Julia's Appointment

Symptoms/Examples

Below is the list of concerns I have for Julia, that I will be presenting to her developmental pediatrician tomorrow at her appointment. It's not in full sentences because I was writing just for my own information, so that I would not leave anything out. If I leave this appointment without even a slight mention of the possibility that she has Apserger's, severe sensory integration disorder, or some kind of social anxiety disorder, I will be shocked.

Symptoms: Social

Has difficulty socializing with others, does not know how to join other kids playing, does not seek out her peers, parallel plays, prefers to be by herself, interacts better with teacher/adults than peers, does not seem to understand how to play with others, lack of desire to interact with her peers.

Examples: Julia recently asked to leave a family/friends gathering when unfamiliar people walked in to the room. Her teacher indicates that when given the opportunity Julia does not seek out her peers. Rather, she stands in the middle of the room, unsure of what to do or where to go, even if directions have been given. When and if she makes it over to “play” with another child, she plays next to, but not with them. Her teacher described her interactions with other children as something Julia does not find “pleasurable” and as something she does not seek out. She also said that Julia prefers to be alone most of the time. Julia needs to be reminded at times to make eye contact.

Symptoms: Motor Skills

Hand flapping. Trouble balancing. Unusual gait (still waddle like sometimes). Limited use of “spontaneous” hand/body gestures. Low muscle tone.


Examples: Julia tends to “flap” her hands up and down when excited or over-stimulated. Sometimes she does this with no apparent reason. Julia still tends to walk with a waddle like pattern. She does not point or use other hand/body gestures “spontaneously.” Her muscle tone, though improved, is still low.

Symptoms: Sensory Sensitivities

Sensitive to food textures, stickiness and does not like to be “messy.” Startles even when warned of loud noise coming. Notices noised that others may not, “hyper sensitive” hearing.

Examples: Julia must wash her hands and face immediately if anything stick or messy gets on them. She seems to have an acute sense of hearing and hears things others may not even notice (for example the noises of the night…bugs, frogs etc). Julia will startle, even if she is warned ahead of time that a loud noise is coming. If I turn the vacuum on, she will hide in another room. The toilet can not be flushed if she is still in the room. If I need to call for someone that is in another room and have to raise my voice so that they will hear, I will warn Julia of what I am about to do, and she will still jump or startle when I do it.

Symptoms: Emotional

Does not adjust well to change. Needs excessive reassurance when change does occur. Is fearful of new or unfamiliar situations, to a larger degree than what would be considered normal. Is very anxious about her schedule and questions it frequently. Often gets stuck on something (a thought, situation etc.) and can not seem to change her way of thinking about it. Has amazing long term memory.

Examples: If something in Julia’s routine changes even slightly, she is unable to handle it. She will cry and cling, and has to be forced in to a situation. She is very anxious about her schedule and is constantly questioning what comes next, how long it will be etc. She has a hard time of letting go of things (for example if you were upset with her for something she did, she will think you are still upset with her hours later, even after being reassured that all is well). Julia seems to have a remarkable long term memory and can remember specific times and situations in her life in detail.