ADHD, Autism, Neurological issues? Worried about child...

[mother_worried]

My son (now 4) was a fairly normal toddler with the exception of being ill more than normal children.  After developing a bacterial infection that was resistant to all medications except veincomycin (sorry on spelling), he had a grand mal seizure.  He has not been the same since... He has suffered from night terrors off and on since 2 years old. He gets nervous and anxious when in public and acts out inappropriately.  He walks on his tip toes and uses repetitive speech.  He repeats words, phrases, and songs over and over until it drives everyone crazy.  If things don't go the way he plans, he throws a fit.  He gets his feelings hurt very easily and is overly sensitive.  He tunes you out easily.  I can walk in his room and turn a tv on full blast without him waking up. He has had hearing tests (permanent tubes in ears) and has passed his hearing exam.  He has difficulty going to sleep.  His behavioral issues are causing issues with his preschool classes.  He doesn't complete his work and is easily distracted.  He doesn't listen to the teacher.  The hardest part for us is not being able to go anywhere without him acting up. He either gets so rowdy and runs around or he is so loud repeating things that other people in the room are annoyed.  Any suggestions on what could be wrong with him.  I truly don't feel he is just being "rotten".  I cannot control his behaviors in public very easily as he is getting older, so I am concerned.  The doctors haven't noticed his behaviors until his last check up and she just figured he was being a rowdy boy that day even though he inappropriately interrupted us the whole conversation which is unlike him from his past behaviors.  I am afraid the seizure may have had more of an affect than what is being let on...  Any opinions on this?

[William L. Holcomb, Ph.D., BCBA-D]

Although you did not mention this, based on your description of your son’s behavior, I hope that your regional early intervention program (EIP) and the local education authority (LEA; your town or city school district that you live in) are involved and providing at least some services to help you.  Since you do mention that your son’s pediatrician has only recently noticed some of the behaviors you describe, however, I am guessing that she has not made any referrals to the agencies I mentioned (and now that your son is over three, he would no longer be eligible for EIP services).  With regard to a diagnosis, I suggest you talk with the pediatrician and ask to have your son referred for further assessment.  If upon further assessment, the assessors feel that your son may have an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), then I recommend that you take him to a clinic that specializes in children with ASDs for further assessment.  Since your son is already over three years of age, the LEA is responsible for performing a CORE assessment if you request one.  Contact your local department of education for information on how to initiate this process.  (Note: providing them with any assessment reports, etc. by your doctor or other professionals indicating their concerns would be helpful.)

In the meantime, independent of your son’s diagnosis, it sounds like there are a number of problem behaviors that you could use some help in managing.  I suggest that you ask the pediatrician for a referral to a Board Certified Behavior Analyst to help you with the problem.  You can go to the Behavior Analyst Certification Board’s website (http://www.bacb.com/) to see if there is one near where you live; or at least to see what types of qualifications you should be looking for in someone to help you. Another website with a great deal of information on a behavior analytic approach to working with children can be found at the Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies (http://www.behavior.org/).  Finally, as the old adage goes, sooner is better than later in terms of working with a professional behavior analyst in developing strategies to help better manage your son’s behavior.  

[shay_nicole]

that sounds so much like my 3 1/2 year old son it is unreal. the only difference is the only time my son repeats things is if he thinks you don't hear him he'll say it over and over until you respond.