how do I limit the amount of violence my kids are exposed to?

"Cele" wrote in message
...
On 03 Dec 2004 16:39:46 GMT, oaway (Joelle) wrote:

I think it is a misdiagnosis, because he is more socially adept than
most
children with the condition.

How old is he? Because younger they can "pass" socially but as they get
older,
their eccentries become more noticable and peers become less tolerant.

When you say "most kids with the condition" you are talking bout those you
know- who were more obivious and easier to diagnose. Because there is a
wide
spectrum, those who are further on the spectrum and are able to "fake it"
in
order to get along, (under great stress) are more difficult to diagnose
"Well
he can't have it, he's not as bad as *those* kids". They can be very
intellegent in some areas and so more is expected of them, causing even
more
stress because people don't realize how much effort it takes just to
appearl
"normal"

That's sure the truth. It's really tough for these kids, and they can
become really stressed, because they're very well aware that things
aren't going well socially, and they want to 'fix it' but don't know
how. The skills can be taught though, especially if they're caught
early enough.

He was also diagnosed with OCD. That is a
definate
right on the money diagnosis.

Often occurs with aspergers.

Yup. And Tourette's, and NLD.

and compulsive
about things like smells, germ

Does he seem overly sensitive to smells and taste and complain about how
his
clothes feel?

Sensory processing issues can also show up in putting hands over the
ears, wanting to 'cocoon' into small spaces, squeezing everything
including body parts very tightly, refusing to wear shoes summer and
winter, rocking, repetitive motions, being very fussy about eating and
only being willing to eat certain textures, and...and...and....

Best to all...

Cele

WOW. I am going to do some reading up on this. Thanks for the input.
V

"Joelle" wrote in message
...
Does he seem overly sensitive to smells and taste and complain about how
his
clothes feel?

Yes!
He is so sensitive and swears he can smell lettuce. Is that part of it, as
well?

Yup - its called sensory integration disfunction.

I am certainly going to mention this to his doc. I have saved the above name
and will do some reading up.


I could be in denial, though.

Hey, aren't we all? :-)

LOL...yes, but as you said in another post, there is a fine line between hope
and denial. ;-)
V
The teacher will appear when the pupil is ready.

"Cele" wrote in message
...
snip

Good luck to you, V.

Cele

Thank you so much. It is one day at a time around here and pretty much
everywhere eh?
V

On 05 Dec 2004 13:44:56 GMT, oaway (Joelle) wrote:

I could be in denial, though.

Hey, aren't we all? :-)

No kidding. :-) Who isn't?

It's a very fine line between hope and denial.

It is, that. It's got me through, on occasion, walking that line.

Be well.

Cele

On Sun, 05 Dec 2004 15:39:30 GMT, "V" wrote:


"Cele" wrote in message
.. .
snip

Good luck to you, V.

Cele

Thank you so much. It is one day at a time around here and pretty much
everywhere eh?
V

Pretty much, yeah. I guess if it was easy, we wouldn't learn
anything....

Cele

On Sat, 4 Dec 2004 23:32:29 -0700, "slykitten"
wrote:

Both what Joelle and Cele are saying make complete sense!! See, way too many
symptoms overlap into other possibilities....
My son was at one point diagnosed with ADD.... Then it was ADHD... then it
was schizoaffective disorder..... then it was Mood Disorder.... right now,
the working diagnosis is ADHD with multiple features, Bipolar NOS and
symptoms consistent with PTSD and Mood Disorder...
HUH?!?! gee, aren't those all different names for virtually the same thing?
The kid has mood swings, can become violent, was traumatized, is very
sensitive, etc.
So now, once we get onto medicaid, hopefully a doc that's covered will be
willing to do a more diagnostic workup on this kiddo so we can effectively
treat and manage what's going on with him. I mean, some of the meds he was
on simply didn't make sense. In fact, Until we have a more concrete idea as
to what's going on, medications will probably do more harm than good. My
chiropractor has seen my son for some accupressure and a basic evaluation.
we've discovered that my son's neck was traumatized during his birth and
it's possible (now, keep in mind, this is a theory right now) that his skull
sutures were beginning to seal before he was delivered. We wouldn't know
unless we could get him in for the proper tests.
Anyway.... Thanks! I'll speak with his special ed team about this a little
more in depth.

The special ed team will, if they're good, know about all of the
diagnoses you listed with the exception of PTSD and Bipolar NOS.

My experience is that PTSD, depending on the nature & severity of the
trauma, can mask as *all* of the others, and my personal preference is
to manage the PTSD first. But that's just me. I'd certainly encourage
you to inform yourself about the impact of severe trauma, because the
trust and boundary issues that surface need to be addressed very
consistently to help the child heal before anything else is going to
improve much.

Bipolar, on the other hand, is organic and needs medication. So good
for you for hanging in with trying to get it all figured out.

Best of luck.

Cele

On 05 Dec 2004 13:58:33 GMT, oaway (Joelle) wrote:

My son was at one point diagnosed with ADD.... Then it was ADHD... then it
was schizoaffective disorder..... then it was Mood Disorder.... right now,
the working diagnosis is ADHD with multiple features, Bipolar NOS and
symptoms consistent with PTSD and Mood Disorder...
HUH?!?

It's very frustrating, because in some way, they are all just guessing. And
people (even some here) will blame it on your parenting because they have no
idea what it is like dealing with a kid who sees and reacts to the world
differently.

That is *so* true. And it gets really, really old.

Don't give up. Keep trying and believe in your kid and yourself.

Excellent advice. Just the staying with it means a lot to the kid,
eventually. Eventually they realize that you were there through thick
and thin.

That helps.

Cele

Thanks....
I know all about PTSD because it's something I've been diagnosed with. For
me, talk therapy and animal therapy have done wonders!

--
"Many have forgotten this truth, but you must not forget it.
You remain responsible, forever, for what you have tamed."
~Antoine de Saint-Exupery
"Cele" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 4 Dec 2004 23:32:29 -0700, "slykitten"
wrote:

Both what Joelle and Cele are saying make complete sense!! See, way too
many
symptoms overlap into other possibilities....
My son was at one point diagnosed with ADD.... Then it was ADHD... then
it
was schizoaffective disorder..... then it was Mood Disorder.... right
now,
the working diagnosis is ADHD with multiple features, Bipolar NOS and
symptoms consistent with PTSD and Mood Disorder...
HUH?!?! gee, aren't those all different names for virtually the same
thing?
The kid has mood swings, can become violent, was traumatized, is very
sensitive, etc.
So now, once we get onto medicaid, hopefully a doc that's covered will be
willing to do a more diagnostic workup on this kiddo so we can
effectively
treat and manage what's going on with him. I mean, some of the meds he
was
on simply didn't make sense. In fact, Until we have a more concrete idea
as
to what's going on, medications will probably do more harm than good. My
chiropractor has seen my son for some accupressure and a basic
evaluation.
we've discovered that my son's neck was traumatized during his birth and
it's possible (now, keep in mind, this is a theory right now) that his
skull
sutures were beginning to seal before he was delivered. We wouldn't know
unless we could get him in for the proper tests.
Anyway.... Thanks! I'll speak with his special ed team about this a
little
more in depth.

The special ed team will, if they're good, know about all of the
diagnoses you listed with the exception of PTSD and Bipolar NOS.

My experience is that PTSD, depending on the nature & severity of the
trauma, can mask as *all* of the others, and my personal preference is
to manage the PTSD first. But that's just me. I'd certainly encourage
you to inform yourself about the impact of severe trauma, because the
trust and boundary issues that surface need to be addressed very
consistently to help the child heal before anything else is going to
improve much.

Bipolar, on the other hand, is organic and needs medication. So good
for you for hanging in with trying to get it all figured out.

Best of luck.

Cele

--
"Many have forgotten this truth, but you must not forget it.
You remain responsible, forever, for what you have tamed."
~Antoine de Saint-Exupery
"Cele" wrote in message
...
On 05 Dec 2004 13:58:33 GMT, oaway (Joelle) wrote:

My son was at one point diagnosed with ADD.... Then it was ADHD... then
it
was schizoaffective disorder..... then it was Mood Disorder.... right
now,
the working diagnosis is ADHD with multiple features, Bipolar NOS and
symptoms consistent with PTSD and Mood Disorder...
HUH?!?

It's very frustrating, because in some way, they are all just guessing.
And
people (even some here) will blame it on your parenting because they have
no
idea what it is like dealing with a kid who sees and reacts to the world
differently.

I agree.... this is so true! I'm not sure if you've ever heard of a place
called "Brain Matters" but it's a clinic that specializes in brain
disorders. I use "Brain disorders" collectively. It's a special scan called
a SPECT scan. you can check it out at www.scanyourbrain.com and read in
detail what they do. I'm saving up so I can afford to get my son that kind
of scan. It's highly specialized and to be honest, I think it'll give us a
better idea and understanding as to what's going on with him.

That is *so* true. And it gets really, really old.

Don't give up. Keep trying and believe in your kid and yourself.

Excellent advice. Just the staying with it means a lot to the kid,
eventually. Eventually they realize that you were there through thick
and thin.

That helps.

Cele


It does help.... I have this friend who can't believe that I 'tolerate' my
son's mood swings, etc. She told me, "I'd go nuts! I don't understand how
you do it?" Unfortunately, a kid like my son makes finding a steady job very
very difficult to find. Employers nowadays don't want to hear about family
issues, if you can't get a sitter or daycare then they don't even want to
bother. Locally, I found a job agency that specifically caters to a parent's
needs! the place is called ten til two (www.tentiltwo.com) and it
specifically takes into consideration a mom (or dad's) schedule for the
kids. I contacted them and it sounds like I could be employed as early as
Wednesday of next week! It's at least promising.... =)