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.....Then I was even 5 hours ago. Thank you for the comments, support, and guidance. The fact that this has been going on since 18 months of age and the fact that this has been singled out by not only his last 4 teachers but his gym coach as well as a significant problem tells me that this is more than just typical childhood disorganization and inattentiveness.
My dear friend, D, called this morning at a particularly emotional time and got an ear full of tears. I'm feeling like a basket case. Every time I start talking about it I start crying. I really hope this is just PMS exacerbating the problem. D has helped tremendously as her son has almost the exact same issues. She had the name and number of a clinical psychologist. I've called and left a message so I'm well on my way to getting Dreamy evaluated.
I'm no clinical psychologist but after spending over 8 hours on line researching I'm convinced that my son's problems lie somewhere between Asperger's syndrome and ADD. I've been given books and resources. I'll have him officially evaluated to see....but I'm convinced.
After looking up the GFCF and Feingold diets I was completely overwhelmed. This would be a HUGE lifestyle change for us. If we have to....then of course we'll try it....but with the major food issues that Dreamy has already I fear these diets would cause more harm than good. The kid just doesn't eat as it is. The only foods he DOES eat are major no-nos in these diets. He's already incredibly under weight. I'm afraid with these diets he'd wither away to nothing.
After discovering that ADD drug treatment options are in the form of amphetamines I had a major melt down. I have major issues with this. I don't know why. But I do. If his evaluation shows ADD then this will be a last resort measure for us. He is still doing well in school....staying on task, focusing, and switching gears when necessary are a struggle for him for sure....but he is still doing well.
Treatments for Asperger's is limited to behavior therapy. I'm not sure what behavior therapy would involve but that certainly sounds more attractive to me than drugs and diets.
I'll wait and see what his evaluation reveals.
If anyone has any info on this "behavior therapy" please feel free to send it my way as I can't seem to find specific information on line. I have been given a book that I have not read yet...so hopefully there will be some info in there.
Thanks again everyone.
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12 comments:
Good to hear you're feeling better, but beware of placing too much stock in what you read on the internet. Wait to have him evaluated by a professional and see what they say. Sometimes ye olde internet can be a blessing and a curse. :)
Hang in there. You're doing the right thing, trying to get things sorted out and give him every possible advantage. Drugs don't have to be the answer; maybe just some retraining of this thought process and behaviors. He'll get there, don't worry.
I hope you can get in to see the psychologist soon and get on a path to help him reach his full potential. :)
Email me if you need more virtual hugs. I'm always here to listen. :)
What Kate said definately. I dont know much about any of this but I will certainly be praying for you and your Dreamy.
xoxo, Brooke
At least you have a name for it now...a plan always makes me feel better....with a mom like you I know he'll be just fine! God Bless!!
I know this sounds crazy, but it may be that the issues he has with food are related to needing the right kinds of foods. Not to push you, and I have no personal experience, but it's just a thought I had.
Behavior therapy is along the lines of what I was thinking, too. It can be very intensive - taking him 3-4 times a week, even, and it will take time for you to see results, but particularly with your hesitance towards drugs (which I totally get), I think it's the right path for you and your family.
And remember, you may not be a psychologist, but you have a brain and you know your child better than anyone. If, for any reason, you don't connect with the person you're seeing, then keep looking for someone that in your gut you feel gets you and your son. You're an expert on HIM, and you need a team that respects that.
Oh Mama smurf ((hugs)) I wish I had some wonderful words of advice for you. I just don't. I am thinking of you and your sweet dreamy. I hope you get a better idea of what is going on after the evaluation. I'll say a prayer for you guys as well. I just can't imagine having to go through the medication regiment either for having a child with ADD. It's a tough prospect. I hope it never comes to that. Thinking of you.
I went back and read the post before this one, and it seems that the teacher is taking the appropriate steps.
If you don't mind me asking, what are you seeing (besides disorganization, difficulty with transitions) that leads you to suspect Asperger's Syndrome?
Mama Zen -
The connections are loose. But when reading the difficulties these kids have with relating to other people it was like I was reading about my son. He has difficulties socially and tends to be a loner. He does have a couple close friends but generally speaking he does not relate well to other kids and adults. He has difficulty making friends and talking with other people. He's very Awkward and uncomfortable in group settings. His discomfort is often misinterpreted as being "a brat". When adults greet him he will not respond or look at them...they see it as disrespect where I see how uncomfortable these situations make him. He's obsessed with things like knowing all the facts in the world record books....he can tell you things like the height of the tallest man in the world and what the most poisoness spider in the world is.....he's just informed me that the 2008 book is now out. He's obsessed with things like knowing how many miles I get on a full tank of gas...how many gallons I fill the tank with....how many miles it takes to burn one gallon of gas....How many miles I have left before I need to refill the tank....and where the needle on the gas gadge is. He has very bizarre hand flapping that he does when he's uncomfortable....until now, I've always watched him doing that and thought it was just him trying to act goofy....but guess what is listed as a symptom..."bizarre hand flapping"! And he is hypersensitive to EVERYTHING.
There are a few things listed as symptoms that I don't think Dreamy relates to but everything I've read says there is a wide spectum of severity in this disorder.
But then maybe I'm just reading too much into this stuff and should just leave the diagnosing to the professionals.
Okay, I laughed out loud when I read your comment, Mama Smurf, because Lil P is quite obsessed with the Guinness Book of World Records, too. Goodness, I'm glad he doesn't know 2008 is out. Heavens, 2008 isn't even over!
That spectrum is very wide, T. All of us have some behaviors that would show up on a checklist I'm sure. Hopefully, a good evaluation will give you the information you and D need. Hope you get a quick appt.
I wasn't around all weekend to be there to support you... sorry. :(
I am glad things are looking up and can't wait to hear the progress as it goes and it will be progress because Mama Smurf, you're one hell of a mama.
Hugs.
i am so glad you are feeling better about things..... that is really important for you and for your son!
Here's hoping you get in to that specialist soon! ((hugs))
Mama Smurf, I just followed you from Kash's site and certainly you do not know me, but you know some bloggers just butt in whereever.
I do know something about autism/ADD and special diets. Here is one thought, if your son has a limited diet and self limits to dairy and wheat (my son's was grilled cheese) then it can mean that he would be an excellent responder to diet change. I urge you to really give the diet some thought. I cannot overstate how much it changed my son's lives.
Don't over think it, just make some small changes like first remove dairy (just quit buying milk next time you run out). Say you forgot and you will get some next time etc. If you see changes, trust me, it will be worth any initial work.
(This concludes my time for unasked for advice.)
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