Is my Five year old son's behavior normal?

Question

My five year old son seems to have a problem that I haven't noticed in any of his classmates. He's very silly, and sometimes doesn't listen very well, but it goes beyond that. Frequently, he goes of into his own little world and you can't seem to pull him out. He'll be staring off into space, and even if you call him multiple times it takes a big jolt to bring him back. You ask what he was thinking about, and he'll either say 'nothing' or something silly. Sometimes you talk to him and it's like he just doesn't hear you even when looking right at you. He's never had problems with schoolwork or sitting down so I don't think it's ADD, he's very social so I don't think it's autism, so i just don't know. He has some other weird quirks- since he was small he doesn't like noises . . .some can literally send him into a hands-over-ears crying fit. He gets distracted very easily and never wants to be alone ever. Any ideas? Good questions to ask the doc? I don't know where to begin.

Answer 1

Never wants to be alone and is very social, hmmm-sounds exactly like Autism. Oh-wait-no it doesn't. It sounds like you have some concerns. It could be that he doesn't get enough sleep-day dreaming and noises become more pronounced in children suffering sleep deprivation.

Children with adenoids that are not functioning properly often exhibit ADHD like symptoms. Children who are lactose intolerant can exhibit symptoms that range from daydreaming to learning disabled and can often be misdiagnosed. He may have allergies-bottom line-before someone here decides he needs a lobotomy, shock treatment and medication-go to a good pediatrician. Try to always work with diet and sleep schedules first. Hope all works out well-take care.

Answer 2

I think he might just be going through a stage or something he might have add or adhd have him tested for it because I have a little cousin that has adhd and she has no trouble sitting still shes extreamly talkitive and acts realy silly all the time though and I'm the same way

Answer 3

i would be looking at peti mal seizures. This is what that sounds like. Ask for a referral to a neurologist

Answer 4

it was the same with my sister i am sorry but he most likely has ADD

go to a doctor they will prescibe some pill for him and you  will see a big change (FYI, the pillls wont hurt him in any way)

Answer 5

It sounds exactly like autism.  Either PDD or aspergers.  I have both, my oldest son is PDD my middle aspergers.  Both my sons fit the above descriptions.  My oldest is older and my middle is younger.  I would have him evaluated by a neurologist.  High functioning autistics are extremely social, they are impulsive, not always politically correct, and socially are a little more immature than their peers.  The silliness, great sense of humor, spacing off all spectrum.  The ADD features you describe most likely are related to his sensory issues with the distractibility and noises.  OT will work with that.  My son also looked like he may need some attention meds even at 6, it wasn't till he was seven (when the sensory system really starts coming together) that he no longer looks hyperactive.  Your pediatrician is not a specialist and will probably tell you he looks fine wait it out.  Don't.  The earlier you get intervention the better his lifelong functioning level will be.  Autism is not a bad diagnosis, your son is high functioning at least and will be fine, but intervention would make it easier for him.  Denial by not finding out if he has it is stroking your needs not his.  I am sure that by asking a question you want to put your child first and do all you can to help him.  Don't let uninformed people tell you it is not spectrum.  I am extremely informed and it is a possibility, sensory integration most likely, however they are frequent comorbidities.  Also a fan of Kranowicz, I have even heard her speak at a conference.  Go to http://www.childbrain.com for a free in depth questionnaire.  Both my sons come up in the mild range of PDD, my oldest just missing the cutoff to typical by a few points.   If his scores come up autism then look into it.  My pediatrician flat out said no my oldest is not on the autistic spectrum, she was wrong.  He was 18 months old responded to his name had eyecontact, liked to be held, smiled ect. but did play with toys inappropriately, liked a small variety of toys, repeated things over and over, found things extremely funny that werent, and had sensory issues.  If you put this question in another category like mental health, I suspect you will get aspie coming up all over the place by responders. EDIT keep in mind that a label or diagnosis does not change the level of functioning of the child but provides further understanding for the teachers (and parents) directly working with him, and on the flipside denying a problem does not improve the level of functioning either.  I say if someone is being rained on, give them an umbrella, its just logical

Answer 6

It doesn't sound like autism to me either.  I would say that he is having petit mal seizures.  It may be helpful to you to have him evaluated by a neurologist.

Answer 7

I know you've been hearing all kinds of dire diagnoses here, but the fact is that many very creative, intelligent kids go into a work of their own when bored or distracted.

My child was exactly like yours when she was five.  We had many busy-bodies very happy to tell us that something was terribly wrong with her.    Turned out she was just very smart, very creative, and not well served by the one-size-fits-all curriculum most schools force on their students.

My husband is the same, BTW.  He is a physicist.

If you are concerned, by all means talk with your son's doc.  

But don't let anyone decide that your son has ADD or autism because he is outside the box.

Be well.

Answer 8

Give him a sketch pad and some pencils....

My son is like that, and if he's got his stuff, he'll draw the craziest stories! Make sure you're ready to hear all about it afterwards! Once he improves his vocabulary in English and ARabic, I'll have him writing stories in no time!

Answer 9

I would talk to the Dr.  It could be seizure (the staring off into space) or it could still be a form of autism as there are many different types.  Could be just a Pervasive Developmental Disorder.  Could be many things so it would be best to just talk to your pediatrician about getting him in to see a behavorial health specialist.

Answer 10

discuss your concerns with the teacher and pediatrician.

Answer 11

I would first ask his teacher what she/he thinks if they have been teaching for awhile than then have seen it all. My sons old teacher, Kindergarten (her first year teaching) said that he had ADHD, But his teacher this year, first year (she has been there 30+ years, I had her in first grade) said that he was a normal 7 year old boy. If his teacher thinks that there is some type of problem then they will let you know and go to the Dr. I know for ADHD you have to have tests done at school, that's why I say ask to school. Good luck

Answer 12

I think it sounds like sensory processing disorder. My son has it. When he gets overstimulated he reacts in one of two ways- he acts silly and won't listen or he withdraws and tunes everything out. He also can't stand noise and throws an absolute fit if someone touches his hair or the tags on his clothes are itchy. He will only eat certain foods and still gags on some things even though he's 5. He seems spoiled to someone who is ignorant of his condition but in reality the problem is that part of his nervous system is not functioning as it should. The book "The Out of Sync Child" by Carol Stock Kranowitz has been like my bible- you might want to check it out. I read it before I took my son to the doctor and thought "Oh my God! That's my kid!" LOL. It was nice to finally have some answers. Even if your son doesn't end up having SPD you may find the book helpful considering he exhibits some similar behaviors to a child with the disorder. You can see parts of it at this link, including a "Does my child have SPD?" section with a checklist-

http://books.google.com/books?id=3gtL9Xa...

Good luck to you and your son! =]

EDIT: I also wanted to add that I also agree with the person who answered directly above me. He may just be a quirky, free-spirited kid. I had to give you some info on SPD because he sounds so much like my son though- especially the throwing fits with his hands over his ears because of noise- we've been there. Either way don't let anyone slap a diagnosis on him without doing your own research first- as moms we know our babies better than anyone else. =]