Extremely moody, emotional and frequent
Find a Conversation
Extremely moody, emotional and frequent
| Fri, 09-15-2006 - 1:02am |
temper tantrums? Are these common in Asperger children? My older son has just been diagnosed and now my younger son seems to be having the same problems....difficulty focusing in Kindergarten (he's five), hyperactivity, and just plain bouncing off the walls the past couple of days when he gets home from school. My older son seems to have more of the social problems, lack of eye contact, etc. My younger son has so much intensity me and dh are worn out! He will scream if you tell him no, and sometimes lash out and hit people like his older brother or us. Although, that's been getting better. He also has some hand flapping that he does when he's excited, and he runs back and forth. He has already been diagnosed with a speech delay, as has my older son.
Does this sound like Aspergers? Also, how were your children diagnosed? I'm going to bring my younger one into a neurologist, just because then the school tried to do some testing on him, he couldn't sit still so it came back inconclusive.
Thanks!
Amy
Does this sound like Aspergers? Also, how were your children diagnosed? I'm going to bring my younger one into a neurologist, just because then the school tried to do some testing on him, he couldn't sit still so it came back inconclusive.
Thanks!
Amy


First, yes on the moody temper tantrums. Particularly when stressed or during stressful times (like the beginning of the school year).
My oldest is much better now and only goes through this when she is having a tough time about something so middle school has been a major challenge this way. But she was fabulous over the summer and rarely had meltdowns through most of elementary school. She only did in years where she was stressed in school (particularly 1st and 3rd grade) When she was little however, it was nearly constant. Particularly before she was able to communicate more effectively.
My son has more frequent behavioral outbursts but his meltdowns are much shorter than his sister typically but more severe. He can have significant behavior problems. It is worse when he is stressed as well. Kindergarten was ......OYE! Every day after school he would lose it as soon as I picked him up.
There is lots we do for both of them on an ongoing basis for this. Diet, supplements, teaching, behavior management plans, and just understanding who they are and what thier needs are, sensory diet, etc. It all has helped and we have made loads of progress but it is a lot of work.
A neuropsychologist diagnosed my daughter and a neurologist diagnosed son. We also work with a clinical psychologist who has confirmed the diagnosis and infact changed my sons to high functioning autism which fits him better. There regular ped is also a developmental ped who has also confirmed thier diagnosis as have other professionals. LOL, every new person like to give thier 2 cents on how they agree. However, all three of the major ones specialize in ASD's. If you are going for a diagnosis, I would find a professional who specialized in autism. Either a developmental ped, clinical psychologist, neurologist, neuropsychologist or even better a full autism evaluation team at a childrens hospital or similar.
Renee
One of the many things I love about Renee...after she responds, there is no need for me to!
Although I will agree that the moodiness and emotional outbursts are common in our house. Our DD has suddenly decided that it's unacceptable for people to praise her. She'll be walking down the hall, a teacher will say something like, "Great job following directions, Claire!" And she'll go into a hysterical screaming fit of, "No! I'm not good, I'm bad. Say nice try, Claire. Nice try." It's irrational, unexplainable, and sad...but the staff is learning to deal with it.
Like Renee's family we've had Dx's from different sources. Noah was originally Dx'd as PDD-NOS by a psychiatrist who was worthless, IMHO. Took him to a psychologist who confirmed the dx, but thought Aspergers was more likely. Then we switched him to another psychiatrist, who we love, and she said it's no doubt Asperger's. Claire was originally Dx'd through an Easter Seals autism program, then the Dx was confirmed through the 2nd psychiatrist.
Good Luck.
Dear Amy,
They are common. Life raising an ASD child would be much easier if temper tantrums were not a part of a child losing control because of sensory overload. Always remember that an ASD child does not WANT to have a temper tantrum. When they throw them, something is really wrong, whether it seems that way to you or not. Finding ways to lower stress, help integrate sensory overstimulation, keep the understanding of situations and expectations as clear as possible, and offer coping mechanisms in advance of the child losing temper --- that is a moment-to-moment description of living with a child on the spectrum!
Your younger child is also exhibiting some red flags. We went to a neuropsychologist who specialized in dx'ing ASDs. A neurologist may not always be the best diagnostician, unless ASDs are also their area of expertise. We had our son extensively tested at ages 3 and 5 by the schools and noone even went anywhere near autism, dx'ing anxiety and language delays. At age 7, he received the dx PDD-NOS from the full neuropsych eval, which is in his case meaning both "yes" and "no" to autism. But the part of him that is autistic does cause him trouble and he can still at age 9 have temper tantrums ... although WAY more seldom now.
Let us know how things are going. And welcome to the board.
yours,
Sara
ilovemalcolm