Any advice on talking to teen/preteen about pdd-nos?

We have a son who is 12, diagnosed with pdd-nos, anxiety disorder, and fine motor tics. The psychiatrist also said he was borderline adhd. He has a lot of anger issues at home, but seems to be ok with friends. They think he's pretty cool and funny and when he does do something odd his friends seem pretty forgiving. It's hard to know how they really feel, but they keep coming back. We have tried to talk to him about his diagnosis and any related difficulties, but he really hates talking about it. We have a hard time bringing it up because of this, and yet the woman who meets with him at school repeatedly brings this issue up with us as though we're doing some huge disservice to him. I am just hoping there are others like us who have some input on the best way of dealing with a child this age that does not want to talk about it. We've struggled since he was 2 but didn't get a diagnosis until he was 8, and now I'm worried about what's in store in the teen years. Any comments and suggestions are appreciated.Any advice on talking to teen/preteen about pdd-nos?
I hate to say it, but when you ask a sensible question in this section you get no answers! However this is a tough questions, I don't know what to say (and I'm studying Educational Psychology at university!).

It sounds like you and your family have had a very tough time but from what you've written it sounds like you're not doing too badly.

Have you considered speaking to a child psychologist about this? They had more expertise in this area than a lot of people. Or your son's doctor?

Remember, just because he's not talking about it doesn't mean he isn't thinking about it, he may have difficulty describing how he's feeling.

Good luck!



...Any advice on talking to teen/preteen about pdd-nos?
My only thoughts is your son realizes he's got this, obviously, but he might be embarrassed or feels different. Having an aid with him in classes might make him feel embarrased and like everyone knows for him for his disorder. Same with the woman at his school. He probably wants to focus on fhaving fun with friends and school, and not be constantly reminded he different. I would go into the school and talk to the woman, or to the principal about maybe not bringing it up so frequently. Let him know the aid is there to help, but the aid should give him the feeling of indendence when doing his work..

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