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Concerned over 6 year old development.

Butterflykissesandlicks's picture

First, I am not "bashing" SD6 but looking for advice/ tips on what may be perhaps the problems that I am seeing, but neither of her BP's want to recognize:

I have a 6 year old SD whom I am becoming very worried about. Over the last year, certain things that she should be learning or even noticing about herself, are not happening.

I'll give you a breakdown on what I am talking about. When eating, she can't hold a fork without making her hand into a "fist" and then can't seem to get the fork in her mouth even, so she tries to eat with her hands. She drops foods all over herself and the table/ floor while "scooping" her food on the table, but she does not seem to even "notice" what she is doing to herself. She will let snot run down her face, no matter how many times you tell her to wipe her face. She can't tell you the time or numbers on a clock. She can't tell you names, school name and just scribbles for pictures, (even though she is trying to stay in the lines.) She is trying to write her ABC's but they are sometimes backwards or she can't seem to "grasp" lower case. She forgets things that you told her 10 mins. ago. She needs help keeping her private clean because she will not wipe properly and still can't even bathe herself at all. I am the only one that is paying any attention to these things too. I can't seem to pin down what the problems may perhaps be but something is wrong. I've noticed at the park also that she never notices any other kids? Her face seems to lack certain normal "emotional" features as well. (blank) Instead of playing with toys, she will just "line" them up in a row.

Thank you in advance. I have nicely confronted her father about these issues who only will turn around and blame the mother. Neither of them will do anything and I have no legal rights to intervene.

Butterflykissesandlicks's picture

" sensory integration disorder " ? (lack of sensitivity*)

Butterflykissesandlicks's picture

Dyspraxia possibly. (under-sensitivity) w/ mild ADD symptoms. Still researching.

arjuna79's picture

A pediatric occupational therapist would be able to make an accurate assessment, whether its developmental delays or sensory processing issues; maybe accessing the system thru the schools would be a way in to get her the help she seems to need. Sometimes the kids who can't look at you and hear you at the same time actually have processing delays, we call it the "wiring vs willfullness" behaviors. Good luck with getting her help!

Jsmom's picture

Could be autism or Asperger's. Have her tested. Don't punish or admonish until you are sure it is not something significant. Good luck. Let us know.

Butterflykissesandlicks's picture

Thanks everyone. I relayed my "findings" to my husband. That is about all I can do sadly as a babysitter has more rights than I do.

I am sure this is genetic from her maternal side, after speaking more in depth with DH. He will have to make himself "known" at her school to begin testing, etc.

On the Asperger's, it has come to my attention that SD6 had an uncle with this diagnosis and BM had several operations on an eye as a child. BM's "dad" was her mom's 1st cousin. (yeah)

Mom to 5's picture

My son has Aspergers and they co show signs of clumseyness. Kids with Aspergers also can have sensitivity issues and since it is on the Autistic Spectrum, they can show signs of social akwardness. That being said, Autisim is one of those issues that 'could' mean alot of things. I have another suggestion for you, make yourself available to the school either through requesting an appt with the Teacher/Principle, Volunteering or just showing up at a Parent/Teacher meeting. If the school concurs that the developmental delays are out of the ordinary for the general age of the child, that might give your husband an incentive to have his daughter checked out. The process to get my son a diagnosis was over 4 years - the sooner kids get the appropriate help, the better off their chances of sucessful therapy will be.