I have a little girl who was 4 in March. ( I am her daycare provider) She is very smart, cognitively...knows her letters and can print them, knows some spanish words, knows her numbers. I can say 'what is 2+3' and she can add them on her fingers (most of the time) But socially she is/can be very aggressive and just doesn't fit in. She'll scream at other kids, hit, push and kick them. She has no concept of sharing, wants everything they have says "but I had it first". She has no concept of a 'baby' she treats and will talk to them as if they are the same age as her. The more she's disiplined the worse she gets. Nothing seems to work. She will look right at me....she makes sure I am watching her ( from a distance, if I approach her and get up close she'll avoid the eye contact ) and do exactly what she's not suppose to be doing. Her temper tantrums are starting to get worse and it seems to be over little things. She gives me no eye contact when I try to talk to her, it's like she can't focus in on what I am saying. I can just tell when I am up close talking to her that she just isn't getting it, almost like she is looking past or thru me. I very rarely get one on one eye contact, if I do it is very infrequent. (I'll ask her to look at me, she'll do it briefly and then turn her eyes away, I'll have to keep asking her to look at me) There has always been something a little 'odd' I just can't seem to put my finger on it. I can ask her a question and she'll avoid answering and completely twist things around and start talking about something entirely different. I have a hard time having a normal conversation with her and it isn't because she can't talk...she can...very well. It's more like she simply can't carry on the conversation, it's all about her. I will start talking and she'll pipe in with something totally unrelated. There are days where she will tell me the same thing over and over again. Not in a 'parrot' way though. Example "_______ is my Dad ________ is my Mom, they are my parents. She'll get fixated on this and all thru the day I will hear the same thing, she may change the wording around some though. The next day it may be something else, "apples and oranges are sweet, yum (she'll rub her tummy and lick her lips) I love sweet food". Than again a few days later, I'll hear the parent thing again. She'll even say "Tammy I have something to tell you"..."________is my Dad and ______is my mom, they are my parents" She is starting to 'parrot' copy what the other kids say though (which drives them nuts) but this is a normal kid thing...right??
Food is a big thing of hers also. She LOVES it (well she's picky, but eating is something she absolutely LOVES LOVES LOVES to do. I can fix her plate and if it is something she likes, no matter how much I put on her plate she will eat it all....I've never seen her leave anything that she liked on her plate. I can put a triple serving of something and she will sit there until it is gone where if I only put a single serving she would get down from the table when it was gone, usually not asking for more. Seems to always be hungry, can't wait till 'snack' time even immediately after a meal has been served, although I can ask her what she had the night before for dinner and she can't tell me. She's not as 'graceful' as other kids her age and somewhat clumsy, her motor skills are slightly behind, although she is a bit big for her age so this could be why? Her fine motor skills are also a bit behind. She just learned, within the last 6 months how to grasp a pen/pencil. She can not (not sure if she can't or simply won't) draw a stick man. Her drawings are always scribbles (although she can make letters on demand) She likes to make what she calls 'shapes', or completely color a piece of paper. I am just not sure what is going on with her. Oh, one more thing, her sleeping habits, she will take a 3-4 hour nap and then sleep a 10 hour night. Could she have some autistic characteristics? HOW do I bring this up to her parents? Mom has mentioned taking her to the Dr but has yet to do it. How do I suggest that she be evaluated? And what if I just don't say anything at all??What can I try with her?? I just don't know what to do anymore.
Well if you got this far....thanks :o) I am very open to any suggestions (good or bad)
Tammy ↓
|
|
| Name: Hello | Date: Jul 25th, 2006 10:23 PM |
| I have noticed no one replied to you. I would like to know how you got on. As to mentioning this problem to the parents I would just say that: If there is anything wrong it's better to get diagnosed sooner then later. She can get the help she needs and probably be more receptive to it at a younger age. It's like habbits there harder to break the longer you have them. Let me know how your getting on. ↑ |
| Name: Linn | Date: Aug 2nd, 2006 12:11 AM |
| Hi Tammy - I'd simply tell the parents you are concerned about the child and explain what the concerns are. The child should be evaluted by a specialist and the family doctor can recommend one. Better safe than sorry and if it is Autism the sooner she gets help the better. Best wishes ↑ |
| Name: KellyMarie | Date: Aug 10th, 2006 6:54 PM |
| This sounds a LOT like a client my husband had several years ago with Aspergers! It's always difficult to convince a parent that something may be wrong with their child. Maybe it would help if you read up on how to deal with her behaviors (assuming she has something like Aspergers), for the sake of your own sanity! : ) You may just have to wait until her mother comes to the realization herself that something is off. ↑ |
| Name: LisaM | Date: Aug 11th, 2006 7:23 PM |
Hi Tammy,
I read your story and this child sounds sooo much like my daughter in almost everyway. My child has been diagnosed with autism and adhd with some mild mental retardation. I knew that my daughter had something going on that was different, especially more than adhd. A close friend of mine had been keeping my daughter after work 2 or 3 times and asked me if I had ever thought about autism. Long story short, her hunch was dead on.
Dealing with parents can be touchy but if you feel comfortable enough with them you should sit down and talk. The sooner this child is diagnosed and gets treatment/help, the better. Good luck to you.
Lisa ↑ |
| Name: Tracy74 | Date: Aug 14th, 2006 5:03 AM |
| I sent my son 2 1/2 yrs old to Rainbow Montessori daycare and the teachers there noticed that he didn't respond to his name when they called him....no eye contact and very active...His speech was delayed too....The teachers mentioned that to me and suggested to take him to Dr. He's been evaluated with PDD-NOS and end of this month he will be diagnosed with autism. He's 3 yrs old now, still with the school but he also attends special education for behaviors and speech therapy. He's so much better with his behaviors now but he can't talk yet...I remember there was one teacher who talked alot...she just kept telling and complaining so much about our son. It bothered us and we decided to get him tested. Now thanks to the teachers....He was in the toddler class and the teachers moved him up to preschool (he's potty-trained ) and the new teachers told me he's doing very well...However, I never told the teachers that my son is on the austim spectrum...I just told them he needs to go for speech therapy 2 hrs everyday. He was eligible for the early start program. He'll be with school district in Sept. I think you should try to let the parents know. They will understand. ↑ |
| Name: angelagarvis | Date: Jan 13th, 2007 5:35 PM |
| She sounds a lot like my child. have the parents try a book called when my woories get too big and the 5 point scale. Let me know ↑ |
|
|
