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I don't know how much more I can take.

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draelynn
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18 Feb 2012, 11:52 pm

angelalala wrote:
SO; here's my update on where my kiddo's at:

He still has no diagnosis. He has a new pediatrician, who thinks he will probably be diagnosed with ADHD or another disorder at "some point", but he referred me to a specialist. That specialist doesn't do evaluations and referred me to another agency. I feel like I'm running in circles.

His tantrums/meltdowns have improved a lot, or at least we've been able to circumvent them more effectively? I can tell when he's getting worked up and have been trying to work on him communicating his needs with me, which works sometimes better than others.

Preschool isn't going as well, though. His teacher says he's very advanced academically, but the furthest behind socially/maturity-wise. I've watched him interact with the other kids, and just observing the other kids, he's just not where they are at all. He tries to make friends but he's so socially inappropriate: he's up in people's faces, says weird things, repeats weird things, etc. Kids basically just think he's strange. I always had (have) trouble making friends, but it's more of an issue of coming off as shy/cold/aloof. He's got more of the golden retriever approach.

I didn't care so much about diagnosis before, but I really hope this agency gives him an AS/HFA diagnosis because there are social skills classes in our area that I think would be the best therapy for him. That and OT for his sensory issues (sensory time is included in the social skills classes, though). Ugh. It's hard to be taken seriously if someone's more. . .borderline, I guess, than a clear-cut case.


Have you asked the school district for a full psychoeducational evaluation in writing? Specifically ask that your son be evaluated by the autism specialist. Ask the preschool teacher to document her observations in writing and tell her why you need it - that will tell her how to say what needs to be said. how they explain things to a parent is not the same as reporting for educational evaluation. I had many of the same problems with my academically 'fine' daughter. You just need to stay on them... with a smile. don't be afraid to go back over and over if his issues are not being addressed. Educational needs are NOT the only needs required to be addressed by law. His social and emotional development is also required to be addressed according to the IDEA law.

You just need one piece to fall into place and the others will follow through. If an agency dx's him - the school will look closer. If the School writes him an IEP and doctor will pay closer attention. If a doctor dx's him, the agency will start setting up appointments for intake... It's sad, but it really does seem to work that way. No one wants to be the first to dx - I think - because of all the talk in the autism community about over dxing Asperger's and the like. Schools just don't want to spend the money. Agencies are overburdened, underfunded and understaffed. It is a battle but just keep at it.



liloleme
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19 Feb 2012, 7:35 am

Its kind of sad that the last time I posted on this thread my son was still alive and clean. He was clean up until the early morning hours of August 15th when he, obviously according to his autopsy report, was off his bi polar meds and od'ed on Heroin. The first time he used again after two years clean. My parents have his ashes until they can bring them to me but I wear a necklace with a small amount of his ashes. It is a Mommy dolphin with a baby swimming under her. On the back it says "My Sunshine" in Latin. I used to sing that song to him and he would put his hands over my mouth when he was about a year old so I thought it was both fitting and a bit of our type of humor that we shared :).



Eureka-C
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20 Feb 2012, 12:31 pm

angelalala wrote:
His teacher says he's very advanced academically, but the furthest behind socially/maturity-wise. I've watched him interact with the other kids, and just observing the other kids, he's just not where they are at all. He tries to make friends but he's so socially inappropriate: he's up in people's faces, says weird things, repeats weird things, etc. Kids basically just think he's strange. I always had (have) trouble making friends, but it's more of an issue of coming off as shy/cold/aloof. He's got more of the golden retriever approach.


:D That's the perfect phrase! It describes my son so well. "the golden retriever approach." I love it. :D



bethaniej
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20 Feb 2012, 1:58 pm

Wanted to say thanks woodpecker for responding as an asd adult who is managing life well. I'm not the originator of this thread, but as a parent I have to agree with this mom and dw mom. It can be hard to see the forrest for the trees. There are times I really worry about my own daughter's future.

Bethanie