HopefulMom
Active Member
I am new to this forum, but have been searching for somewhere to ask a few questions, and maybe read a little more about what could be going on with my little guy. I am hoping there is no judgement here, as I asked some questions on another site, and was shocked to see the responses that I got, but I am determined to get to the bottom of what's going on with my baby boy so that I can help him the best way possible.
I am the mother of a wonderfully eccentric, energetic, intelligent 6 year old. He has been diagnosed with ADHD officially, but other things have been thrown into the mix recently. SPD, anxiety, OCD, disruptive behavior disorder, ODD, severe emotional disturbance. I may even be missing a few.
From the beginning, we have always seen him as "strong willed, and stubborn" and we always knew there was something different about him. The real issues began when he started kindergarten last year. We knew he was hyperactive, and they would probably have a hard time getting him to sit in one place, but naturally thought, what 5 year old boy sits at a desk and follows directions all day, 5 days a week? It was more serious than that. I won't get into the entire school experience, as that is a big, long story in itself, but it ended with my surprisingly sweet, smart, happy little boy being suspended 26 times throughout the school year, and reccommended to attend a theraputic program next year, rather than returning to "normal" public school.
There is alot to his story, and hopefully, I will have the opportunity to get more into detail later on. What has me desperate for answers, or even just an exchange in messages with someone experienced in this subject, is that I don't believe that my child has ADHD, nor do I believe that he has an entire list of issues to be labeled with. But at the same time, my son is hyperactive, he does have anxiety, he is sensative to light, sound, hot, cold, doesn't like the wind, doesn't like specific smells or materials (not just a dislike, but meltdown worthy contempt) he does not like people touching him (not to say he isn't affectionate, he's a hugger, on his own terms, but bump into him in a line, and it all breaks loose) He does show signs of OCD, he walks on lines, things need to be a certain way, he obsesses over specific subjects and items, he is very easily frustrated. He can be defiant, but there is a catch to that one. What I have always tried to explain to teachers, his case manager etc, is that his defiance stems from the other party's inability to logically explain a reason why he cannot or should not do something. He is not defiant, just for the sake of being defiant. He doesn't argue for the sake of arguing. He genuinely does not understand certain things, unless it is explained to him with extreme logic. If your reason is "because I said so, or because those are the rules" you will have a fight on your hands. Unfortunately, most people don't have the patience to deal with that, and the result is defiance and frustration. If it does not make sense to him, he will not listen.
So in short (yeah, I'm past that point) He does, in a way, show signs of all the things listed above, but I whole heartedly feel that there is something else going on, and it isn't ADHD (which he is on medication for, another story) I feel that my questions, and concerns are falling on deaf ears with everyone that is supposed to be helping with him. I'm reaching out, so if anyone would like to respond with any questions, suggestions, or personal opinions, I do welcome an open minded, and respectful discussion.
I am the mother of a wonderfully eccentric, energetic, intelligent 6 year old. He has been diagnosed with ADHD officially, but other things have been thrown into the mix recently. SPD, anxiety, OCD, disruptive behavior disorder, ODD, severe emotional disturbance. I may even be missing a few.
From the beginning, we have always seen him as "strong willed, and stubborn" and we always knew there was something different about him. The real issues began when he started kindergarten last year. We knew he was hyperactive, and they would probably have a hard time getting him to sit in one place, but naturally thought, what 5 year old boy sits at a desk and follows directions all day, 5 days a week? It was more serious than that. I won't get into the entire school experience, as that is a big, long story in itself, but it ended with my surprisingly sweet, smart, happy little boy being suspended 26 times throughout the school year, and reccommended to attend a theraputic program next year, rather than returning to "normal" public school.
There is alot to his story, and hopefully, I will have the opportunity to get more into detail later on. What has me desperate for answers, or even just an exchange in messages with someone experienced in this subject, is that I don't believe that my child has ADHD, nor do I believe that he has an entire list of issues to be labeled with. But at the same time, my son is hyperactive, he does have anxiety, he is sensative to light, sound, hot, cold, doesn't like the wind, doesn't like specific smells or materials (not just a dislike, but meltdown worthy contempt) he does not like people touching him (not to say he isn't affectionate, he's a hugger, on his own terms, but bump into him in a line, and it all breaks loose) He does show signs of OCD, he walks on lines, things need to be a certain way, he obsesses over specific subjects and items, he is very easily frustrated. He can be defiant, but there is a catch to that one. What I have always tried to explain to teachers, his case manager etc, is that his defiance stems from the other party's inability to logically explain a reason why he cannot or should not do something. He is not defiant, just for the sake of being defiant. He doesn't argue for the sake of arguing. He genuinely does not understand certain things, unless it is explained to him with extreme logic. If your reason is "because I said so, or because those are the rules" you will have a fight on your hands. Unfortunately, most people don't have the patience to deal with that, and the result is defiance and frustration. If it does not make sense to him, he will not listen.
So in short (yeah, I'm past that point) He does, in a way, show signs of all the things listed above, but I whole heartedly feel that there is something else going on, and it isn't ADHD (which he is on medication for, another story) I feel that my questions, and concerns are falling on deaf ears with everyone that is supposed to be helping with him. I'm reaching out, so if anyone would like to respond with any questions, suggestions, or personal opinions, I do welcome an open minded, and respectful discussion.
