Atisium?????

[mommy92004]

My son is 5 and has been in speech therapy since the age of  3. He has been diagniosed as adhd, bipolar, and devlopment delay disorder. He has never had really good speech, but lately it has gotten to the point that 95% of the time no one (including myself) can understand him. when he is angry or up set, the only way that he communicates is through physical aggression. He will not play with other children, but clear away from them. Most everything he does, he needs help and doesn't seem to understand even the simple instruction. I am very concerned and most research leads me to believe that he may be autistic. My MIL also thinks so which is why I researched it in the first place. Can someone please help because I have no idea. I want to understand and communicate with my son so very bad, but it seems impossible. He does smile however he shows no affection to anyone other than myself. When I am home he seems to never want to leave my side... and Im only at work for a very short time.

[mommy92004]

As for his doctor... He is a psychitrist in Manhatten. Yes, he has been recieving speech therapy for 3 years within the public school system. No, they have made no suggestions as far as helping him at home. However, they say that he coperates on some days and not on others. As for his behaviour at school, that really depends on who the teacher talks to. She will tell me that everything is fine, tell my mother in law something differant, and tell my sister in law something completely different than what either myself or mother in law were told. The only people on his IEP team are his teacher, speech therapist, ot therapist, and 1 special education teacher, as well as the princapal. There has never been a behaviour analyst. As for services avilaable.... I have no idea. Thank you for your response.

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

Not being able to communicate with your child must be tremendously frustrating.  You mentioned that your son has already been given several diagnoses.  I think I may have more questions than answers for you, but I hope they may be of some help.  The questions are really or two sorts: some that you need to answer, but mainly questions to talk with the people involved with your son’s care and education.  Who diagnosed your son?  Given the range of the diagnoses you list, I recommend that you take him for a full team evaluation.  Since you are questioning whether or not he may meet the diagnostic criteria for autism, (if at all possible) find an assessment team familiar with young children and autism spectrum disorders (ASD).  Has he been receiving the speech therapy in a public school program?  Has the speech therapist recommended strategies for increasing you son’s communication behaviors? (That might range anywhere from techniques to increase vocal speech to suggesting an alternative or augmentative communication system.)  What is his educational program like?  Is he in a substantially separate classroom or included with his age peers?  Is his behavior in school very similar to what you describe at home?  If so, how do they manage the aggressive behavior?  Is there a qualified behavior analyst on your son’s treatment team?  What services are available to you regarding addressing your son’s behavior at home?  Regardless of a diagnosis, it seems from your description that he is need of intervention to help address his communication and social behavior (and those really go together).  Do not delay.  If you feel you son is not making adequate progress, speak with your son’s educator and request that a team meeting be convened to address the concerns (following up with a letter documenting your conversation is usually helpful, too).  

[Athena_M]

When I was working with children with autism we used pictures to communicate.  I'm not sure if that is what he has, but this idea will help you communicate with him.  

I want to encourage you and recommend you take pictures of things around the house that he may want or that you could show him.  If you give him a cup of water show the picture of a cup of water.  If you read him a story show him a picture of a book.  If he wants to go to the bathroom he can show you a picture of the toilet.  Here is a list of some examples.

Pictures of:
milk
juice
crackers
his favourite foods
or a picture of eating
his bed- show it to him before bedtime or nap time
a picture of you hugging him in case he wants a hug or you are going to give him one
toothbrush to show it is time to brush teeth
toilet
blanket
stuffed animal/s
pictures of the toys he may ask for
book
TV and or his favorite DVDs or shows he likes to watch

You can put these on a chart or have them loose so that he can bring them to you.  I would start out simple.  

I really hope this system works with you communicating with your son.  Please keep me posted on what you think and if it works.

Hugs
Athena

[mommy92004]

yes, we have had hearing tested and it came back normal. Thank you for the response.

[KarenDiane]

He could be autistic. One thing you could try to help him communicate, is sign language. If he can communicate with you, it might relieve his frustration and physical aggression. Also, have you had his hearing checked?