Did your DC with “toddlers diarrhea” go on to have other needs?

[Anonymous]

DS3 has outgrown what can only be described as toddler’s diarrhea. (We did tons of gastro testing and never found a reason). We are very relieved but now other things are popping up: weakness in his hands, struggles riding a scooter, tons of hand chewing—and preschool reports he often answers with non-sequiturs.

We’re doing OT and it’s all pretty speculative…might be some low tone in hands, core or mouth. Pediatrician sees nothing wrong.

I’m wondering if anyone has connected their toddlers diarrhea with a greater cluster of symptoms related to tone or development?

Thanks in advance for any insights

[Anonymous]

Tons of kids with SN have GI issues (including kids with ASD who don’t necessarily have low tone), so while the two could be separate, I think it’s plausible there might be a connection. Regardless of whether the GI stuff is connected, it sounds like you have some concerns that might warrant evaluation.

Also, has anyone considered spina bifida? A child I know with ongoing diarrhea was later diagnosed with a mild form of it.

[Anonymous]

I do know someone with GI issues and low tone and other SN, but the GI issues were present from infancy. Turned out to be a rare genetic condition.

[Anonymous]

Can you say more about the weakness in hands, and the non-sequiturs?

I don't think struggling with a scooter at age 3 is cause for concern. Is he a young 3 or an old 3? Is it a three-wheel scooter?

The hand-chewing is also not a major red flag for a young 3, especially if it's combined with getting molars.

[Anonymous]

OP back. Thank you, everyone. He is newly 3. The non-sequiturs are something we don’t see at home. Teachers report that in class he often struggles to answer questions or says something unrelated to the topic at hand. He has been “cleared” by audiologist and ST. I think he may be overwhelmed or that they are over-interpreting typical kid things…or he is afraid of answering incorrectly. But they see a potential “processing issue”.

The hand strength concerns are more apparent. He struggles to squeeze glue, has terrible scissor skills and tires easily with anything athletic (but is capable and coordinated for short periods). We are working with an OT. Speculation about “low tone” but unclear who would actually diagnose that.

I guess I’ve been wondering if his motor skills and strength may just get better the way his GI symptoms have…or if there is some sort of larger laxity issue that connects things. The GI issues were pretty bad and somehow just went away.

[Anonymous]

Well, I do think low tone can improve as the kid grows older. Or they figure out ways to compensate.

Could be he had low tone in his digestive tract muscles. Or he was eating something that didn't agree with him and has stopped and you don't know what it was. Like if a grocery item manufacturer changes their ingredients.

I would focus on the OT and give the speech a little time.

[Anonymous]

My oldest at that age was constipated, had low tone and a speech delay, and did not respond correctly to questions. It turned out he had inattentive ADHD and (high-functioning) autism. He received PT, OT, and speech therapy as a toddler and preschooler, and then I enrolled him in gym for toning and ballet for coordination. He had handwriting lessons for his dysgraphia. He was not able to participate in team sports because his reaction time was so slow. Was eventually medicated for the ADHD, had social skills training and narrative support for his ASD.

My youngest had diarrhea from an early age. We found a lactose intolerance and unfortunately, a serious auto-immune disease.

Point is - it could be anything, OP. You need to do bloodwork, try some elimination diets and also keep an eye on possibly ADHD and autism profiles. Also address the tone and spatial awareness issues. It matters for so many things like writing, posture, and driving skills. Teaching my oldest how to drive was an exercise in "WHY DID YOU THINK YOU HAD TIME TO EXIT 495 IN FRONT OF THE TRUCK???!" Spatial awareness, timing, physics. It comes in handy.

[Anonymous]

This is helpful, PP, thank you. I’m sort of at the beginning and just learning what’s what. I think a PT eval is the next step.

“Reaction time” seems to be an apt phrase for us. In your experience is the slower reaction time about the adhd, or is it processing speed or social anxiety something else?

When given a bit of time my DS knows the answers and has opinions but I’m not sure what causes the pausing…confidence, processing? In circle time he gets talked over (understandable) and doesn’t get his thoughts out. He also repeats. Similarly he can catch a ball when it’s just the two of us focused, but freezes in a group.

Part of me thinks this is just being 3; but part of me thinks a diagnosis will come down the line and the more early support the better.

When you start handwriting help? K?

[Anonymous]

If you're seeing a range of issues, it might be worth an appointment with a developmental pediatrician. There can be a wait, so I would look into appointments now.