Eval Results

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-02-2006
Eval Results
5
Sat, 07-22-2006 - 9:35am

Michael met with Dr. Hoffman yesterday. It was actually very embarrassing. The Dr. met us and walked with us to his office. The minute Michael walked into the office he starting acting in the most bazaar and unusual ways -he was sliding off the chairs and could not sit still. DH kept correcting him and it was difficult to concentrate on what the Dr. was asking. Dr. Hoffman just said that Michael was very excited and showing off a little. Dr. Hoffman is a very sweet and welcoming man. However, we showed the classic signs of Daddy constantly correcting, Mommy telling Daddy to let it go (I knew Dr. didn't mind Michael's behavior) and Michael not listening to anyone.

Dr. Hoffman spoke with Michael throughout his movements. He asked him about school and friends, etc.

Before we knew it, the half hour was over and Dr. Hoffman does not believe Michael has aspergers. He said that we were definitely in the right place though - and he was glad we signed up for the study. He gave us a few examples of why he does not think Michael is an aspie - Michael and Dr. did develop eye contact and Michael engages in imaginative play.

So we continued with the ADHD study evaluations. Michael and I played while being observed and videotaped. Paul and I had to fill out a crazy amount of paperwork (and will have to every week). They tested Michaels IQ - which I can't wait to see the results, although they told us that it was not a comprehensive test at 5, but would pick out the extremely low or high IQs.

DH and I were very relieved last night and hopeful that Michael makes the study and will be in a group that receives parent training classes. (Then again, we could be in the control group - and what good would that do us!) I don't know what I feel now. I do feel the study can benefit us either way, since both ADHD and Aspergers have so many similar traits.

I do realize that time will probably tell us more. DH was never really convinced that we could be dealing with aspergers. I, on the other hand, see many warning signs such as the difficulty in transitions and extreme sensory issues. I have been in contact with the peditrician (she called me from homw and we talked at great length about Michael and the possibility of aspergers) and she has always been extremely open minded and I'm sure that she will continue to monitor him. Michael will see her in September for his physical.

I am curious and interested in some of the physical abnormalities that are sometimes seen with autism. I have read a little about leaky gut, Celiacs and other digestive tract abnormalities. Michael is lactose intollerate - which I figured out myself when he was 2 when I tried him on the Feingold Diet. It was confirmed by the allergist. Even after we eliminated dairy, he still has at least 2-3 BMs a day and it is always a sticky consistency and he has a difficulty wiping. (Or could it be that he eats me out of house and home?) Could these issues be a coincidence or do you think I'm on to something?

I plan on sticking around! I have already learned sooo much for all of you and feel I can only benefit for your knowledge and experience.

Thanks for being here!!!

Kate Mc

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sat, 07-22-2006 - 9:46am

Hey there,

Sorry for the embarrassing appointment. BTDT lots of times. It does eventually get better with age and lots of practice as well as a well planned contract (ie bribe). My favorite was the time Mike hid and crawled under ALL the chairs in the waiting room (including those with strangers in them) and refused to go into the doctors office.

If he has digestive issues you may want to consider using digestive enzymes. Lots of folks have had good results with behaviors and such when using enzymes for kids with digestive issues. I use one by "Rainbow Light" that I love. The one I like is called "Enzymend" but they have lots of different options.

I am glad you are staying.

Renee

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iVillage Member
Registered: 06-25-2003
Sat, 07-22-2006 - 10:11am

Kate,


I am glad you are sticking around.


It is possible for kids to have

-Paula

visit my blog at www.onesickmother.com
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-09-2005
Sat, 07-22-2006 - 11:38am

Hi Kate,


I just got to read your post and I wish I had seen it before you went to see Dr.Hoffman.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 07-02-2006
Sat, 07-22-2006 - 12:51pm

Hi Dee,

Thanks for your post. I'm wondering if we have the same Dr. Hoffman. Ours is Martin Hoffman, M.D. He introduced himself as a pediatric developmental physician. He used to have a ped practice, but his main interests are developmental, so he joined the team at the University of Buffalo (New York)

I agree that the actual testing for Michael does not seem like a lot. I believe our meeting yesterday would have only been preliminary if the Dr. thought it was aspergers. The testing at UB is really based on their study, and they were checking for aspergers because it may have thrown a monkey wrench in the results. The main objective of the 3 year study is to see if parent and teacher training can decrease the need for medication. Through the study they keep a very close eye on the child and have the parents fill out weekly forms. What I find interesting and appropriate is that they have the mom fill out forms and then have the dad fill the same ones out. I'm sure that DH's forms are way different from mine (As DH as not quite sure how many days a weeks Michael was received OT and IT. LOL).

Please do not feel that you burst my bubble. I am still very much on the fence and I appreciate any suggestions from those of you who have BTDT! We are only at the beginning. The study really seems like a positive step because they keep such a close eye on the kids. One of the 3 study groups will receive summer camps next summer and the summer following, which includes sports, swimming and is all about positive reinforcement. They said the games and swimming encourage and help them train social behaviors. I think this program would be good for any child. We will wait to see how it goes and how kindergarten goes. That will tell us a lot.

Thanks to everyone else for your encouragement. No matter the result of the study, we going forward with our eyes wide open.

Kate McC

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-09-2005
Sat, 07-22-2006 - 1:50pm

Ooops,


there I go making assumptions again.

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