Diagnosis change
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| Wed, 04-12-2006 - 4:33pm |
UGH, well it wasn't a surprise I guess. It is just what I knew all along but I wasn't looking for a change today.
I was talking to our therapist who has known the kids for over a year. She was concerned with the amount of comprehenion problems, OCD issues, Anxiety, tics, etc that Mike has. She mentioned that he didn't really "fit" aspergers well but was definitely on the spectrum with autism spectrum being his main issue, but these other diagnosis were significant enough to be separate issues as well.
So after much discussion, the single diagnosis that fits him best is autism or HFA, and he also has comorbids of OCD, anxeity disorder, a tic disorder, mood disorder(or mood lability). She never said tourettes specifically or bipolar. I have to have her clear it up some for me at our next appointment. I think she was trying not to freak me out too much. So I guess he coule be alphabet soup with HFA, OCD, anxiety, tourettes, mood disorder and SID.
Now to try and figure out how to approach this with DH. This is not going to go over well and he already doesn't like mine and the kids therapist because she once brought up the possibility that he should look into AS for himself. Not that he was, just that he should look into it. He hasn't liked her since.
OYE VEY
Renee


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Renee, I'm sorry. HUGS Hopefully the new dx's will help get a better handle on how best to help him. Good luck with telling your dh++++++++++++
Samantha
Renee,
Sorry to hear of your new dx's. Bright side: you now know what you're going to be dealing with. I hope the talk with hubby goes well! Good Luck!
Carol
(((((Renee))))) I know you have been describing him for awhile as more Autistic than AS, but it is hard to actaully have to hear someone tell you that.
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(((((HUGS))))) Renee,
Well, and that does make sense with so many thing you have described going on with Mike. Maybe your husband won't have as much trouble just because of therapist, seeing as he's been watching Mike all this time as well as you, and being in the field and all...
Mikey is sure up against alot with all that going on. But he is smart and funny and even likable. And the more his needs are met, as you determine them, the more he will develop, I'm sure. And knowledge is power, and you have always worked so hard to take care of your kids to the very best of your ability!
Is your therapist also a diagnostician? Just curious. Our therapist is not, but she's pretty smart, and I would tend to believe her if she had an opinion about diagnosis or anything else!
Anyways, congrats on the (double-edged) news. And, yes, good luck with telling ds.
Sara
Sending you some cyber hugs......((HUGS))........wish there was more I could do.
Christie
Thanks all.
Yes, our therapist (Sarah, lol) is a diagnostician. She is a clinical psychologist who specializes in ASDs and does alot with kids. She is highly regarded in our area and has spoken at many conferences, published a fair amount of works.
Naturally, like all who specialize in the field, there are those that don't like her. Well, DH already wasn't a fan when she mentioned the possibility of AS for him, then he heard from a psychologist in his district who doesn't like Sarah. That was enough for him. Doesn't matter that the vast majority of people in our area in the field regard her very highly. She knows more about ASD and can explain how it all works in the brain than anyone I have met.
Actually, when DH and I were having the most trouble a few months ago I asked her if I could see her separate from the kids to work on family stuff. Our main problem is communication and DH does have a fair amount of AS type characteristics I was explaining, but she had never met him. She said simply one time that given we have 2 children with AS, AS is highly genetic and because of some of the things I was mentioning it may be prudent for DH to have himself evaluated for AS. He went off the deep end. He has settled since then and is doing better overall but insists he has no ASD traits at all and in fact she is now evil incarnate and anything she says is tainted in his eyes.
I don't think DH will see it. It is particularly hard for him because he is in the field. it took him years a long time to accept that either kid was on the spectrum. Mike was originally diagnosed by a neurologist who is highly regarded in our area for her work with autism, but he had heard negative things within his school district about that neurologist. As such because she diagnosed Mike it took him much longer to accept that diagnosis saying he heard that she overdiagnoses. I think this will be the same type of thing.
Recently, when I have tried to bring up the possibility that autism may be a more appropriate diagnosis the answer I get is "what difference does it make" and I get no further than that. So I am not sure how to address it but I will need to because mike's triennial is coming up and his new medical diagnosis will need to be accurately reflected in the IEP.
Thanks for the support all.
Renee
((HUGS)))
That's a tough thing to hear but I guess it may help Mike get more services and will give his teachers etc. a better understanding of him. To be honest Mike sounds a lot like Ella because a lot of her behavior (crying and tantrums) come from anxiety.She always has to be in control. I can't even read her a book because she has to turn the pages or she has a complete meltdown. She seems to be always on edge like she's waiting to be attacked or something. The therapist and I have no clue really whats going on with her because on the surface she appears"NT" but she is very easily aggitated and has some red flags for autism(sensory)but not enough that she would be given a diagnosis. I think like Mike, Ella is going to be one of those kids whose issues will become more clear over time. Oh, I just can't wait!!!!
Teresa
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Well, right this minute it doesn't make a huge difference but in a year or so it may.
Mike's triennial IEP is next fall. It is at the beginning of 5th grade and after that is middle school. He has an absolutely fabulous teacher now and program but that only lasts through next year and then he will need to change programs.
Also, his triennial information will follow him and help determine his program for the next 3 years. Having an accurate diagnosis will help place him appropriately as well as prepare his teachers and get him the appropriate supports then. We are likely going to push the district to pay for a private special needs school because there are no appropriate placements in district. As such an accurate dx will be important.
Renee
(((((((HUGS))))) Renee.
Still difficult news to process. I hate any change that goes against the plan! ;) It seems like just when you have it all figured out, something is different.
Sam's been melting down daily lately and sooooooo stimmy. Today he was actually playing with his homework instead of doing homework; he can't focus *at all.* It's a bit alarming. I'm hoping that it just the enormous amount of stress with the move and pressures of school, easter coming with all that excitement *and* we just got cable and all those fun kid channels......he's a bit obsessed with the tv which is causing major meltdowns everyday. We have always limited screen time of any kind (why we didn't have cable previously) but it doens't seem to be helping lately. Confirms my one tv, no gaming system rule for sure though!
Fill us in with all the varied complications and nuances as they occur!
Chrystee
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