[TeachFL]

Hello, I am new here. I was wondering if anyone else has some of the same issues my son has. He is 5 years old with a developmental delay label currently. He has been in ST and OT since he was about 20 months old. His speech and motor skills have come a long way, but his is still lagging about two years behind in development. We are keeping him in pre school for an extra year because his is no where near ready for Kindergarten. Which leads me to my area of frustration. He is a sweet boy, but refuses to cooperate in school. (he is in a special ed. pre school program.) He eats markers and put other non edible items in his mouth still. He will not trace letters or shapes, he only scribbles. He throws toys and other items, plays hide and seek with the teacher or runs from her. He seems to have no understanding of consequences. He will not stay seated during circle time and makes noises during nap time. He has had the same problem with three different teachers. He can also be aggressive with other students or overly affectionate. My husband and I get so frustrated. We don't know what to do to get him to change his behavior. I currently teach regular ed. 5th grade and my husband was a special ed teacher for a few years. You would think between the two of us we could develop some strategies that work.
We have been through genetic testing, neurologists, developmental testing. No one can seem to tell us anything. I am making his 5 year old check up appointment and asking for a referral to a psychiatrist. I am hoping to get a better evaluation.
Thanks for listening to my frustrations! I would be glad to commiserate with anyone else who is facing similar issues.
Molly

[mcmama]

Hello and welcome! Sounds like you have the matter under control as best as possible. I think the referral to a psychiatrist is a good idea. There are a number of reasons a 5 year old might eat non edible things, be oppositional, and not aware of consequences or the effect on others. Best to take care of this now, before it affects him socially for good.

I don't really have any advice for you, but I wondered - has he had a medical workup with a psychiatrist and/or a pediatric neurologist? They may recognize some patterns that developmental specialists and teachers do not recognize in a child this age.

Good luck, welcome, and let us know how you are doing.

[QueenAngie]

I'd try for a pediatric neurologist too.

Something is going on here and it seems difficult to pinpoint the root of the problem/diagnosis....which
also makes the plan of care/education more difficult.

I would offer this Mom to Mom: a structured daily routine, limit sugars & dyes in foods, a good nutritional sound diet, playtime outside, and reading.

Please let us know how things are progressing for you.

[TeachFL]

Thanks for your support. We have been to the pediatric neurologist and had tests done there a few years ago. Maybe we need to have another appointment. We had him evaluated by "Early Intervention" When he was about 19 months old. We immediately started the ST and OT. I think he has some sensory integration issues going on.
I will keep you updated. Thanks again for your support.

[annsue]

For information on SPD (sensory processing disorder) I recommend "The Out of Sync Child" for more info. We are lucky to have several OTs in our area that focus on SPD and DH and I are learning so much from them. If you haven't heard of the Alert Program (AP) I would recommend looking into this. It helps a child identify when their "engine" is running too slow, just right, or too fast using Winnie the Pooh characters Eeyore, Pooh and Tigger. There is a bunch of checklists, suggestions, picture cards to identify engine levels etc. It works really well at your son's age. We are beginning it with our DD, but she's only 3 and probably won't get it for another year. I can tell you some strategies we have found to work: extreme sour flavored candy to increase focus, or very chewy types like gummy worms. Gum can work if he's old enough to understand and not just swallow it. Pushing against a wall as hard as he can. Jumping on a trampoline or swinging help our DD, she craves motion but is gravitationally defensive for some activities. If you haven't tried deep pressure brushing, ask your OT about a brushing program. Deep pressure to the joints with this makes it more effective. We have half-gallon juice jugs filled with water, sealed at the lid, and DD will walk around with this heavy weight to calm down. A weighted vest could help. Large pillows to "crash" onto are great. Get upholstery foam, make a large pillowcase (extras to keep them clean) and voila. Tons of resistance to walk across, so lots of input to leg joints, and great for throwing yourself down for body input. Make an obstacle course from sofa cushions, pillows and/or chairs to crawl across/over. If your DS craves input, use the large pillows to make a human sandwish of him, and put your body weight on him as pressure (some kids love this, our DD is defensive and hates it.) Buy a bunch of fake plastic bugs from the party favor store and play with these with DS. They have lots of antennae which provide small prickly sensation that many kids are initially defensive of, but love bugs and will get desensitized. Make homemade playdoh because it is lumpier and so more textures to be exposed to. Draw with shaving cream on a baking pan outside the house for easy cleanup for you. Hope this novel of ideas helps!

Andrea (:

[annsue]

Wanted to add on to address the behavior part, sorry! We provide continuity of the discipline strategy at DD's preschool. They identify how behavior affects others (E.g. "Justin, yelling hurts my ears.") Letting him know how each behavior affects someone else could help. At home if she won't do something and says no to my asking, I reply: "You can do it or I can help you do it." She hates being "helped" to do something and wants to be independent so this is effective for us. I also go by the rule, don't speak to your child unless you're in the room with them. Yelling across the house for them to do something isn't as effective as showing you're serious by being there to "help" if need be.

Andrea

[floridamama]

Some of what you are describing with your son sounds like my son. He was diagnosed with pediatric bi-polar & aspergers by our school pyschologist earlier this year.
I am not sure what part of Florida you live in but, there is a wonderful developmental & behavioral pediatrition located in Tampa Bay that came highly recommended to us. You should check out his website, and see what you think.
We have an appointment for our little boy in December with him, and I can't wait. He evaluates your child, and basically formulates a "game plan" with the parents as to what is going on with the child, and how to deal with it. He works with your regular pediatrition as to what is happening with your son, and he'll help you tap into things within your community that can help the whole family out...educationally and otherwise! My dh & I were sold once we read his website!
If you want to pm me I will give his name and info.! For my family...I think he'll be the "light at the end of the tunnel!"
Good luck!

[TeachFL]

Thanks for all of your good advice. I have read The out of sync child and I am currently reading Sensational Kids.
My son had his 5 year old check up this week and I talked to the doctor at length about his delays and behaviors. I also brought documentation from his teacher. We met with her a week ago. She says he is "Globally delayed" and functioning in most areas at a two year old level.
The doctor is trying to get us a referral to a pediatric psychiatrist. We are also going to try meds. for ADD to get him to sleep better at night so he can focus better during the day. He will start the meds. after he has an EKG done. The time it takes to get into the psychiatrist can take 6 months or more. I think my insurance is going to deny this. I read the exclusions last night under "mental health" and they do not cover behavior, or developmental delays of any kind. Does anyone have any suggestions to try and get around this? I have heard that the coding that is used by the doctor's office is real important.

[Brandie]

Originally Posted by QueenAngie

I'd try for a pediatric neurologist too.

Something is going on here and it seems difficult to pinpoint the root of the problem/diagnosis....which
also makes the plan of care/education more difficult.

I would offer this Mom to Mom: a structured daily routine, limit sugars & dyes in foods, a good nutritional sound diet, playtime outside, and reading.

Please let us know how things are progressing for you.

I' agree with this.
Good luck ... I hope you can get in to see the psychiatrist soon and get some answers for your son.

[annsue]

Look into your state's medical waiver for developmental delays. Here is a site I found for this: http://www.alexisfoundation.org/floridamedwaiver.html. If you can, get your child on your state's CHIP program. It is possible to have this in addition to your regular insurance and CHIP insurance usually covers *everything* your regular insurance won't. They even pick up the tab on copays, coinsurance etc when regular insurance does pay. We qualify for the CHIP as secondary but it is usually restricted to 185% FPL or less. Look into your state's Med-Waiver program, the CHIP program, and look for your state's department of insurance; they may offer supplemental (usually expensive) insurance that will cover your DS and no income quals are needed. It's based on insurers not providing for specific conditions (IE uninsurable blanket.) If you are facing big, uncovered expenses, the expensive insurance, if you don't qualify for CHIP, is going to be worth it.

I would second a PP's suggestion of a pediatric neurologist. We have been to 2, and one was excellent, picked up on many small cues right in the office visit, etc. The other one wasn't as good, very dismissive of concerns. It's important to find someone who will listen to you, but once you do it's worth it.

Andrea