My son was speech delayed, sensory issues and anxiety. He took anxiety medication when he was 4 years old for Selective Mutism. He was not able to speak in school. He had difficulty joining a group. We slowly, had him in swimming at age 3. Progressed to small groups at the YMCA. Last year, he did great in T-ball and soccer.
He is 7 going on 8. He is doing excellant. His motor skills are really good and he looks more advanced than other kids who never had occupational therapy. He is keeping up or looking ahead of his peers.
He is in special education class because he can't read and his memory is poor.
What I always did as a parent was move him along. I try not to enable him. I try not to coddle him too much. I keep him moving along trying new things.
Your description of your son gives me a couple notes. Firstly, kids with learning problems very often misread social cues. I like the book "Its so much work to be your friend" by Richard Lavioe which describes social problems along the lines of ADHD.
Secondly, is he shy or anxious? Has social anxiety been ruled out? Ask the physician to take the survey for the BASC II test in addition for the Conners survey for ADHD. I do a survey with a teacher and myself as a parent and each one gets a score each year.
It's is possible to have more than 1 diagnosis. Anxiety goes in a circle too because it manifests itself from the original disorder or the learning problem.
Also, the speech therapist at school can conduct a social skills group during recess time. Ask about it if your child is the type to stand alone during recess time.
Let us know what you think.
Annette
