Alex's appointment with the Dr . . .

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Registered: 03-25-2003
Alex's appointment with the Dr . . .
8
Fri, 10-29-2004 - 3:16pm
Had the appointment with Alex's pediatrician yesterday - who I loved. REALLY great guy. He listened so intently and really took some time to really stop and observe Alex. Alex did 3 things during the appointment that would be labeled "abnormal" - and the 3 of them together make them even more so. The doctor is confident he has a pervasive developmental disorder. Now, to diagnose the type, the severity, and the treatment. From here, appointments for diagnostic testing. First I take a test answering numerous questions about everything about Alex, they said it will take me an hour to complete. While they are scoring that, Alex will go in for an EEG (is that right? A brain scan, basically), he will have blood work done, and a urinalysis to rule out anything physical or any genetic disorders. After that is completed and my "test" is scored, he will have numerous appointments where he will be observed. Some at a diagnositc facility, and some in our home so they can watch him in our own environment. The Dr. said to not expect to have a definitive answer until FEBRUARY! Kind of frustrating - but we're on our way.

Alex didn't handle the appointment very well. The pediatrician is about 6'6", South African, and very black. Although TT and I have numerous biracial, Puerto Rican, and Syrian friends, we really don't have any black friends that Alex is around. So that was a little surprising to Alex. With HUGE hands (I swear, they were 12" from his wrist to the tip of his fingers). And with a HEAVY accent! He squatted on the floor in front of Alex and said "Ah, you must be Master Alex! I'm Dr! It's a pleasure to meet you, my friend!" and Alex looked like a dear in headlights! LOL! For the first 20 minutes, Alex hid behind me while the doctor and I and my mom (TT wasn't able to go - and I was very stubborn and refused to change the appointment to a later date so that he could attend) talked at length, and then he finally opened up a little bit. I put Alex on the examining table, sat down next to him, and as the Dr. was approaching us, Alex started flapping his arms and basically sounded like he was going to hyperventilate. He was flapping his arms so furiously that he knocked off his own balance and fell back into me. The Dr. examined him, Alex was scared, and then after the examination, Alex stuck his two middle fingers in his mouth, stroked his face with his pointer finger, and rocked himself. The Dr. asked my mom to call him and ask him to come sit on her lap - but Alex was in his trance (which he goes into after every tantrum - numerous times a day) and was completely unresponsive. The Dr. said "if I didn't know better, watching him now I would think he was deaf." EXACTLY. So we continued to talk, we went over his growth charts and talked about the links that scientists have discovered with children who experience rapid growth spurts between 3 and 12 months (and Alex certainly did - at birth he was 7lbs 10 oz - at 3 months he was 19 pounds. At 12 months he was 27 pounds - and not fat - BIG - he was growing rapidly in height, too, but I don't remember those numbers) with children who have pdd. All of the sudden, a plane flew over head, Alex snapped out of it, scrambled down from the table and began pointing out of the window and yelling "BEE! BEE! BEE!" (which is how he says plane) and then from then on he was fine.

Do I feel better? Yes, and no. I spent alot of time last night and off and on today in prayer. I took my mom home after the appointment last night and my dad was there, and he hugged me and said that he knew I was frustrated with the timeline - but to rest assured and HAVE FAITH that Alex is God's child, too. That He loves him. That everything with Alex is in God's hands, in His control, and will happen in HIS time. If it takes until February, God has some sort of reason for that. If it happens faster, God has some reason for that, too. I am taking some comfort in that, and praying helps. TT and I did alot of snuggling last night - and Alex was super happy and in a fabulous mood last night - and we really enjoyed his little antics - STRANGE as they are!

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-02-2003
Fri, 10-29-2004 - 3:59pm
Min, I am SO glad you have found a Dr. for Alex that you like. It all sounds so thorough. I know it can be very difficult and frustrating to have to wait for a diagnosis, (We're going through something similar with one of D's kids) but waiting for a diagnosis is GOOD. It means they are not jumping to conclusions and they are looking at everything thoroughly.

You are right, little Alex is in God's hands, and also in the hands of a good Dr and he has you and TT as his parents. he is truly blessed. :)

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Registered: 10-18-2003
Fri, 10-29-2004 - 5:55pm

Mind if I ask how old he is?


I have a day care child who I would suspect as having PDD.

Kim

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Registered: 12-19-2002
Sat, 10-30-2004 - 12:11pm

Min, prayers for you, your family and little Alex...and the doctors, as you all go through the evaluations.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 11-01-2004 - 7:34am
Mindy, if not to hopefully have you feel better, I don't know if you remember a couple of years back about my son.

He is diagnosed with ADD and the medication has been the best to help him focus and concentrate. When he was about 3, he wouldn't talk. He would point to things or grunt. We new what he wanted and we did for him. He also could behave like he was deaf. In day care, the teachers would pull me aside to tell me that he wasn't "normal". I already new it, but at the same time I was comparing him to "girls". They would tell me that they would drop books behind him and he wouldn't flinch or respond. But, they would also whisper behind him and say something like "do you want candy" and he would fly from his seat. Jimmy also has some big growth spurts. He was 7 lb 14 ounces at birth and 10lbs at 2-weeks. He was above the growth charts every single time we went to the doctors. He's really good at playing all by himself. Even now, he can play with his figures and make some pretty good battles, etc. He also plays extremely well with other children, including his sister and brother. He does have an addictive personality, I found, those dang on computer games. We have to limit him and it's like pulling teeth. He has a nasty temper.

He is and was delayed, but I feel he is doing tremendous in school. He's scoring higher then the other children in his class. I found that he's not too keen on Halloween, he would rather stay indoors. He's also not very outgoing, though the boys in his class thinks he's cool. He's only social when he finds someone that is like him in personality. And, when they do something wrong he "kicks them to the curb" that easy.

He is still very dependent on me. He learned how to tie his shoes last year. He still doesn't know how to cut his own food. He loves carbohydrates like an addiction also - loves breads and any type of pasta, fries, rice, etc. He can eat that all day long if I let him. But again, my Ali, his sister loves meats - no rice or pasta or bread or fries - just meat, nothing else.

Just hold on and do keep your faith. I hope and pray that there isn't anything wrong. Jimmy also had an EEG to help in his diagnosis, along with the schools reports.

Good Luck, Hugs, Marilyn

CL-Entrepreneurial Women

Business Impressions, LLC

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-25-2004
Mon, 11-01-2004 - 9:05am
I send prayers and best wishes. This sounds hard on you. I cannot imagine having to go through something like this with a child.


Edited 11/1/2004 10:15 am ET ET by west1745
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Mon, 11-01-2004 - 10:52am
He is 25 months.

It's already been a huge relief. He is NOT spoiled! And it explains why he is becoming MORE dependent vs. independent.


iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Mon, 11-01-2004 - 10:59am
Thanks to all!

Knowing something is wrong and being able to address it is a TREMENDOUS blessing. We are very relieved and very hopeful about the future! Our oldest was with his dad this weekend - so it was just TT, Alex and I all weekend, and we were able to focus on him and we both agreed - he certainly is a loving, special little boy! :)

Avatar for cl_tcranky1
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Registered: 03-19-2003
Mon, 11-01-2004 - 7:42pm
Mindy

I know it's hard to wait like this but at the very least you have found a doctor you feel comfortable with and there is a plan. Try to take some comfort in that.

I think from the description of that doctor, with those big hands, I'd be scared, never mind a little guy like Alex! ha!

Keep up your prayers and I know you all will be okay.

Hugs

Tara