Could my 3 1/2 year old niece have post traumatic stress disorder?

My 3 1/2 year old niece was recently diagnosed with PDD-NOS (Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified). Her biggest issue is that she is 3 1/2 and doesn't talk very much, yet she seems to have an understanding of language. She mostly talks using one of two words at a time (example "mommy's food" etc). She is very intelligent and knows all of her letters, numbers (up to 30), shapes, and colors. She has an incredible memory too. One doctor said that she may even be reading books to herself. She also shows a lot empathy and love for all of her family members, and is getting better and better with dealing with strangers. She doesn't fall into the PDD characterization completely, which is was they are saying Not Otherwise Specified.



My dad (her grandfather) brought something to my attention tonight: he was over visiting with my niece and her dad (who is recently divorced from my sister) and noticed how tense my niece got when her dad was yelling at the tv while watching a sports game. My dad had a distinct memory of when my niece was 6 months old and crawling on the floor and collapsed to the ground when he dad started to yell while on the phone (he's a lawyer); this made my niece shake with fear. Her dad is a good dad to her, but he was a bad husband....and has many personal issues. He yells a lot. I'm sure that while he and my sister were still married, during my niece's first two years of development, he probably yelled every single day. He yelled at her mom, too.



Now, do you think that my niece's issues with speech could be a result of the this early life trauma?



Don't worry, my niece is currently seeing a speech therapist, an occupational therapist and goes to a special school - we are not seeking our answers through yahooanwers alone. This new idea of her being possibly traumatized by her dad's excessive yelling has got me thinking. It's sort of a sore subject, so I don't want to bring it up to my sister just yet. She's going through enough.



Thank you.Could my 3 1/2 year old niece have post traumatic stress disorder?
Possibly, but it is more a matter for a p(a)ediatriaian, or developmental psychologist to determine. There is a quiz for the presence of P.T.S.D., via http://psychcentral.com It is meant for those who have verbal skills, though. Some of the symptoms include "flashbacks", hypervigilance, sleep disorders, especially nightmares, and just staring blankly. I suggest that you view the posts on PTSD, at http://your-mental-health.8m.com/blank_2… and page Q. Also see page W, about autism. It may help, and wouldn't harm her, to optimise her vitamin D3 levels. Check out http://vitaminDcouncil.org (even http://www.webmd.com recognises the expertise of Dr. J. Cannell in it). Consider signing up for his free Enewsletter, and from Mercola.com as well.



59% of Americans are deficient in the extremely important vitamin D3, with their lowest levels occurring in late winter, and early spring. People with the lowest levels are 11 times more likely to suffer depression. In the winter months, if not getting sufficient daily exposure to strong light, see http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articl… Go to a doctor and ask for a 25(OH)D, also called 25-hydroxyvitamin D, blood test. When you get the results, don’t follow the typical “normal” reference range, as these are too low. The OPTIMAL value that you’re looking for is 45-52 ng/ml (115-128 nmol/l)". The company which tests your levels has to be one of those using the correct form of test, and this topic is addressed via the searchbar at Mercola.com - "vitamin D3; testing".



Dr. J. Cannell, of the VitaminDcouncil.org advises that the co-factors necessary to optimise its absorption, and utilisation are magnesium, zinc, boron, and vitamin K2. I recommend using either health food/vitamin stores, or Googling: " ... ; supplies" rather than risking any old, or substandard products at supermarkets, or even on pharmacy shelves. The best dietary source of vitamin K2 is natto. ~~~ Grassrootshealth D action www.grassrootshealth.net/daction offer cost price postal 25(OH)D testing ($40)



10,000iu/daily is generally regarded as safe daily upper limit (for adults! - around 2000iu daily for someone her age) and it is worth checking AFTER you have been using effective strength supplements for 3 months to make sure you have achieved as safe level according to Dr Mercola's suggestions.



Once our 25(OH)D levels are over 50ng/ml the D3 surplus to our daily needs (around 4000iu) is stored in tissues. It therefore makes no difference if you take your vitamin D3 once daily or more times daily. It is a fat soluble substance and once absorbed into the body has a half life of over 3 weeks. This means in practice taking vitamin d at weekly intervals is sometimes a good idea. The only people who NEED to take vitamin D3 daily are pregnant or nursing mothers to ensure an even and steady supply to the baby.



You certainly don't need to take vitamin D more than once daily. http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articl… Avoid vitamin D2! She could also try the GFCF/low oxalate diet.