Hi...new here

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Hi...new here
4
Wed, 09-06-2006 - 12:33pm
Hi everyone,
I'm new here. I have a 10yr old son who has been diagnosed in the past with ADHD and speech disorder and just yesterday had a meeting with the school and found out from them and the forms we filled out and their testing he most likely has Aspergers also. I've kinda suspected this all along but am feeling really overwhelmed right now. We have an IEP set up and it will take effect soon. He's doing fairly well in fifth grade but it's early. I also have a five yr old who I suspect may also have the same problems. He just started kindergarten and is already receiving speech services. I tested them both over the summer for heavy metals and they both came back as high so we are doing natural supplements to help with that for now. I don't even know where to begin as far as following up with a doctor for them or behavioral specialist. I also have a three month old daughter and will be starting back to work soon so I just don't know how I will do all of this.
Any advice?
Thanks, Amy
Nurturedheartmom

Amy -

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-25-2003
In reply to: alk27
Wed, 09-06-2006 - 3:09pm

Amy,


I have to run out the door, so this is a short post. I will get back with a more comprehensive answer later.


I think you sound a bit overwhelmed right now, and I understand that. Please use this board as a 'safe haven" -a calm in the eye of the storm. There are many people here who are knowledgable and very, very supportive.

-Paula

visit my blog at www.onesickmother.com
Avatar for betz67
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
In reply to: alk27
Wed, 09-06-2006 - 8:18pm

Hi Amy,

Glad you found us! I don't have much advice, just hang in there and listen to these ladies-- they're a wealth of info. I have a son with autism that's in the 5th grade. We finally got a Dx when he was 8. He had speech therapy and lots of sensory issues and we suspected for a long time that he was on the autism specturm, but getting the news from a professional was rather unsettling and difficult. My son is doing great w/ his own special program at school and making huge gains in his speech, socialization and academics.

Betsy

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-16-2006
In reply to: alk27
Wed, 09-06-2006 - 9:38pm
Hi Amy,
I was new to all of this back in April. My son is only 3 and had all this fall into my lap as well.
My best advice to help weed thru all the insanity is one day at a time. Consult your pediatrican for advice on who to contact. Every state is different when it comes to getting the appropirate help you need.
Look up your state gov. website and use a search engine.
When my son got his dx I had his pyciatrist write me a checklist of "homework" I needed to do to get him services.
Luckly we caught ours early so we had early intervetion start us off.
Adam currently gets 3x per week preschool based in a "mixed" enviorment of dx and non dx kids. We also get OT and speech thru school and working on getting out patient OT and speech 2x per week each as prescribed.
I know how overwelming it is. I felt like I wanted to die.
This is where you can let it all out. We are here for you.
Best wishes
nora
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-11-2003
In reply to: alk27
Thu, 09-07-2006 - 10:09am

Hi Amy. Welcome to the board.

I have an 11 yr old son with AS and a 8yr old daughter with anxiety. They both have heavy metals. We were working on the supplements and heavy metals on our own for a long time but just recently took dd to see a DAN! NP. If you want to work with a doctor for the heavy metals you can look for a DAN! here http://www.autismwebsite.com/ari-lists/danus.html You don't have to have a DAN! though. There is a lot you can learn and do on your own. I use the autism-mercury yahoo list and the enzymes & autism yahoo list a lot. We are also working on diet which seems to be helping. We are going to be doing the SCD diet but are easing into it. I don't think we'll be fanatical about it though.

I'm glad the school is giving him an IEP. If you need help in that area Steph at the IEP board here at ivillage is wonderful.

Try to take things slow and easy so you don't get overwhelmed, which is easy to do.

Samantha

Samantha