fiberaddict: (Calvin: Toilet)
[personal profile] fiberaddict
So. We had a conference with Herself's doc today. It actually went pretty well - it helps that he's been her doctor since birth, so he knows her and me, and knows that I don't suggest anything unless I'm pretty sure about it. (Herself was NOT at this conference - she's at school. I figured, no since in upsetting her - we'll deal with this as it comes. She knows she's not....."normal" is not the word I'm looking for here; she knows she's got some problems. I didn't want to add to them, especially not if the doctor disagreed with me)

:sigh: This time, it looks like I was right.....see, I've been thinking for a while that we *weren't* dealing with ADD/ADHD - at least, not entirely. The drugs have helped her focus, but we were still having meltdowns, she lacks organizational skills, she's confrontational, she lacks social skills...other ADD/ADHD parents don't have these problems. And then someone on my FL said that their child was diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder - and I went "AHA!" and headed to google to do some reading.

The probable diagnosis of Herself? Aspergers. In fact, to the doc, it looks like a classical case. He has given me a bunch of names as referrals....so I get to try and figure out who my insurance will pay. :sigh:

This diagnosis, while it makes me feel relieved, is also sad - I mean, you never want to hear that your child has a problem. Especially not one that can't be "cured". But it DOES explain a lot.

The doc also told me that you really don't always get a handle on this type of stuff until now (she's 11) - there's a lot of other things it might be. Also, a lot of ASD kids DO have ADD/ADHD, so we didn't do anything wrong by putting her on Concerta (she would have probably been on it anyway).

We did change her meds, though - we are going to try Adderall, and...something that starts with an "I" to help her sleep. (It's an old-school anti-depressant, on a VERY teeny dosage - ASD children tend to have a hard time sleeping (Check!), so you just about HAVE to put them on something so they can sleep. I was using Benedryl...but it ain't working no more. :Sigh:) When we can get in to the other doctor, her meds will probably be changed again - our doc doesn't deal with ASD - he's medical, not mental - so he didn't want to mess with any of the more typical ASD medications. I'm cool with that - I know he won't prescribe something he's not 100% sure of.

Hopefully, this'll help her cope with life. And help us deal with her better. No, I'm not happy I was right....but at least now I have a starting place to try and help her.

Support from one mom to another

Date: 2008-09-19 07:53 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] knitterkim.livejournal.com
As SheepThrills moms with differently abled kids (mine was correctly diagnosed almost 4 years ago), if you want to talk email me. knitterkim@yahoo.com It's not easy, but it can be way harder than it needs to be.

Kim, aka The Whirling Dervish

Re: Support from one mom to another

Date: 2008-09-20 11:20 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] fiberaddict.livejournal.com
Thanks Kim - I'll be writing you as soon as I get my head together.

Date: 2008-09-20 12:50 am (UTC)
From: (Anonymous)
It's probably time we looked at that too.
sigh

Date: 2008-09-20 11:21 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] fiberaddict.livejournal.com
Yeah...it was a hard thing to admit to myself, but I'd been thinking this for...a few years, now. :sigh: Scary, but I'm hoping I can get her the help she needs.

Date: 2008-09-20 12:11 pm (UTC)
From: (Anonymous)
One of the kindest, gentlest men I know has Ausberger's - he served in the military, is a loving husband and father, is an AMAZING lace (and everything else) knitter, and is an incredibly patient teacher. Getting a handle on Herself now will help so much - you are an incredible mom to have thought that direction and to do somethiung about it!! Hugs, Aubrey

Date: 2008-09-20 11:22 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] fiberaddict.livejournal.com
Thanks, Aubrey - it wasn't an easy thing to even *consider* discussing with the doc, but he's a very patient guy....and agreed with me almost from the get-go. :sigh: Now I'm waiting on the shrink to call me back.

Date: 2008-09-21 11:49 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] starcruzer.livejournal.com
I'm sorry to hear about Herself. I had ADHD (or something like it) as a kid, and it was pretty hard on my mom. There was other chaos at the same time, but me having the equivalent energy of a v-8 engine didnt' help.
Good luck.

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