8 year old with many problems.

[wlw]

Hello,

I have an 8 year old son who has physical and mental disabilities. He is still on a pre-k level at school and is in ESE classes full time. His IQ was scored at a 77. He has also been aiagnosed ADHD. I really wonder if the ADHD label has made them look over some other problems he has. I feel it may be much bigger a problem and ADHD may be a side issue. He does display all the classic syptoms of ADHD. He does not have very good social skills. He tends to blurt things out sometimes that make no sense. He also in playing is sometimes too rough when he does not mean to be and hurts another child. He does not seem to understand what it means when you hurt someone's feelings. I have watched him and I can tell he has no idea how he may have just hurt someone. You can see a blank look in his eyes when he tries to understand it. It is almost like he does not understand emotions in other people. Also the main problem I am asking for help with is the fact he is 8 years old and still has BM's in his pants atleast 3 times a week sometimes more. Seems to happen most often when he is very stressed or over stimulated. He can be two feet from the restroom but will not go in and use it. This only happens with a BM. He does the other fine and only now and then wets the bed. Sometimes I am not sure if he ever uses the toilet for any BM. I am lost for what this could be or what to do. We have punished him so many times in so many ways that I can not believe he does it on purpose. We have tried rewarding him. Is there a condition that could explain this related or not to his other disiabilities? I just know an 8 year old should not be having this problem unless something is very wrong. Any help is so much appreciated.

[gm]

I,too have an 8 year old with many problems. His started when he was about 3 and I moved in with someone that he obviously did not approve of. This just set off the classic symptoms of Bi-polar disorder. He also has difficulty going to the bathroom even if only 2 feet away. It does take a systematic approach but also alot of patience and a lot of controlling stressing events.

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

Dear WLW,

It does sound like ADHD is not a primary concern with your son, and that some additional diagnostic workup is in order. You may find it helpful to have him seen by a developmental pediatrician and by a pediatric mental health clinician as well. The encopresis is probably not an emotionally-based symptom, but does require a systematic management program. All this can be addressed via a developmental evaluation.