I have a four 1/2 year old son. He is an only child and his father and I are split up and have been for about 3 years. I am remarried and my husband and I have been together for about 2 1/2 years or so.
My son's father and I have joint custody. One week on/ One week off. His father lives with his mother and does not have a job so my son is pretty much taken care of by his grandmother when he is over there.
(Just thought that little bit of background may be helpful.)
Anyway, I've always noticed something different about my son. He is very smart. He can count to about 20. He can write his name, read some sight words, add small numbers together, knows all shapes and colors and letter sounds, etc. He is pretty much academically on track.
However, socially he is a little different. He started out VERY shy before he turned 2. He would get real nervous if he was around strangers and in a crowd he would just act compulsively and strangely because he was so nervous.
Now, he is not shy at all, although he does still get nervous around a lot of people and acts without thinking. (Nothing to harm anyone, just stuff that isn't socially normal. ) And it isn't constant just something that he does every once in a while. He may shake his head "no" when someone asks him a question like "What is your name?" he may put his hands over his ears when someone is speaking to him. He might make up funny words when in conversation making it really difficult for people to speak to him.
In school, he does his schoolwork fine. But since day 1 has had trouble with listening. He does not cooperate with group songs and games. He wanders off when he is supposed to be in line. He wont sit like he is supposed to on the floor. I've noticed when I've gone into the room that some of the children have actually made it a habit to grab his hand or to tell him what he is supposed to be doing because he wasn't listening.
The school is a little concerned. We have already started checklists for ADD. The autism team is supposed to be coming to look at him. I just don't think this is the problem. I just don't feel like it is an internal problem. Meaning, I feel like something in his environment can be fixed to help him. The custody issue wont change. one week on/one week off is all that we could agree to. (Because of the selfish grandmother)
He is an only child and had never attended daycare before he went to school. I know that plays a huge part. Both his father and I are pretty quiet people. I've been trying to get him out a little more but before he just didn't get out much other then to go to the store, park or family members house. So that may have something to do with it.
If anyone has experienced anything like this please let me know! I am concerned about my sons social development. And I do not want him to be nervous around people. He is always saying he is scared to go to school. His teacher is very nice and I have been to the classroom and looked in the door without her knowing many many many times. She is awesome to the children. The kids all love my son and treat him good. There is no reason for him to be afraid. It's like it is social anxiety causing him to go into his own little world and not listen. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you. ↓
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