My ds who will be 8 at the end of this month has been referred to a neurologist by his usual doctor. Let me give you a little background...He started speech sessions at home when he was 2 and half because he was only saying a few words. He has continued with the speech which he now gets at school. He speech is good now but he still rushes though and when he does that he can be hard to understand.
He took 2 years of kindergarten because he teacher felt that he needed that extra year to mature more. Now, this year in 1st grade he is doing better academically. He was put on Staterra at the beginning of this year but his teacher says that he was still being easily distracted so we took him off the meds. about 3 weeks ago. His teacher says that she thinks he might have a compulsive disorder, because he fiddles a lot at his desk. He will outline the shape of his desk with his finger over and over even after being told to stop, he will sharpen his pencil down all the way instead of stopping after it is sharp. She says that he does'nt look her in the eyes when she or other teachers talk to him....he does'nt do this at home or with anyone that I've noticed. He also only knows about 4-5 kids names in his class. At home he doesn't like to socialize. I usually have to make him play with others, sometimes he will want to but not usually. He usually only wants to play with the playstation, and we've cut that down to only 2 hours on the weekend only.
His grades are fine, he always does well in spelling, math, vocabulary, reading is so so, and his handwriting is'nt great but all in all he is doing up to par in his work.
His doctor wants him to see a nuerologist for his compulsivness and his socalizing. What kinds of things will they do? Anyone have an idea on what might be going on with my little guy?

By Cat on Wednesday, January 5, 2005 - 09:10 am:

Mara, for all the dx's my 11yo ds has, we've never seen a neurologist. Go figure. Maybe we should, but that's beside the point. I have no idea with a neurologist will do, but if I were you I'd research OCD before going. You're his mother and know your son best. Honestly, and this is just my unprofessional opinion from what you've posted, it sounds more like Asperger's Syndromn. Research that, too, and see what you think. AS has been mentioned for Robin, but we've never gotten an official dx. Kids with AS are usually called "Little Einsteins" because they tend to be very smart. They have poor social skills. Do a google (or whatever search engine you like) search. There's TONS of info online about both OCD and AS. When's his appointment? You can email me if you'd like, to vent, with questions or anything else. I've btdt. cathyliz @ bigfoot.com (without the spaces) Let us know and good luck.

By Kaye on Wednesday, January 5, 2005 - 09:28 am:

I have also been there done that. My child hasn't been to a neuro, though my mother has. Basically he will look at your child really well, look at his eyes, have him squeeze his hands in many ways, etc. They will be examine muscle tone consistant side to side etc. They will also probably do some blood work to rule out certain genetic things.

I will agree with Cat it does sound alot like aspergers, but that is based on what you have written. If your doc suspects that he will go throught the check list with you. The OCD stuff might be interesting also. One thing to know is children who have one dx also have several. Most of these things just fit hand and hand with each other. With both of the above dx the main thing they do for it, is watch, educate you, halp you to deal with it better, teach him some coping mechanisms, but there isn't really a fix. My youngest is undiagnosed, but a difficult child. We are kind of waiting and watching him. Up until this point they have said he falls in normal limits still. They do reach a certain age where that gap gets bigger and bigger. Good luck ((hugs))

By Ginny~moderator on Wednesday, January 5, 2005 - 10:08 am:

Just a note on Aspergers. At our office Christmas party I was (sort of) introduced to one of the attorneys, and told later by one of my guys that this man is brilliant, writes absolutely outstanding briefs and is an essential attorney in the firm - and as Aspergers. Now, my oldest son has a mild form of Aspergers, but this attorney has a much more severe form. He has a very difficult time being social but makes himself come to all office events and, for example, participated in the Pollyanna. He cannot stand to be touched, and has a very difficult time saying more than Hello to anyone other than the attorneys he works with directly. Nonetheless, he is a highly valued member of this firm and, knowing what I know about the firm's standards, probably pretty darn well paid.

I'm not saying Aspergers is a cakewalk, by any means. I watched my dear oldest son struggle so painfully so many times to learn appropriate social behavior (which he has, by and large, with some lapses). But, there is some light.

By Cat on Wednesday, January 5, 2005 - 11:21 am:

OASIS

Check out this website. It's got lots of great info on AS. Ginny's right, too. It's not a cakewalk, but there are lots worse things. It may not even be that, anyway. That's just what your description sounded like to me. You and the doctors will know better than I would.

By Kate on Wednesday, January 5, 2005 - 11:31 am:

Ginny, what's a Pollyanna?

Good luck, Mara. Your input and observations will be invaluable.

By Lauram on Wednesday, January 5, 2005 - 11:55 am:

My son sees a neurologist. He has lots of dx's and is very complex. I would ditto the researching. OCD and AS sound like good places to start. Basically, a neurologist gives meds for a neurological disorder(s.) My son is currently on Adderall for his ADHD. Also his TS, OCB and GAD are also monitored. We go to the neuro about every 6 weeks at this point. THey check his heart, weight and talk to me about how things are going. They've also given him an exam and have given us checklists to give to teachers.

By Jelygu on Wednesday, January 5, 2005 - 12:18 pm:

I don't have any experience or advice, just ((((hugs)))). I hope everything is ok.

By Tink on Wednesday, January 5, 2005 - 12:35 pm:

My son has high-functioning autism and, now would meet the requirements for Aspergers' more than traditional autism. While it certainly is not a cakewalk, it is so much more manageable than I ever would have expected. Based on what you have said, that would be something that would warrant some research. The desk tracing is a common stimming behavior and the lack of eye contact is a common trait of autism. His speech issues and trouble with fine motor skills also sounds like my son. The lack of social skills is common with Aspergers'. If you'd like to talk or have any questions that you think I might be able to answer, please email me (addy is in my profile). Lots of luck!

By Mara on Wednesday, January 5, 2005 - 12:39 pm:

I researched Asperger syndrome and it fits ds to a T. His appointment for the neurologist is the 14th of January. I will be sure to mention my concerns and I'm anxious to hear what they have to say.
Thanks Cat, about the offer to e-mail you If I need support or have questions that I think you might know I will keep your offer in mind.

Thanks everyone

Mara

By Ginny~moderator on Wednesday, January 5, 2005 - 01:00 pm:

A pollyanna is (to my knowledge) a Philadelphia area Christmas tradition - sort of like Secret Santa. Everyone who wants to participate puts their name and three choices for gifts at a certain price level in the hat, everyone picks out one of the papers in the hat, and the gifts are distributed at an agreed time.