I agree with the above. I would try an OT evaluation first and then go to the full neurophysiological exam if needed.

Maybe you can schedule a meeting with an OT and they can do an evaluation? Give you a feeling of if full neuropsych is needed.

I think you are right to keep pressing for answers. Did he learn to ride a bike OK? Do you get the feeling this is more physical or more cognitive?

Anonymous wrote:This is processing for sure. You should seek a neuro psych exam independently from the school as those have limitations. These can be quite costly so try and get on WL at KKI and children's but that could take a year plus. I'd really try to get a private evaluation if you can afford it. In the meantime I'd get a speech and language evaluation and an OT evaluation. A child going into MS should be able to use a ladder to get in and out of the pool even if always helped to do it.

Did the pool have a ladder? I thought the description meant pulling himself up at the side of the pool, using his arms, then either kneeling or sitting on the edge before standing. (Awkward description, I know.) If so, this could be about insufficient upper body strength, or difficulties planning and carrying out a relatively complex task requiring gross motor skills. In any case, most kids his age would be able to do this. I think the recommendations are good ones, especially OT, which isn’t routinely done. I would also recommend KKI.

This is processing for sure. You should seek a neuro psych exam independently from the school as those have limitations. These can be quite costly so try and get on WL at KKI and children's but that could take a year plus. I'd really try to get a private evaluation if you can afford it. In the meantime I'd get a speech and language evaluation and an OT evaluation. A child going into MS should be able to use a ladder to get in and out of the pool even if always helped to do it.

Wondering if it could also be something like auditory processing disorder

Anonymous wrote:Op here. I’ve requested developmental pediatrics referral, specialist referalls, I have asked about autism, I was told things like not all children are “athletically inclined” and that clumsiness didn’t qualify, “sometimes it just takes time to figure out how he learns”. But I continue every year to see what I can determine from the school and medical side. It’s just finally I hav the school willing to do an IEP evaluation and now I cant seem to get a pediatrician on board for further evaluation. Neuropsychologist aren’t covered by our insurance.

I just feel like I’m out of options in a way.

For the pool situation, it is something I really don’t know if he had ever tried on his own before. I know instructors have always helped with getting up onto side when you jump in from seated positioning. Then I am hit with the realization again, if what is he capable of vs. what do we just hop in and help him with and does that mean he hasn’t learned it properly.

Milestones were not a problem, and a lot of the verbal side wasn’t that he didn’t have the words for what he wanted to say, it was doctors who would say it’s a timid, shy, kid, common response path. He will talk and does talk when he wants to. Many responses of how they see children every day and this was all within the range of nothing concerning .

I also struggle if maybe I’m looking too deeply and this is all a part of development.

It does not sound normal to me. I think you are right to seek expert advice. It sounds like some kind of visual or spatial processing or motor planning disorder.

Is he able to do jigsaw puzzles?

My DD has non-verbal learning disability. She does not process things visually. She understands verbal or written instructions and processes but does not remember or understand a visual cue, your light switch example reminds me of this as my DD does the same, even though she has turned the light out many times before. I have to actually say “flip the switch next to the door to the down position.” She is highly verbal - sometimes the nonverbal name is confusing. Kids with NLD are often socially anxious because the normal way that most people take in information, especially social cues and dynamics does not come naturally to them.

I would get a full neuropsych evaluation and an OT evaluation for fine and gross motor skills.

Op here. I’ve requested developmental pediatrics referral, specialist referalls, I have asked about autism, I was told things like not all children are “athletically inclined” and that clumsiness didn’t qualify, “sometimes it just takes time to figure out how he learns”. But I continue every year to see what I can determine from the school and medical side. It’s just finally I hav the school willing to do an IEP evaluation and now I cant seem to get a pediatrician on board for further evaluation. Neuropsychologist aren’t covered by our insurance.

I just feel like I’m out of options in a way.

For the pool situation, it is something I really don’t know if he had ever tried on his own before. I know instructors have always helped with getting up onto side when you jump in from seated positioning. Then I am hit with the realization again, if what is he capable of vs. what do we just hop in and help him with and does that mean he hasn’t learned it properly.

Milestones were not a problem, and a lot of the verbal side wasn’t that he didn’t have the words for what he wanted to say, it was doctors who would say it’s a timid, shy, kid, common response path. He will talk and does talk when he wants to. Many responses of how they see children every day and this was all within the range of nothing concerning .

I also struggle if maybe I’m looking too deeply and this is all a part of development.

Sounds like a motor planning problem.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you mean like there's a physical task he normally can do and then one day he suddenly can't? Or that he never can do certain things?

Op here. I wouldn’t say he’s declining but I also wonder if having someone step in to help when he struggled with things has left him a bit unable to do it for himself too. I worry about that aspect of day to day, oftentimes when he was confused by something we would step in and help him essentially doing the “job” but giving him credit for it. In hindsight, the same was happening and still is happening at school. I recently called to see if he had packed his sandwich in his lunch box, his teacher went to check and rather than have him confirm, confirmed for him.

I wonder if he’s not been given enough independence to learn how but because he struggled with things, I believe we all assumed we were helping him not hindering him.

I just can’t narrow down.

I have asked two sets of different pediatric groups for referrals and assistance to no avail outside of that initial evaluation. Because it happens at home and at school, I don’t know if it is possibly social anxiety, which is usually the only thing the doctor will mention if anything.

It does sound like anxiety is part of this. But is it like some days he can get out of the pool on his own and some days he can't? Or more like he never could and he hasn't developed the ability over time?

How is his handwriting? Does he do any sports, and does he play actively on the playground, ride a bike, go in the pool for fun, etc? Basically how is his fine and gross motor overall.

Have you asked to see a developmental pediatrician?

Anonymous wrote:Do you mean like there's a physical task he normally can do and then one day he suddenly can't? Or that he never can do certain things?

Op here. I wouldn’t say he’s declining but I also wonder if having someone step in to help when he struggled with things has left him a bit unable to do it for himself too. I worry about that aspect of day to day, oftentimes when he was confused by something we would step in and help him essentially doing the “job” but giving him credit for it. In hindsight, the same was happening and still is happening at school. I recently called to see if he had packed his sandwich in his lunch box, his teacher went to check and rather than have him confirm, confirmed for him.

I wonder if he’s not been given enough independence to learn how but because he struggled with things, I believe we all assumed we were helping him not hindering him.

I just can’t narrow down.

I have asked two sets of different pediatric groups for referrals and assistance to no avail outside of that initial evaluation. Because it happens at home and at school, I don’t know if it is possibly social anxiety, which is usually the only thing the doctor will mention if anything.

Do you mean like there's a physical task he normally can do and then one day he suddenly can't? Or that he never can do certain things?

I’ve posted in Elementary kids as well. Hoping to get additional feedback in this forum.


He’s always been very quiet and timid. At one point, around age 6, he was evaluated for selective mutism and deemed slow to warm instead.

Over the years his personality/temperament remained the same. In a classroom setting he was allowed to work in small groups and teachers would notice he would only engage in those groups and with those friends. In an effort to keep him progressing socially, even when he tested out of say a reading level small group, they allowed him to stay and used it for socializing.

He’s now going into middle school and small group socializing is still happening but one on one instead with the teachers and that is where they say he is most social.

I’ll notice when he’s asked to do something he seems unable to do it physically. He was to cut the icing packet on toaster strudel the other day and seemed to not know how to hold the scissors to make the cut (fingers right where the blade tip could cut your fingers instead). Other examples include when he’s getting dressed in the morning, putting on pants on top of his pajama shorts and going the entire school day with both pairs on.

I asked him to turn off the porch light this morning as he was by the door and he just looked and said it was on. He seemed somewhat unsure of what to do. Common occurrences like this where he seems out of place for his age or ability or unsure of a situation that happens every day for years.

He will ask where to place his socks before a shower when the daily routine is to put dirty clothes in the hamper and socks in a sock bin beside the hampers.

Another recent example was at an indoor pool he seemed unable to get out of the side of the pool. He’s taken swimming lessons for a few years now and the instructor had to push his bottom up for him and explain how to push up with his arms.

I requested an IEP evaluation thru the school and they plan to do one this summer.

Doctors do not feel it’s adhd. They have said maybe a little social anxiety but much of this is a home setting with the same family members for over ten years now and every week day school setting with the same class and teachers.

I’m at a loss and worried that I’m running out of options. I bring this up to every pediatrician and they just essentially shrug it off as nothing of concern. It just feels like it’s something needing attending to, to me.

The unfamiliarity of common situations and inability to physically complete common tasks, what may that be exactly?