[sueb31]

To the OP
Did they feel the OCD and scarlet fever was linked? (Syndrome called PANDAS). I think there is some evidence that early treatment can help the course, if that's what it is. Just thought I'd mention it.

http://intramural.nimh.nih.gov/pdn/web.htm

Sue

[PhotogMama]

To the OP
Did they feel the OCD and scarlet fever was linked? (Syndrome called PANDAS). I think there is some evidence that early treatment can help the course, if that's what it is. Just thought I'd mention it.

http://intramural.nimh.nih.gov/pdn/web.htm

Sue

PANDAS was actually our very first thought, given the timing etc. however even after 6 weeks on the recommended antibiotics, both the OCD and "ASD tendencies" continued to worsen quickly, we had consults with some of Australia's best PANDAS specialists who also involved their mentors (including a top Paed Neurologist in the US) and even with all of their suggestions, it continued to become more exacerbated and in the end everyone agreed with the ASD diagnosis even though they were so positive to begin with that PANDAS was the only possible reason for it all.

Following a very thorough history, it was obvious my son has exhibited signs on and off his whole life, I had even been concerned enough when he was only 10 months old that I discussed some of his repetitive behaviours, need for routine, over stimulation etc with his Pediatrician at that point but was advised he would likely to end up with an ADHD diagnosis as he got older.

However, this sudden exacerbation was to the extreme - suddenly one morning my son woke up and decided and he was going to spend his life living in a cardboard box (literally - he just sat in it, put pillow and blankets in and attempted to sleep there, ate there, wouldn't talk, just sat in the box - if he needed to go to another room, he would tip it on its side and push it to the other room!), his gait changed, his speech diminished, he could barely put a sentence together and suddenly all of his normal "quirks" were just tenfold, if that makes sense? He went from being a child of 10 who was identified as Gifted, to what I would describe as a 5 year old most of the time, it was just such a drastic change that it worried me a lot, I knew SOMETHING was wrong. It was as if he woke up with an ASD that first day!

I was reluctant in the first weeks to consider an ASD as a possibility, surely I hadn't raised him 10 years without knowing, but within just weeks, it became the only thing that really made sense. I am told the OCD will occur in about 30% of those with an ASD. He has a good Psychologist who is working with him each week, however it has been decided that after 5 months in total if there is no improvement with therapy, he will need medication, and that's not far off now.

As for the toe-walking, thank you all so very much for your input, I can not tell you how much I truly, truly appreciate it!!! I have found a private Physio here in town, but they advised me their waiting list is actually as long as the Public one, so we have an appointment with the GP next week to get a referral. I will also be going shopping tomorrow to buy him some Reefies, I think they might be the best solution, they are quite stiff in the sole and cool enough to help him not overheat, and no hat is not an option apparently (this is pretty new too!!)
Thanks again!

This post has been edited by PhotogMama: 20/12/2012, 08:27 PM