There is a little boy at Hannah's school, D, who she gets along with famously. He lets her boss him around, rarely says no, and when he says no he explains why and digs his heals in and won't budge. He is her one true friend I would say. There's NEVER been a full blown argument between them. He is a year older than Hannah, and his older brother is ADHD.
This little boy is lovely and mild-mannered. However...he avoids eye contact, speak in an odd tone, has poor speech - but fantastic vocabulary. Worries constantly about adult thing - he recently asked his mother if he could live with her longer so he could save for a house, fridge, washing machine etc. And also so he'd have enough money to buy food. He told her he'd get his license and would drive her around, and that he'd help her around the house. BTW - he's 7 years old. He has certain small routines that can't be broken, doesn't like things to be touched (someone ripped a piece of his paper and he 'raged' for 24 hours). He is so similar to Hannah, but so much more than her...like his symptoms are more obvious.
Having said that, his mother doesn't seek a dx, because she doesn't have any problems with him. I sought external help for Hannah when her tantrums got progressively worse, until I thought that, at 6 years old, she might actually kill me.
D doesn't rage explosively. He shuts down, doesn't make eye contact at all - when he does it is pure hatred. He refuses to speak...he can be coaxed out of this with the right incentive...and then it's like nothing ever happened.
Because of his methods of dealing with his anger and frustration, I was wondering if he would be ASD/Asperger's at all? Do any of these kids just 'shut down'? Or are they all explosive?
Hannah presents quite typically, but D doesn't when it comes to tantrums...
Any information would be greatly appreciated
31 Mar 2007, 5:46 pm
