Autism concern

Hi Concerned mom,

My Grandfather had ADHD, my father had has ADHD, I have ADHD and my 10 year old son has HDHD. I think it's important you understand what ADHD is and why your son behaves as he does.

ADHD is not a disorder it is a genetic variation that is curtail to the evolutions of mankind. A Person with ADHD suffers from luck of Dopamine. Dopamine has an important role in the creation of Adrenaline in the body. As you know Adrenaline is vital to many functions is our body and a deficit of Adrenaline is something the body can't put with.

So every time the Adrenalin levels fall the person with the ADHD simulates "fight or flight" situations because these are the situations that generate Adrenalin. So when your child suddenly, "with no reason", start to have a fight he does it in order to raise his Adrenaline levels.

Why this genetic diversion was important? Because ADHD's (with their need for Adrenalin) were the best hunters / warriors. Google for "hunter in a farmer world" for more info on that.

So I don't think your son is autistic because he has anger bursts. Just treat the ADHD and everything will change. 

What Ritalin does for ADHD kids is raise the levels of Dopamine in their blood. This way they do not feel the need to fight and their lives change in a way you will find hard to believe. It took me 9 years to give my son Ritalin (because I was scared) but once I gave him Ritalin his life changed 180 degrees. I wish my parents gave me Ritalin when I was young too.

My grandson, whom we homeschool, was 14, now 15, when he was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome (Asperger's). I knew something was wrong / different about him from when he was about 18 months, when we started taking care of him most of the time. He had anger outbursts often. Cried easily. Caused much stress and problems in a family with only one child, and a grandchild at that. He has lived with us most of his life, so this seems like home to him. Still, the problems are there.

When he was about seven years old, our family doctor wanted to put him on ritilin, but we declined. I am glad we did, because it wouldn't have done any good. I have a nephew with severe ADHD, but I believe that he still has an autistic problem and needs more evaluation, now that he has slowed down.

ADHD and Asperger's are both on the Autism Spectrum. Asperger's is considered high-functioning autism.

My grandson started going to a therapist last fall, and she noticed the symptoms of Asperger's. We took him to the Psychiarist group that she recommended and they confirmed Asperger's. They have a counselor who specializes in Asperger's. She also has a son with Asperger's and a younger son with autism.

My grandson was put on Trileptal for his anger and for mood stabilization; it worked really well, though not completely. He was given Zoloft for anxiety. For our part, we had to learn what triggered his rages and what caused his anxiety. We also had to let some things go, like not make such a big deal over the fact that he wanted to eat only one thing all of the time, like peanut butter and honey, or pizza, or macaroni and cheese. He has a chocolate instant breakfast with his morning meds, so he gets a little more nutrition. Now that we have all made adjustments, life is SO much easier and actually enjoyable!

Aspies, as the people who have Asperger's are called, have problems with socialization, communication, learning, and more. They can also have other syndromes, like ADHD. They are very intelligent, especially about things that they love, although they cannot do everything well.

My grandson has a writing disorder, where he cannot put his own thoughts on paper, but he can dictate great stories to me about Bionicles and other things that he is interested in. He is great at the computer, but not good at athletics, except rollerblading, which he likes.

When your son gets homefrom school, he has used up so much energy during the day, trying to do work and be good, that he is tired and lashes out at anyone who crosses his path. Often that is a time to give him an undertanding hug and give him something quiet to do while he calms down, or just give him some space. You might suggest that he might need some alone time, since he has had so much stress to handle and be nice about at school.

You can learn more about Asperger's at http://www.aspergers.com/ You may find your son's behavior outlined very well there.

My grandson said that he needed love, respect, and understanding.

I hope the info will help you and give you hope. Your son is special. Work on the positives when you can. Let him know that he is special, give him lots of love and support, and lots of hugs. You also might consider homeschooling him, so that he can function and learn better, as well as be able to use the energy that he does have to be good and loving at home.

May your son and all of your family have great success, love, ... and peace.   ahhhh!

can be the sweetest thing when he wants to. You have to understand that he doesn't choose to be "bad". I would still try Ritalin. It can't harm and if it works his life would change. 

By the way playing with older kids is a cloassic ADHD symptopm too.  

Go with your gut and seek further medical advice. It is not entirely unheard of for children to be misdiagnosed. Some children with autism or Asperger's Syndrome turn their frustration outward (acting much like you've described your son behaving) while others turn it inward (becoming self-injurious).

 If your son is on the spectrum, your complaint that he is an angel at school and a terror at home is not an uncommon one either. He probably feels "safe" at home so he meltsdown there rather than at school or elsewhere.

 How did his language develop? How are his verbal communication skills now? Does her perserverate on one or two special interests? How are his motor skills (both gross and fine)?

Also, ADHD can be a co-morbid dx with an autism spectrum disorder.

 Good luck as you search for answers. 

It never hurts to ask for a second opinion if you have concerns about the diagnosis

Dear concerned mom,

I am a teacher at a school with three autistic children. For five years now I have been teaching children with Autism. I have learned that one of the children had no problems being at school, but was very bad tempered when he came home. Until he was 9 years old, he had no problem keeping up with the lessons at school. Now he needs to take brakes, and he know that he has the upportunity to do so if he wants. He has his own room to rest. Our pupils with Autism do also have a timetable with pictures, I do not remember the name of it in English. This helps a lot, and the pupils do not have to used their consentration on wondering what to do next.

Hi concernedmom:

My take on Autism, ADD and ADHD is they are about a serious imbalance in your son's hormonal and chemical balance of his mind and body.  Today, we are seeing a dramatic and quite scary increase in the amounts of diagnoses of these illnesses.  Our doctors are so quick to prescribe medications with even more debilitating side effects that further cause chaos on our bodies.  I highly recommend before dosing your child with needless meds, try the natural approach first in rebalancing his NATURAL chemistry.  Here is what I recommend to friends with children who are having ADD, ADHD and Autistic "symptoms":

http://www.micronutra.com/synaptol.html?kbid=3217&img=m_bannersynaptol.jpg

Treat you child naturally first...you can always have him take the meds later if needed, but if it were my child...I would avoid meds like the plague.  If you want more info, you can also go to vitaminmagi.com.

Live Well, Be Healthy - concernedmom!