[mj77]

Hi All,
I posted this on another thread and on another site in hopes to get feedback from any of you parents or experts that might have experienced some of these things in your own children:

My son was placed at 13 mo old he is now only 4 in July '05. We thought he first had Sensory Integration Dysfunction (which I am absoloutely convinced: tactile, vestibular and oral) while his Pediatrician and Psychologist are really thinking ADD and BP--in addition to SID, and are recommending a psychiatrist to look into treating him for such. 3/5 of his bsibs are treated for BP and ADHD so far and his bmom has both as well in addition to ODD. It's unknown about the Bfather but he seems rageful and manic by my son's file. Both bparents are meth and cocaine users. My son's symptoms that have raised some red flags are:

His carb cravings (he can eat any kind of bread almost prepared anyway). Though it seems he has oral sensory issues as he stuffs food until his mouth is consumed. He will demand certain foods like ice cream and yogurt and become angry if he can't have them.

Violent tantrums. I didn't know that it wasn't normal for a tantrum to last in excess of 45 min without defusing but rather more persistant and impulsive--hitting kicking biting spitting screaming etc..

Difficulty sleeping. He used to take up to 2 hours to go to sleep as he has racing thoughts and can't settle down. Bedtime has been a battle for us. DH and I got it down to 45 min now on average. He sleeps 9 hours a day though. No naps unless in the car (he can sleep within 5 min by the sound of the car) Though from what I've read he is getting more sleep than stated in some of the information on this site (more than 4-6 hours).

Very impulsive in almost all he does. He is strong willed by nature though too.

I've noted he's been having a pattern. 10-14 days of NORMAL behavior. Normal tantrums, follows directions, everying within reason for a 4 year old. Still has sensory issues but therapy seems to work.

On the other 10-14 days he is off the wall! Out of sync and seems to act beyond our authority. His rages (though he never hits or kicks with full force) last from 5 min to 1 1/2 hours easily and are progressive. If I walk away he will come at me persisting on whatever it was that triggered the tantrum and hitting or kicking me. He seems too zoned out to reason. NOTHING seems to work as far as disapline. It's like he really just DOES NOT get it. It's not clicking with him though he does hear me. Then when the rage is over he is usually calm and wants to play quietly with me. Yet he can still be sneaky and repeat his initial request (where my answer can just send him into a rage again.)

Durring both of these blocks of days, he is affectionate and loving at times and can listen and be reasoned with. He is extremely bonded to me and my DH and will even tell me he is sorry sometimes after doing what he does followed by a kiss, hug or a snuggle.

Though these are the ONLY symptoms of BP I have seen. Do any of you think that this really could be BP? Could it be something else? Do I sound like a mom in denial? I certainly don't want to be. I just want to know other parents thougts on these behaviors. How do you tell these things from ADD or SID? Is it more likely these symptoms are caused by genetics or drug effects. My son was exposed to meth and cocaine in utero the first trimester by his bmom. Or is there something else this sounds like. I would just appreciate anyone's input.

Thanks!

[mj77]

I should add that he seems to hold himself together in pre-school or EI (2 1/2 hours per day) with only a reminder or so about bump and crash play on with the trucks. Some sensory issues are still prevelent. And sometimes he has to be asked a few times by a teacher to do something. He also, for the most part, plays well with other kids and has pretty good manners. Is this odd?

[Dr. Art]

No one can make that assessment based on a few behaviors and without a comprehensive professional assessment. I'd strongly urge you, since you have legit questions, to get an assessment by a competant provider. You can find such a person at www.attach.org on their list of registered clinicians.

regards

[mj77]

Thank you. I am currently awaiting the referal of the psychiatrist that the psychologist has recommended. I guess I'm looking for parents who have experienced similar symptoms with thier children that might be able to relate. I am trying to figure out how to parent some of these issues in the mean time as well.

Thanks again.

[Dr. Art]

A few relevant books you might want to look at are:

For Sensory Integration: The Out of Sync Child

For Bipolar Disorder: The Bipolar Child

For Attachment:
Creating Capacity for Attachment
Building the Bonds of Attachment

regards

[mj77]

Thank you. I have read the Out of Sync Child which was very helpful. I will check out The Bipolar Child. I appreciate the resourses.

MJ