some disheartning news today....

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-22-2006
some disheartning news today....
4
Mon, 03-20-2006 - 8:55pm

I haven't been here in about a week or so, last week was my kids spring break and I spent all my time with them...
Anywho, I went to my ds's doctor today for the actual paper results of his testing....the ones from where they tallied all the different tests they did on him....and I was already told that he has AD/HD and PDD-NOS...but that was it. Well, he has 4...count them 4 different diagnoses!!!! I was so surprised and shocked that I actually started to cry. That poor phycologist didn't know what he was in for...hahahaha. Here are the tests that my ds took and what the doctor says is wrong.

TESTS:
clinical Interview
behavioral observations and available records
scales from D-KEFS (executive function system)
scales from children memory scale
conners' continuous perfomance test II
WISC-IV
WRAT3
HTP (projective personality test)
scales from self-report and projective inventory
beck youth inventory
devereux scale of mental disorders
autism behavior checklist
DIAGNOSIS:
The constellation of the identified problem areas suggers a relatively wide range of diagnostic altervatives, to include percasive developmental disorder, ADHD, learning disorder and emerging signs of disruptive behavioral disorder
DIASGNOSTIC IMPRESSIONS:
Axis I : 299.80 pervasive developmental disorder NOS
314.01 attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, combined type
315.9 learning disorder NOS
312.9 disruptive behavior disorder NOS
Axis II: V71.02 no diagnosis on Axis II
Axis III: deffered to the physician
Axis IV: academic difficulties and peer relations
Axis V: GAF:45

I don't know where to start, what to do, where to go....I am at a complete loss. I did call the pediatrician to get him in and see about medications, and what he thinks of the reports...and I also called and brought a copy of the report to the diagnostician at his school, and she is going to show it to the psychologist there and see what she has to say, and that will be tomorrow. But as for what to do at home....I just don't know what to do and where to go. I guess it will just take a few days for me to think it over and figure out what my game plan is! Also, the doctor told me to try and get SSI for him...that he will qualify for services....but the question that I have for that is...is there an income restriction....guidelines kinda thing. I know with my new husbands income that we wouldn't qualify....but do they also go buy his income...or just mine and the child support that I receive from his father??? My husband doesn't carry any insurance on my son, and I honestly don't know if my dumb ex does or not.....haven't received a card from him...even though he says "it's in the mail".

heather

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-26-2005
Mon, 03-20-2006 - 10:29pm
Heather,
(((HUGS)))
I remember being very overwhelmed when I got the "official record" from the deveelopmental ped after my son's diagnosis. Hang in there, you'll get through it.
Teresa
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 03-20-2006 - 11:10pm

First, (((HUGS))))

Second, it isn't uncommon to have different things listed under the different axis. Honestly it confuses me but it is a common thing, however, what is mentioned here really all falls under the PDD-NOS heading. Some doctors do break it down into the different diagnosis in order to better describe a specific child and what thier particular needs are. Others will list only the main diagnosis and then perhaps have a long report listing various areas of need and test results but what you have listed is a common profile for a child with PDD-NOS. Often there is ADHD type behavior and learing issues.

My kids have both had ADHD diagnosis in the past as well numerous other diagnosis. These are just labels to help us figure out what thier needs are. It isn't all of them and who they are as a person.

I think on the plus side it seems this doctor was very thorough and put alot of effort and thought into this testing and report. This will be a good tool to use to help figure out how to best meet your sons needs even if it is a bit shocking right now.

Renee

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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-06-2005
Tue, 03-21-2006 - 7:25am

Heather,

About MA (Medical Assistance)--as of now, there is no income restriction. It doesn't matter what insurance you or your husband or your ex have. As I understand it, the MA kicks in to pay whatever other insurances don't cover. Your son has the diagnosis and that's what qualifies him for MA. What you need to do is get the forms from your services cooridinator for EI or the IU and file them ASAP. On the income part of the form, you just fill it out as completely as you can, and with that form enclose a copy of the Dr's written RX and Diagnositic Info. It's the diagnosis that qualifies your son for MA not your income. However, there is legislation pending in some states to change that, so I would get that MA card as soon as you can (if the legislation does change, there is talk of "grandfathering" in existing patients into the system, but no one knows what's going to happen). Now for SSI, I'm not sure about income restrictions for that since it's income that comes directly to you as the parent to spend as you need, but for medical costs (i.e. docs appts, therapy interventions that the school system doesn't cover, Therapeutic Shadow Support (TSS), and perscriptions) these will fall under the heading of Medical assistance and will be paid directly by the State.

I know it so scary and confusing, but the important thing is that your son is still wonderful and loveable and the same...he just has a label (which may or may not fit him in the future) that will assist in getting him the best services to help him reach his potential. Try not to get upset over that label. He is so much more than that, I promise...

And to second Renee, it does sound like you have a thorough and caring Dr, which is such a great thing!

Good luck,
Gemma

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-12-2004
Wed, 03-22-2006 - 7:06am

In looking at the diagnoses, I think they all kind of go hand in hand. Disruptive behavior goes hand in hand with ADHD, because by nature ADHD causes disruptive behavior, LOL! I also think, from my observation of my own son, that ADHD in a way "causes" PDD NOS. Not meaning that all kids with PDD NOS are ADHD, but it seems like with my own son, when his meds are working and the ADHD symptoms are under control, the PDD NOS symptoms are much less prevalent, as well. The Asperger's is even less noticable, although still there. When the kids are stressed out, the symptoms become more pronounced, and ADHD is pretty stressful because ability to manage all the "input" is impaired. I'm never surprised to see ADHD and PDD NOS together.

My understanding of PDD is that it's like a range of symptoms and someone affected may have a little of this and a little of that, so it's not unusual for someone with PDD NOS to have more than one dx.

It is shocking at first, and so discouraging. However, these dx do change over time as the kids get older. When my son first got dx, they also said he had ODD (which I personally think is a very damaging label for how it affected my feelings toward my son). Now he doesn't really display ODD in the same way. I don't see it as much, and the second doctor did not mention it.

Take some time to process the information and take a lot of deep breaths. It will be okay and you will get the tools you need to help your child be successful.

Kelly