Needing some help

[anna48fan]

I have a six year old son. It is only into the first couple of weeks of school, and we have had many problems. I have been suspecting for some time that my son may have a medical condition. During his lifetime, he has always been very affectionate, and very routine. In the begining when he was younger, we attributed it to being an age thing, but it has not stopped. My son will have a total emotional breakdown when we go to a new place that he has never been before. He will cry, bit his nails and tell me and his dad over and over he does not want to go. If we wind up going anyway he will beg us to stay in the car. He is very routine, and lines up his toys everyday when he gets home from school a certian way, and will break down if you move them. He also touches people all of the time. He will hug, kiss, touch their face, in school and in the store to strangers. He prefers to play alone and does not like to go anywhere. We he is out of school, he wants to go stright home and barely goes out of the house, unless it is something he really likes. He will memorize movies, and can recite history facts, and anything else that he is really interessted in. He gets fixated on certian TV shows. Because I have another child, this is really starting to effect our household. Often times we cannot even go to the Zoo or Park or somewhere that he has not been because his fits are so bad. People will stare at us, and we don't know what to do. Can anyone help me? Thank you

[MJIthewriter]

If you suspect autism, it is a good time to have your son evaluated. As far as not wanting to go to school, could be any number of things that are going on. Could be sensory overload to being picked on by his peers. Have you talked with his teacher?

On a side note I have just about always had anxiety going places. I don't like venturing into the unknown, disrupting my routine, and also potentialy be assulted by something uncomfortable such as noise or feeling awkward.  When going to parties one of my biggest fears and anxiety is being trapped with a bunch of people, bored out of my mind, because no one will talk to me or I don't know how to join their conversation. In some cases the noise level can be overwhelming. In those settings, I want to get out or find something to calm me down. I bring my sketchbook or my camera with me to give me a sense of security. I have the option to draw or take pictures if I want to.

With your son it may help to let him know ahead of time that you are going, where you are going, write it out visually on a calander he can see. Give him the option to take something with him such as a toy he can use to calm down. I usually have to plan my trips out. It's easier if I am the one planning than if someone else plans it and then throws it on me.