well), that many kids who are ADHD can be helped w/ higher doses of magnesium, which helps calm them - and other vitamins. I guess it can sound a little out there if you are not into natural health, and I was skeptical too, but it has been working for us!

Of course, I am not judging and I wish you the best and know that ultimately you have to do whats best for your family. Just thought I would offer another point of view. I wish you the best of luck!