How do u know when your lil one is sick?
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How do u know when your lil one is sick?
| Tue, 06-14-2005 - 1:56pm |
Sam was three in Feb. He was diagnosed a week before he turned two.
| Tue, 06-14-2005 - 1:56pm |
Sam was three in Feb. He was diagnosed a week before he turned two.
I know in my family, that the drainage from sinues (caused by allergies) has lead to numerous ear/eye/and tonsil infections depending on ther person.
Add that in to my family's ability to have infections without running an actual fever and it makes an interesting diagnosis.
Usually I can tell when my boys (5 possible PDD-NOS and 2.5 yo NT) are sick by their behaviors. They act differently.. usually sleeping more or wanting to lay down (they are typically hyperactive). Sometimes they will tell me something hurts but not be able to say what and my oldest will tug at his ears sometimes. I typically go with any strange behaviors that we don't understand = trip to the doctor's office or at least a call to the doc's.
I can tell by behavior too. My kids are older and more verbal now so better at telling me when they don't feel good but not great.
I mention this because my 11yo AS dd had a sinus infection recently and I had no idea. She had been extra crabby and prone to meltdowns and I believe sleeping alot. I took her in and in the physical exam the doctor told me she had a sinus infection. (she could tell by the thick mucus in the back of her throat). Cait's sensory system is way out of whack anyway and often she doesn't feel pain like others do. She also can have a hard time discribing the exact pain and answering questions. Even when the doctor asked her questions I needed to rephrase so Cait would understand. For instance "Do your eye's hurt". Well they didn't hurt and I asked if there was pressure in her eyes. Still no go. So I said, "Cait does it feel like your eyes are big or want to push out of your head?" "Does it hurt if I push on this spot on your cheek" to those was a big yes! She is very precise and had the doctor just gone with Cait's first answers it would have been innacurate.
Mostly, I try to be an investigator. Is there any change in their diet and sleep habits? In thier behavior? What changes? Have they had a cold or allergies recently? Did they fall? It is alot like how you tell with a baby who cannot communicate.
Fortunately as they get older you can ask them specifics like, what part of your body hurts, etc.
Cait still can't tell the difference between, stomach ache - I am going to vomit, stomach ache- I have gas, and stomach-ache - I have cramps.
Renee
Thank you all so much for your replies.
Candice, mom to three amazing kids, Maddy, Sam and Owen
We have had a lot of sinus trouble this past year, since DS entered preschool. We even did a CAT scan in March to look at sinus structures. Adenoids were enlarged, but there were no other problems. His Dad and paternal grandmother both have had to have sinus surgery, so I was half expecting DS to need it too. It's a relief that he doesn't.
As far as identifying DS's infections, I usually notice that he has a discharge from his nose (thick yellowish green). A few days before this discharge, he will show clear discharge. Temperament can vary with the infections, so I never go by that. He does sound different when he breaths at night if there is an infection. In the day, I also notice that he has an odor to his breath. Ear infections were much harder to detect before DS could talk and identify his symptoms.
Since, you have a great pediatrician, who certainly understands autistic kids, I would not hesitate to bring your son in to see the doc whenever you have concerns. At least, the doc can check ears, nose, and throat for you. If there is nothing detected then, you can just chalk it up to the mood swings of these little guys. My son has a very labile mood. For about a year, I tried to analyze all sorts of variables (I am a psychologist) to see what was causing his mood changes. They appeared to be random, although he does go through periods of being more volatile about certain things and then getting over this particular issue. I think his volatility is part of his way of learning new stuff - - not a very adaptive method, but eventually, he seems to get the idea.
Suzi