Can anyone give advice to my cousin?

[misterfredrogers]

Can anyone give help or advice to what my poor demented cousin can do .Her daughter is 8 NT academically able yet for years now is finding it hard to cope and get any relevant help for her now 6 year old son .He is always in trouble at school ,the latest incidents are hitting ,biting other children and although he is only year 1 he is actively playing with year 6 children who appear to be egging him on with dares.He is always trying to steal and hide things and tends in general to go against the grain with all behavior norms as if he dares to do what is wrong or maybe doesnt register what is wrong no matter what he is told or no matter how many different punishment techniques are used naughty steps etc .He is very sporty and seems to have no fear of danger when using playground equipment ,he shows signs of being Dyslexic (my cousin his mum is )and shows no interest in school work ( he has been put on a hour a week reading program..I think a government iniative), he has a short fuse when he gets frustrated...yet he hasnt had any formal diagnosis and the school ed psch has just said he is abit emotionally inmature so no more is being done at present .My cousin is now at breaking point to what she can do ....ANY IDEAS ..IT seems all areas are different ..my sons diagnosis of AS(my cousin little boy is so so different almost opposite to J ??? but from my experience has certainly got some issues that need support and help) almost fell on our laps we didnt have to fight the system...they live in HERTFORDSHIRE.SHOULD SHE PUT PRESSURE ON GP??????

[Frangipani]

Hi,

 

I imagine the quickest way to get the right help would be to get a referral to a Paediatrician that specialises in AS and ADHD, it sounds like ADHD to me, but there are many things to take into consideration before they can start making any assumptions. It could also be food allergies. So many things need to be ruled out and the Paediatrician is truly the one that could observe him and get things moving asap. We have had the same Paediatrician for 18 years he is worth his weight in gold. He waves a magic wand for us and moved many many mountains, educational, specialists, you name it. They have an ability to speed up paperwork.

 

I suggest you get your cousin to try and do a milestone diary, and note down any quirky behaviours or things he may have done to put himself at risk or harm. His ability to follow instructions, moods, just things that really stand out. Don't sweat on it too much, a good Paediatrician will ask you many questions anyway and get this information out of you till he/she gets to the root of the problems and as well as that they will refer you to the necessary people for assessments.

 

Even get letters from the teachers from the year or previous years or take any school reports. Preschool, anything here, any early invention she may have followed up in the past.

 

The most important thing is trying to figure out when she noticed some of the problem behaviours too.

 

Often when you have a girl first then a boy you naturally thing, oh this is how boys are, but when you see them interacting then you start to realise oh maybe not all boys are this busy.

 

Hope some of this helps.

 

[mummy]

your poor cousin. she sounds like hse has a very tiring little boy.

I think she should put pressure on. I would suggest her health visitor in the first instance. I am no expert but have lots of personal experience and it sounds to me as if he may have ADHD. the behaviours, the lack of social skills, the possible dyslexia. I would definitely investigate further.

[Kazzen161]

ADHD also came to my mind. It woudl be worth getting a referral to CAMHS or similar via school nurse/GP or Health Visitor.

 

A Yr 1 child frequently playing with Year 6 children would not be encouraged at our school.

[pookie170]

Egad, it sounds like your cousin's got her hands full. I'd definitely advise her to go to her GP and try and access help that way-or a paediatrician, for that matter. It certainly sounds like he needs a bit of help to work out whats expected of him and how to achieve that. He actually sounds very like my friends little boy, I posted a request for advice on him a while back. His school is finally starting to try and get to the bottom of things, and his parents have gone back to their GP to request a referral to CAMHS.

 

I would also think it'd be a good idea to go to the school and request help in keeping the year 6 pupils from encouraging the less pleasing behaviours- the school should have thought of that before though!!

Could be ADHD, ODD....there are so many condtions thatshare similar diagnostic criteria, its bamboozling, but I have to say it sounds like he'd benefit from having this investigated. Hope she manages to get something done, I know how wearying this situation can be.

 

Esther x

[misterfredrogers]

Thanks everyone Ive told her to have a read of your replies..she is off too see the head this morning .

[loulou]

Hi,

 

I live in Hertfordshire too, so if i can be of any assistance, feel free to pm me. My son has AS and ADHD.

 

Loulou

[misterfredrogers]

Hi,

 

I live in Hertfordshire too, so if i can be of any assistance, feel free to pm me. My son has AS and ADHD.

 

Loulou

Thanks Lou Lou ..will keep you in mind...school has convinced her not to worry and as their tactics seem to be temporarily working and he has been a good boy so far this week my cousin is breathing a sigh of relief!!!Im sure you will hear from me in the future on this one !