Newly Diagnosed Son... NOW WHAT?

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KimJ
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08 Sep 2007, 7:17 pm

I think she meant that getting a diagnosis is just a step in getting services. Eligibility for services vary from state to state and even within school districts. This is true for Asperger's.
Autism diagnosis is different, being considered a developmental disability. We have opted out of formal services from the state because 1)they wouldn't tell me what they could provide before assessing him and 2)they usually say they have no services appropriate for him. It's a waste of time to fill out paperwork and have tons of interviews for nothing.

In the case of school districts failing to provide services, that's just illegal. They haven't been made to provide them.



equinn
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09 Sep 2007, 10:36 am

A diagnosis of AS/HFA gets the ball rolling. Most districts accept Aspergers as "autism" for an educational label and services are offered under this category--if necessary.

I agree that some kids with AS don't require interventions at school and excel wonderfully. I think it is the comorbidities such as ADHD, BP, OCD, or Depression that complicates things and require the child to take meds which complicates things even more IMHO.

We are overmedicating kids today. 90% of the medications (psychotropic drugs) are distributed to children in US and Canada. What's going on in this country?

Most of these drugs are approved for ages 18 and over. There have been no long term studies to determine efficacy or reassure safety. Still, parents are acquiescing to doctors suggestions and giving these meds to kids.

It is deplorable. Aspergers is unique wiring, different processing inherent in the brain. Not a chemical imbalance (which can't be proven btw). No medication is recommended to treat AS. But, interestingly and to the pharmaceutical companies delight, the comorbid conditions associated with it. What a bunch of malarky. So, theses kids develop a multitude of issues--insomnia, anxiety (increased), stomach aches, racing heart, sweating, depression, increaseed obsessive thougths, strange thoughts, the list goes on. We need to say no to drugging our little ones. That's it.

Too many kids in our country are on a cocktail of meds beginning in grade 1 or preschool! What is it doing to their brains?



RhondaR
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10 Sep 2007, 2:55 pm

equinn wrote:
A diagnosis of AS/HFA gets the ball rolling. Most districts accept Aspergers as "autism" for an educational label and services are offered under this category--if necessary.

I agree that some kids with AS don't require interventions at school and excel wonderfully. I think it is the comorbidities such as ADHD, BP, OCD, or Depression that complicates things and require the child to take meds which complicates things even more IMHO.

We are overmedicating kids today. 90% of the medications (psychotropic drugs) are distributed to children in US and Canada. What's going on in this country?

Most of these drugs are approved for ages 18 and over. There have been no long term studies to determine efficacy or reassure safety. Still, parents are acquiescing to doctors suggestions and giving these meds to kids.

It is deplorable. Aspergers is unique wiring, different processing inherent in the brain. Not a chemical imbalance (which can't be proven btw). No medication is recommended to treat AS. But, interestingly and to the pharmaceutical companies delight, the comorbid conditions associated with it. What a bunch of malarky. So, theses kids develop a multitude of issues--insomnia, anxiety (increased), stomach aches, racing heart, sweating, depression, increaseed obsessive thougths, strange thoughts, the list goes on. We need to say no to drugging our little ones. That's it.

Too many kids in our country are on a cocktail of meds beginning in grade 1 or preschool! What is it doing to their brains?



I just feel that you are SO close minded about medications that no matter what any of us say to you - you're not going to believe it or allow your brain the chance to process what we're saying. I sincerely hope you're never in the position of having to watch your child chew his/her fingers until they bleed because they have so much anxiety, or they are so depressed that they don't want to get out of bed in the morning, even on their birthday or a special holiday. None of that is malarky, and I truly am a little bit offended that you'd insinuate otherwise. You really can't possibly know, and to come here and say otherwise....well, I just think it's overstepping a bit. It's OK to have your own belief system in place with regard to meds, but at least be open to what the rest of us are sharing in our own experiences. None of us are wrong, not you, not me - we're all doing what is best for our children in our set of circumstances.

@Kim - in our state (California) Autism, Aspergers, HFA are all considered "Autism-like behaviors" in the educational system. They are still all considered a developmental disability, but unless the disability has a significant effect on their education, it does not require that the school provide special services. I always thought that the HFA diagnosis would help us to receive some help for our son, and as I've found, it absolutely does not. It's fine though, I am just learning how to help my son on my own.



KimJ
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10 Sep 2007, 4:22 pm

I lived in California, sent my son to school there for several years. Asperger's is not covered by the Lanterman Act as a developmental disability. My son is autistic (those who label say, "High functioning") and was covered by both the Lanterman Act and at school. The state found him eligible for services but when the contractors met him, they had no useful therapy for him. Nothing to help with meltdowns, sensory integration or potty training, which at that time were his big issues.
He got minimal Speech Therapy at school because he's considered "at age range". Many professionals refer him to OT or question why hasn't received OT, but OT's have denied him even an assessment.