Does PDD diagnosis make sense when only autistic symptom is hand flapping?

We never had an issue with our son until kindergarten, although he would occasionally flap his arms and hands when excited, and he did show signs of ADD at an early age. He was in constant motion, but his verbal ability is off the charts high, and he was exceptionally social and popular.



For kindergarten, we decided to send him to a local religious school because the school is well respected. It was a disaster. First, without telling us in advance, the school placed him in the class with children who either had already turned 6 or were about to turn 6. They did this because of his high verbal skills, but it was a problem because our son hadn't turned 5. The other children were not only a head taller than our son, but clearly more mature. Also, the program was developmentally a problem for him. He was required to sit for 30 min. increments at his desk working. He couldn't do it. He would fidget, bang his pencil, make odd noises, and the like. It wasn't clear if this was caused by ADD or because developmentally he didn't belong in that class. Despite being a disturbance, he was by the school's own admission, learning well.



Six weeks into the school year, the school said that he had to moved from the class into pre-K. That is when things got really bad. The age range in the new class was much better, but he had a chip on his shoulder and his old friends started to call him "baby." Worse yet, they placed him in the class with the true problem children, including several boys with serious behavior problems. Not only did our son's fidgeting not stop, but now he started running around the class. Also, it was clear that one of the boys was a bully. Our son decided that the best way to cope with the bully was to act like him, and to compound problems, he started misbehaving and talking back to the teacher. At home, all of the odd and bad behavior disappeared. He was his wonderful self.



We had him professionally evaluated, and he was diagnosed with ADHD - inattentive type. We tried to work the school, but they said that they had a "zero tolerance" for fidgeting. We found a new school for the following year, and when the bad behavior started spilling over at home and in the playground, we pulled him out since he had to repeat kindergarten anyway. At the same time, we sent him to a child psychologist to work on better conflict resolution skills and learning how to attend better.



All was going well with therapy. The psychologist said that he saw the charming child we described. He also said that much of our son's problems were because he was both bullied, and treated terribly by the school itself, which we knew. Even the ADHD symptoms were subsiding. Then, the arm flapping started during a couple sessions.



Now the psychologist did an about face and said that he now knows that our son doesn't have ADHD. Instead, it is PDD-NOS. We think that this absurd! The child has wonderful friends, and aside from the bully doesn't have conflicts with other children. He has awesome verbal skills, a wonderful imagination, and no sensory deficits. Yet, the psychologist said that because of the arm flapping, he realizes that what appeared to be ADHD was really not, and that our son is autistic.



Can a child have ADHD and occasional arm flapping, and still only have ADHD?Does PDD diagnosis make sense when only autistic symptom is hand flapping?
I have two sons. One PDD-NOS, the other, ADHD. No teacher, school administrator, therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist can diagnose autism properly. The only, matter of fact, expert in this area is the Developmental Pediatrician. Not an ordinary Pediatrician, mind you. There is at least three years difference between their training. Your first mission is to seek out a Dev.Ped. and setup an appointment. They are usually very busy because they are few and it will take a long waiting period before the actual date.



Although both ADHD and PDD-NOS fall under the Autism spectrum, management is a whole lot different between the two. My PDD-NOS son, who is highly functional, had to undergo a seemingly endless list of therapy sessions without any medication. He has shown marked improvement and is now attending regular high school, delayed only by a year. He is still attending reading comprehension tutorials and is about to start in a sports clinic to improve his awkward and zen-like slow motion.



My ADHD has all the classic symptoms except the hyperactive part, which shows in his over talkativeness. So far, he is managing school and social life normally. His Dev.Ped. has already warned us to observe him very well in case his performance drops as he will most likely be prescribed with medication to help him concentrate better in his studies. So far, there has been no need for it yet. He is second-ranked in his class even if he spends very little time studying.
Sounds like a hand flapping ****** to meDoes PDD diagnosis make sense when only autistic symptom is hand flapping?
The religious school experience sounds traumatic. With good social communication skills, physical coordination, and showing that he can respond (age level) to others non-verbal communication, some of these minor behaviors can be result of that bad experience. Learning well and having friends sounds like he is just emotionally sensitive bright child.



A good developmental hands on social fun learning environment is best for children. A Waldorf school maybe ideal if he is bright and social. I bet there'll be no problems with him there..



Learning should be functional, social skill development, physical skill development, coorporative play, critical , strategic thinking and fostering of love of learning at this point..
Call your public school district's main number and ask for an appointment with their Special Ed/Child Find group.



My district holds a bi-annual Child Find screening - an initial review of speech, OT and academics was done. Then we were called back in for a full formal evaluation using objective measured tests.



In the end, we got 3 comprehensive reports mentioning autism tendencies and SPD. We also got an IEP with specific goals.

It's a starting point for us. My son will be given a sit-n-squirm chair cushion to help keep him settled, he will sit in the front of the class, and the teacher will give him time to answer questions, etc.



Since this is kindergarten, work with your public school - they are qualified and there is a defined process with defined outcomes.Does PDD diagnosis make sense when only autistic symptom is hand flapping?
he may have sensory processing disorder/sensory integration disorder





in gteh US

evenif he is in provate school you can ask for an evaluation for special ed and realted services throguh the public school...this shoudl include an evbaluation by an occupatioanl services...if he is found to be qualified for services--you amy be able to keep him in a private school, but arrnage for OT throguh teh public school



it is possibel it is mild pdd--some kids with autism are very social and have above average language
Your child is in school your child needs a school evaluation. Yes your child could be a range of different alphabet things- and what he presents today could be different than tomorrow.



The school will have strategies programs and supports - the MD could prescribe meds if he thinks they might be effective.



Don't rule them out - this is a critical time in your child's life getting a good start - at any price is worth it. Many of the folks on this list will suggest diets and other such things - so if you are going to try something - evaluate after 6 weeks and see if anything is better - if not - move on to something else - not everything works for every child but I HAVE been in this field a long long time and I've seen the Right Meds and the right time, with the right strategies - work wonders.



Many of the Neurobiological things can coexist so your child could be more than one thing.