could there be a BIGGER problem

[sandy426]

I have a 4 yr old son...He recently started Pre school...But even before he has started school I have seen him display some strange behavior...He repeats what i say back to me, when asked a question he doesnt seem to understand how to answer...He doesnt socialize in school...As soon as he sees me after school, he screams at the top of his lungs...He screams at home for no reason, does not listen to instruction very well...I feel he should be further along in speech....I am so worried that maybe its ADD or ADHD...He learns so quickly and is so intellegent, but his behavior is getting worse by the day!...I am going thru a process to have him evaluated thru the public school system...I NEED HELP!

[specialmom]

Hi,  I feel like I bring this up a lot but another avenue to look into is sensory integration disorder.  Sensory integration disorder involves how the brain processes things and can show itself exactly as you describe.  If a child has difficulty with motor planning ------ speech can be involved.  Sometimes this will show itself in articulation but it can also show itself in one's ability to answer a question, for example.  If you think about what happens when a child is asked a question, it involves various steps.  First, the child has to take in the question and process what is asked. Then the child has to organize an answer and process what they want to say.  Then the child has to articulate the answer.  All involve the nervous system and processing.  If anything is slightly off, you can have exactly what you describe.

Kids with sensory also can have a hard time staying focused and especially at somewhere like preschool.  If you think of the brain as having lots of little gates in it that will hold back certain things and let certain things through---------- such as holding back the feeling of that tag in the back of my shirt, holding back the sound of the lawn mower outside, holding back the thoughts of the legos in the bins on the shelf right next to the circle where I sit to hear the teacher's story, hold back that a child is sitting 'really' close to me but letting in the sound of the teacher's voice as she reads the story . . . that is what being focused would look like  A sensory kid's gates don't always work right if they are excited (as they are in school), overwhelmed (as they are in school), etc. and mutiple gates can lift. So a child can't put all of the other things out of their mind to listen to the teacher but instead have a bit of chaos going on inside them that makes focusing really tough.  They often wander around a preschool room for this same reason. Hard to zoom in on one thing to do with so much 'noise' in the brain telling them to go here, go there, look here, look there.  Wandering was one of the key things that was noticed first in my son.

Volatility is another common thing with sensory integration disorder.  They feel things differently. So even though it may seem like they are crying out for nothing-------- something is bugging them.  My son didn't like his hands wet, he'd melt down.  Other times, he craved things like water play.  He is a sensory seeker with tactile defensiveness----  so it was confusing in the begining figuring out what the heck was going on.  

When thinking about autism (which sensory can be comorbid with or all on its own)---  you'll look into things like his social skills. This can be deceiving at times as well because a sensory kid can be delayed in some social skill areas as well.  But usually the profile is a bit different.  Does your child make eye contact?  Does your child engage with known adults and kids?  (a sensory kid engages with known adults and kids but at school can have a harder time with peers).  

An occupational therapist evaluates and treats for sensory integration disorder.  I will tell you that my son was diagnosed at 4 with sensory and is doing really awesome at almost 8 years old.  Amazing things can happen with early intervention.

So, I am just giving you another thing to look into on your journey of helping your child.  More information is always helpful.  The web site "sensory processing disorder" is helpful too.  It gives ideas on how to help with brain organization/motor planning.  (it is called "heavy work" in the occupational world).  I have a million to and you can always contact me.  

So look into autism, sensory and other things that are mentioned to you.  Identifying what is going on for sure is key to finding the right way to help him.  And have no fear---------  as stated above, early intervention can really do amazing things to help our kids.  Your local school system is a great way to start and I do wish you much luck

[tiredbuthappy]

I agree, there are major red flags in his behaviors. However, as jdtm mentioned, early intervention is key and can make a tremendous difference.
FYI- Him repeating things you say is called "echolalia." You can google it for more info.

[Sandman2]

     I agree with jdtm.  and if you can afford it, you might want to have him checked out by a pediatric psychiatrist or psychologist (not a pediatrician!).

[jdtm]

This posting reminds me of our nephew - he was diagnosed with PDD-NOS (pervasive developmental disorder - not otherwise specifed) which is a high-functioning form of autism.  Today, our nephew has graduated from college and holds a responsible job.  If this is the case, then be aware that early intervention is the key to his being able to cope and manage this disorder.  All the best ...