just been diagnosed as of yesterday

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-22-2006
just been diagnosed as of yesterday
2
Thu, 03-09-2006 - 1:20pm

I have a son who was just diagnosed yesterday...he is 6 years old and in kindergarten for the second straight year. We all knew that he had AD/HD..and thought that was about it. His WONDERFUL kindergarten teacher fought and fought for the school to test him to see if there was some services that he could qualify for there at school. The testing wasn't anything that his teacher and I were surprised by....they found a significant learning disability with his memory, and with math...a little history. This is his second year in kindergarten and he still doesn't know his ABC's, the song yes..but doesn't know the ABC's. He can count to 15 now, but doesn't know his numbers. He can group them, and count them out...but then forgets. We started doing one letter at a time..and concentrating on it for a week...still, he couldn't get it. So, he was to have special education for 45 minutes in the morning and 30 in the afternoon. They also advised me to take him to the pediatrician and see what he thought of his disabilities, and if medication could/would help him. After the doctor talked to me and observed my son he told me that he also thinks that he has a learning disability and AD/HD...but before putting him on any medications he wanted to get some more testing...and told me to go to a psychiatrist for some psycological testing. That was done yesterday.....they found that yes, in deed he has AD/HD, but that he also has PDD...what type exactly he doesn't know until he scores all the testing and does his report...which will be next week, and I will get the results of that the following week (the week of the 20th). He also said that he thinks that he might have bipolar, but again...wants to wait until he finishes the report to really diagnose him with it. I am at a loss....I always looked at him as a "normal" kid with some issues with his memory and his AD/HD. He speaks fine, and has normal involvement with other children....even though he really can't keep friends very well. They are and then they aren't his friends....but isn't that ALL kindergarten kids??? He hugs me, and his teachers and tells us all that he loves them. He even gave the doctor a hug yesterday after the testing was done. He does have the "lost in his own world" when he colors, and he loves to watch water, and fire, and star wars....and can tell you everything about it. It just amazes me that he knows as much about it as he does...and he hasn't even seen all of it.
I was completly blown away when I got the initial news....and the rest of the family was shocked as well. I don't know what to do...where to go...what to think. I just got married a month ago, and I think my poor husband is freaking out a little bit as well....this is a lot to take in. I just don't know what to do for my baby, for my husband, for myself, his older sister (I also have a 8 year old daughter), and his step-brother (who is the same age as my son)...anyone. I am just at a loss.

heather

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-24-2004
Thu, 03-09-2006 - 6:00pm

Heather,

I just wanted to welcome you to the board. My son, Nathan, is 7 and was dx'd HFA when he was 5 and in preschool. The only delay he had was in his speech, otherwise we didn't notice any big red flags with him. I've learned alot about autism in the past couple of years, and have learned that autism comes in varying levels. In the media, you mostly see and hear the extreme cases. My son's quirkiness isn't always noticeable to others. Although, his autie traits have surfaced more this past year than when he was younger. Now looking back, I do see the autistic traits that he had when he was little...but they weren't real pronounced and seemed mild.

Nathan plays pretty well with his brother, and is also very affectionate. He loves Star Wars (his obsession right now!). He prefers to be alone most of the time, not really wanting any friends. But he's doing fine academically, a bit behind some of his peers...but he's a fast learner. By next year, he may catch up! Nathan "checks out" all the time. He likes being in his own world and "thinking" about Star Wars.

Anyway, congratulations on your marriage! I've been married for 17 1/2 yrs and my dh took the news very hard too. It took him about a year to actually talk to me about our son. He would listen to me talk...but didn't really have conversations about Nathan and autism. I went to all the dr appts. and all the school meetings alone. He has come around, and our older son, Tyler (9yrs old) has and still has difficulty dealing with everything too. It's a big adjustment and does put stress on a family. We just take things day by day...and do the best we can.

This has been a great board for me. I came here when we were in the process of getting Nathan dx'd. There are lots of moms here with experience and great advice.

Welcome to the board!

michelle

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 03-09-2006 - 6:34pm

Welcome Heather,

So sorry for all you have been through with your son. I hope you are able to get some answers that help you with your doctor. Hopefully he begins to learn a little easier soon.

Renee

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