Back from neuropsych follow up
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| Tue, 04-25-2006 - 12:07pm |
I feel queasy and like celebrating at the same time; I'm so looking forward to getting Sam the help he needs.
So, Sam (nearly 7, 1st grade AS) had a neuro-psych eval last week during spring break. We went over the results today at a meeting and pretty much found out what we already know about Sam but it's nice to have someone say that we aren't crazy or impatient...etc. So she's giving Sam the additional diganoses of ADHD and reading disabled (ie dislexic, but I guess that term's not really used much anymore.) Can you say comorbid?
I'm slightly bummed just like I was when we got the AS confirmed but happy that I'll be able to nail down the right strategies to get him reading and help with the attention stuff.
She gave us the names of some specific reading programs for Sam. He should be doing one this summer that should be paid by the school (putting on my gloves as I speak) and he could catch up to grade level by the time he starts 2nd grade. She also doesn't think that keeping him back will help any; he needs specific teaching not relearning the same stuff. All this will go into her report which I unfortunately won't get for another month :(
We will also be talking to our Ped about meds which totally freaks me out, but if we can get him on the right regime he will be able to learn more and better. And since we've done all the diet, sensory, consequence, reward strategies that don't help any, I feel confident that this is the way to go. She says to watch out for stimulants because he has some ticky tendencies (itching noise, sniffing, rubbing eyes) I'm hoping our Ped will referr us to her DH who is a well respected child Psychiatrist.....crossing fingers!!!!
I'm curious to see how these interventions will effect the anxiety and AS related behaviors/symptoms. An improvement in impulse control would go a long way in helping him socially.
Wish me luck in dealing with the school with this summer program!
Chrystee


Chrystee,
Well, it sounds like you have things lined up...that's good!! I always hate the waiting around, and the not knowing. Just "knowing" helps tremendously!! Nathan (also in 1st grade) is a bit below the reading level, but he seems to be doing ok. I'm hoping to continue his reading thru the summer, along with other things like math, etc...just to help him out once 2nd grade starts. He goes to ESY during the summer, and they work a little on some of his academics. They have a sensory gym there..so he LOVES that especially!! And it's a great place to work on his social skills too.
Nathan isn't on any meds...infact he's actually a very quiet, passive type. So, I can't give you any advice or even any input on that issue. But I know there are others here on the board who have had experience with meds...so I'm sure they'll chime in here!!
Oh...and good luck on getting to see the child psychiatrist that you're hoping for!
michelle
Chrystee,
Kyle was dx with dsylexia at the time he got the AS dx. I never really saw him as dyslexic even though he was behind in reading in school. He was in resource for reading and had reading goals. Then we went to PT for gross motor and sensory issues. He also had a OT eval (private). The OT said ds was having tracking problems and refered us to a developemental optomitrist. He was fitted with progressive lens and they started tracking exercises during PT sessions. We also started theraputic listening. His reading scores went from below grade level to several yrs above grade level. A lot of kids with ASD have vision problems that aren't detected by a regular eye exam. And the theraputic listening isn't just for sound sensitivity. Its all connected. Just thought I'd share incase you haven't looked at those things yet as a cause for the reading troubles.
Good luck with everything.
Samantha
We did have an eye exam with a developmental opt. this year because I suspected such problems. Alot of the things he saw can be attributed to his developmental delay (not able to see and touch at the same time) but his vision was fine. The exercises he recommended sounded alot like gross motor/OT things, like kicking a soccer ball around cones, playing jacks..etc.....all things that would be difficult for someone who has trouble doing 2 things at once.
This guy didn't take much stock in OT (he was old school) and we had quite a discussion. I didn't bring Sam for vision therapy because it seemed like the problems he saw were things we already knew about and more of an overall exect. functioning thing, not exclusive to vision. Plus I'm not paying out of pocket for something unless I'm sure it's going to do something.
Sam definately seems dyslexic, reversal of letters, not able to pull apart letter sounds and put them back together, not able to hear what he's saying when he sounds it out and realize that he's actually read the word. So, I'm fairly confident that this is the right direction, but those things will be in the back of my mind just in case.
Thanks!
Chrystee
Wow, Hugs on the tough news and how it is always hard to hear this stuff, and congrats on a thorough report and a good plan for what to do next.
Those days are long and tough. Glad you have some answers. Hopefully the school will be supportive.
Renee
((HUGS))
Although it's hard to hear your child has even more issues than just having AS, at least this way you will get the proper treatment to address his problems.Good Luck!
Teresa