hearing loss and immaturity.

My son is 51/2.  He is starting kindergarten next week.  I am really worried about his social sucess.  When he was little he had a lot of ear infections. He has a speech problem called, fronting. His speech has gotten a lot better.  Academically, he seems do to things fine, as long as its on his own pace.  Socially, he has problems.  All he plays with is his sister. He is very femine and  immature for his age.  He will repeat the same thinng over and over again. He has a real hard time in the self help area.  I have to be kind of rough to get him to do anything.   I dont know if this is because of his speech or laziness. In social situations, he plunges ahead, not even really thinking about what to say or do.  If he feels he is not getting attention he will act up.  He is very sensitive to loud noises.  He doesnt even like it when I run the vacume cleaner. He also fidgets a lot.  I suspect he does have a learning problem besides speech.  I have to wait untill hes 6, then the school will test him.  I suspect adhd. Any thoughts to his behavior, or how to help him?

[specialmom]

Hi,  from what you write here ------- I would ask you to google sensory integration disorder.  This is a developmental delay (which has NOTHING to do with IQ) that affects the nervous system.  My son has sensory integration disorder.  It can look different in different kids and involves all of the senses (and we actually have more than 5!!  There is the vestibular and procieptive system as well.)  and even a minor issue can make things tough on a child.  An occupational therapist evaluates and treats for sensory.  It involves direct work on the nervous system as well as teaching life skills (those self help and social skills that did not come naturally to your child) and behavioral things.  I can't tell you how much occupational therapy has helped my son.

I'd google sensory and look at motor planning specifically.  It can affect speech------- and in all aspects.  Articulation is the one you would ordinarily think of but it can effect receptive and expressive language as well.  Perhaps your child repeats because he has difficulty processing what is asked and then formulating an answer.  Many assume that language issues are associated with autism and they can be------- but speech issues are quite common with sensory kids and speech delays exist on their own.  

Social skills did not come naturally to my child.  We have worked very hard teaching them to him.  We did a "social skills camp" last summer.  Very helpful.  They run it by age groups and go up to 10 years of age--------- kids in the group had sensory, aspergers syndrome, adhd or just trouble with social skills.  There are lots of games you can play to help a child of 5 along.  Tell me what specific areas your child has trouble with and I'll see if I can come up with ideas.  My son had trouble with every aspect.  He spoke too loud, stood too close, touched all the time, didn't look at the person he was talking to.  Didn't read facial expressions or body language (as in someone could be turned leaving and he'd still be talking a mile a minute).  Etc.

Motor planning would play a direct role with self care.  Sensory kids also do not like hair brushing, face washing, teeth brushing, etc.  So self care in general can be difficult.

Schools are equipped for all kinds of kids with lots of different problems these days.  I'd tell the teacher that you are concerned.  She/he could then perhaps work on friend building and community building in the classroom.  The school counselor is also a good resource for this.

Socialize as much as possible with your child.  Set up some one on one play dates or go to the park and just start playing with the kids.  You join in too.  Kids of 5 still like parent interaction and whether it is a play date or a random hook up at the park------- you stay involved and help guide him on how to be with kids his age.  Help him along.  Also, you should act like a peer at home with him so he is in essense practicing friend skills with you.  Good luck

[Sumanadevii]

errrr...if you are in the USA the school has to test if you request it.  He does not have to be enrolled in the school.  It comes under early childhood education or your special education department.  He should be receiving free speech therapy.  I would definitely have him tested.  Some of his behaviors reminds me of autism.

I am just a mom.  I hold no degress in this area.  But, I would not enroll him in school at five but I would for sure demand the testing be done.  Call your state board of education.  You may have to put the request in writing.  They then have 30 days to respond.

[specialmom]

Hi,  from what you write here ------- I would ask you to google sensory integration disorder.  This is a developmental delay (which has NOTHING to do with IQ) that affects the nervous system.  My son has sensory integration disorder.  It can look different in different kids and involves all of the senses (and we actually have more than 5!!  There is the vestibular and procieptive system as well.)  and even a minor issue can make things tough on a child.  An occupational therapist evaluates and treats for sensory.  It involves direct work on the nervous system as well as teaching life skills (those self help and social skills that did not come naturally to your child) and behavioral things.  I can't tell you how much occupational therapy has helped my son.

I'd google sensory and look at motor planning specifically.  It can affect speech------- and in all aspects.  Articulation is the one you would ordinarily think of but it can effect receptive and expressive language as well.  Perhaps your child repeats because he has difficulty processing what is asked and then formulating an answer.  Many assume that language issues are associated with autism and they can be------- but speech issues are quite common with sensory kids and speech delays exist on their own.  

Social skills did not come naturally to my child.  We have worked very hard teaching them to him.  We did a "social skills camp" last summer.  Very helpful.  They run it by age groups and go up to 10 years of age--------- kids in the group had sensory, aspergers syndrome, adhd or just trouble with social skills.  There are lots of games you can play to help a child of 5 along.  Tell me what specific areas your child has trouble with and I'll see if I can come up with ideas.  My son had trouble with every aspect.  He spoke too loud, stood too close, touched all the time, didn't look at the person he was talking to.  Didn't read facial expressions or body language (as in someone could be turned leaving and he'd still be talking a mile a minute).  Etc.

Motor planning would play a direct role with self care.  Sensory kids also do not like hair brushing, face washing, teeth brushing, etc.  So self care in general can be difficult.

Schools are equipped for all kinds of kids with lots of different problems these days.  I'd tell the teacher that you are concerned.  She/he could then perhaps work on friend building and community building in the classroom.  The school counselor is also a good resource for this.

Socialize as much as possible with your child.  Set up some one on one play dates or go to the park and just start playing with the kids.  You join in too.  Kids of 5 still like parent interaction and whether it is a play date or a random hook up at the park------- you stay involved and help guide him on how to be with kids his age.  Help him along.  Also, you should act like a peer at home with him so he is in essense practicing friend skills with you.  Good luck